USA Biology Olympiad

★More than 10,000 students participate every year

★Beneficial for applying to science majors in top universities

★Outstanding students will have the chance to attend top science programs

★Guide students to dive deeper into the world of biology

Introduction

The Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) was founded in 1983. Nurturing careers of excellence and leadership in science and technology in young scholars was an essential investment into America’s global future. CEE’s programs help keep the US competitive in science and technology, furthering international collaboration among leaders of the world. CEE challenges students and assists them on a long-term basis to become the creators, inventors, scientists, and leaders of the 21st century.

USA Biolympiad (USABO) is the nation’s most prestigious biology education and testing program for high school students. The USA Biolympiad (USABO) stimulates young scholars’ intellectual curiosity and develops their critical thinking in laboratory skills and biological reasoning to propel them to excellence and leadership in science and technology.

The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) enriches the life science education of nearly 10,000 talented students annually. It provides the motivation, curricular resources, and skills training to take them beyond their classroom experience to a level of international competitiveness.

In 2024, for the first time, the USA Biology Olympiad is authorized to be organized in Vietnam by GENIUSSTAR company (Singapore).

Rules and Regulations

  1. Students are allowed to use a basic scientific calculator that has no memory feature.
  2. Structured with multiple choice questions with one response. NO Penalty for guessing.
  3. Only students who register for a USABO ID# and complete their registration with AoPS before the exam will be able to see his/her Open and Semifinal scores using his/her unique USABO ID.
  4. USABO requires that all students sign and date their online exam certificate forms provided prior to the online exams to certify their identity, acknowledge their participation in the USABO, and pledge that they have followed the rules of the competition. Exams without this information submitted will not be considered.
  5. A Test Administrator will document via an online certificate form for each exam that s/he administered/proctored the exam according to the rules of the competition and will verify the identity of those students taking the exam. Exams without this documentation will not be considered.
  6. National Finalists Must Affirm: 

No participation in any other 2024 International Olympiad or student research program.

Adherence to all the rules and regulations governing the USABO and International Biology Olympiad (IBO).

Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency (green card).

Proof of U.S. Passport.

Attendance for the entire time of the National Finals.

Attendance at the IBO if they are a USABO National Finals Gold Medalist.

International Biology Olympiad

The USABO is in full conformity with international regulations.

If a National Finalist who is a gold medal winner fails to follow the rules affirmed above, s/he will forfeit her/his gold medal. In the event that a National Finalist wins a gold medal and is unable to attend the IBO due to circumstances beyond her/his control, the gold medal will be retained. The highest scoring National Finals Silver Medalist will then become a member of USA Biolympiad Team and attend the IBO.

Exams

Time: April 7, 2025 (50 minutes) 

Exam format: Online at home with 2 devices (test-taking device and monitoring device) 

Format: Individual test, 50 multiple-choice questions 

Participants: Grade 10-12 

Topics: 20% Cell Biology, 15% Plant Anatomy and Physiology, 25% Animal Anatomy and Physiology, 5% Ethology, 15% Genetics and Evolution, 15% Ecology, 5% Biosystematics

The top 10% of Open Exam participants qualify to take the online Semifinal Exam which consists of multiple-choice, short-answer, multiple true/false, and free response questions.

The top 20 Semifinalists attend the USABO National Finals. Students work with leading biologists and hear guest speakers. Students then take exams to compete for the USA Bio Olympiad Team.

Awards

Get medal Gold/ Silver/ Bronze and opportunity to join in the global finals

National awards:

  • Asia Gold: Top 10%
  • Asia Silver: Top 25%
  • Asia Bronze: Top 35%
  • Asia Honorable award: top 55%

Registration Details

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 28, 2025