GRE Biology Syllabus

The GRE Biology test consists of multiple-choice questions. For every question, you will have five response options from which you have to pick the right one. 

As per ETS, the test yields three subscores with the total score. The detailed syllabus of the Biology paper is given below:

Cellular and Molecular Biology (33-34%)

1. Cellular Structure and Function (16-17%)

• Biological compounds
• Enzyme activity, receptor binding, and regulation
• Cytoskeleton: motility and shape
• Cell cycle: the growth, division, and the regulation including the signal transduction.
• Major metabolic pathways and regulation
• Membrane dynamics and cell surfaces
• Organelles: structure, function, synthesis, and targeting
• Microscopy, separation, and immunological methods

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1. Genetics and Molecular Biology (16-17%)

• Genetic foundations
• Genome maintenance
• Genome sequence organisation
• Chromatin and chromosomes
• Gene expression and regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
• Recombinant DNA methodology
• Gene expression and regulation: effects
• Immunobiology
• Bacteriophages, animal viruses, and plant viruses

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Organismal Biology (33-34%)

1. Animal Structure, Function, and Organisation (10%)

• An integration and the control mechanisms of nervous and endocrine systems.
• Metabolic rates (temperature, body size, and activity)
• Behaviour (communication, orientation, learning, and instinct)
• Exchange of the nutrients or salt or water, gas, and energy with the environment.
• Internal transport and exchange.
• Support and movement systems.

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1. Animal Reproduction and Development (6%)

• Reproductive Structures
• Meiosis, gametogenesis, and fertilisation
• Early development (e.g., polarity, cleavage, and gastrulation.
• Developmental processes for example induction, differentiation, determination, morphogenesis, and metamorphosis.
• External control mechanisms (e.g., photoperiod)

1. Plant Structure, Function, and the Organisation, with an Emphasis on Flowering Plants (7%)

• Organs, tissue systems, and tissues
• Water transport, including absorption and transpiration
• Plant energetics (e.g., respiration and photosynthesis.
• Phloem transport and storage
• Mineral nutrition

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1. Plant Reproduction, Growth, and its Development, with an Emphasis on Flowering Plants (5%)

• Meiosis and sporogenesis
• Gametogenesis and fertilisation
• Meristems, growth, morphogenesis, and differentiation
• Reproductive structures
• Embryogeny and seed development
• Control mechanisms (e.g., hormones, photoperiod, and tropisms)

1. Diversity of Life (6%)

• Protista
• Archaea
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Animalia with emphasis on major phyla
• Plantae with emphasis on major phyla

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Ecology and Evolution (33-34%)

1. Ecology (16-17%)

• Environment/organism interaction
• Population ecology
• Community ecology
• Behavioural ecology
• Ecosystems

1. Evolution (16-17%)

• Genetic variability
• Macroevolutionary and microevolutionary processes
• Evolutionary consequences
• History of life

The various types of questions which have been asked from the subscores are distributed in the paper. The GRE Biology questions are not set aside and are labelled separately in the test.

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How to Prepare for the GRE Biology Subject Test?

To prepare for the GRE Biology is the crucial aspect in excelling in the test. A student becomes flawless after practising regularly for the exam. Some test methods and a good knowledge of an effective GRE Subject Test biology suggestions will help you in confronting the paper with more convictions and get the highest scores.

Considering your revision notes and some previous year's GRE biology prep, there are a number of ways that will prepare you for the GRE Biology test. Here are some of the recommendations that you must keep in mind while preparing:

• Follow the official GRE booklet provided for the test. This will get you an idea of what you can expect through the exam.
• Go through some GRE biology prep books, it will help you in preparing for the exam.
• Practice the previous year's GRE Biology papers. This shows you which type of questions are generally asked in the exam.
• Search for various types of study material and GRE biology book as it is a collection of your every question.
• You can also appear in some online GRE tests to know where you stand. 

Best Preparation Books for GRE Biology Test

The following is the list of some best GRE biology prep book that will help you in facing the GRE Biology Subject Test:

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