USABO: About the Exams

Schedule and General Information

Eligibility

Only citizens of the USA and legal permanent residents can participate in the USABO.

Home schooled students are invited to participate in the USABO, but arrangements must be made with local high schools for receiving and administering the examination. Such arrangements must be made before the close of registration. Home schooled students are responsible for the $75.00 registration fee.

NOTE: The registration fee of $75.00 per school must be paid by check or credit card. Access to the open examination open examination will not be available until payment has been received in the CEE office.

Schedule

USABO Open Exam:

This is a 50 minute, teacher administered, multiple choice exam that can be given during or after school. Students take the exam with pencil and Scantron answer key.

The exam will be accessible through a password sent via email to the school address. A teacher can then produce the number of exams required. Scantron sheets will be mailed to the teacher at the school for each registered student. Scantron sheets will not be mailed to home addresses.

Registered schools return the Scantron answer sheets and student / teacher certifications to the Center for Excellence in Education. Exams received after 26 February 2010 or without certification will not be graded. Please send the exams as soon as possible after administering the exam.

Students who are named as Semifinalists are eligible to take the second-round exam. These results will be posted on the Teacher Resource Center (TRC) website using ID numbers rather than names. Please access the results using the same password used for the Open Exam.

USABO Semifinal Exam

The Semifinal is a two hour exam consisting of three sections. The exam is administered at school by a licensed teacher. Students use a pencil, Scantron answer sheet, and the test booklet to take the exam.

The exam will be accessible through a password sent via email to the school address. A teacher can then produce the number of exams required. Scantron sheets will be mailed to the teacher at the school for each registered student. Scantron sheets will not be mailed to home addresses.

Documentation letters for students and teachers and the semifinal exam itself will be posted to the Teacher Resource Center. It will be accessible through a password sent to each registered teacher/school. Schools will receive Scantron sheets by mail.

Part A of the Semifinal Exam covers basic knowledge in a multiple choice format (approximately 40 minutes). Parts B and C consist of higher level questions with multiple answers, interpretation of graphs, analysis of data, case studies, fill in the blank questions and some open response questions (approximately 80 minutes). A student must pace him/herself over the three sections.

Two weeks are permitted for administering the semifinal exam to avoid conflict with spring vacations.

Scantron Answer Keys and Certifications from the students and teacher are returned to the Center for Excellence in Education. They will not be accepted with a postmark after 29 March 2010. Without the certifications the exams will not be graded. We encourage you to mail the exams as soon as possible after completion.

All National Finalists are posted to the Teacher Resource Center (TRC) website, media announcements are released and schools, and teachers are officially notified.

National Finalists will be asked to affirm the following:

1. availability to attend the National Finals,
2. availability to attend the International Biology Olympiad, if selected
3. non-participation in other 2010 Olympiads,
4. and citizenship/visa status.

National Finals at Purdue University:

Students are responsible for transportation to and from the USA Biology Olympiad National Finals. Room and Board are provided by CEE. Students with financial need should contact CEE should assistance be required. Laboratory investigations and USABO lectures and discussions are conducted by professors, all with Ph.D.’s, all experienced in undergraduate instruction, all renowned researchers in a biological discipline. Laboratory experiments are similar to those of a third year undergraduate. Evenings consist of tutoring, study, the distinguished lecture series and unstructured time. Counselors and lab assistants, all former IBO medalists, and the CEE academic advisors live in the dorm with the finalists.

If a student breaks any one of the rules made in the USABO agreement, the student will not receive a certificate of participation or a medal. Finalists will be re-ranked accordingly.

Anticipated National Finals Laboratory Schedule

NOTE: Order of laboratories may change.

International Biology Olympiad:

July 11-18, 2010

International Biology Olympiad in Changwon, Korea. Information and agenda can be found at: http://www.ibo2010.org/

"The Center for Excellence In Education is doing a wonderful service to both the nation and its students by providing the Biology Olympiad. Not only are the competing students given a truly unique educational experience, but the United States itself gains respect and admiration when we are able to do well." - Mr. Brad Hargreaves, IBO Gold medal winner