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SRC: General Information

Student Resource Center

The USA Biolympiad (USABO) Open, Semifinal, and National Exams are based on the format of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Theoretical Exam. To review the IBO guidelines, please visit the official IBO website at www.ibo-info.org . The Student Resource Center (SRC) is an area where you may obtain additional information on the USABO, resources, and links to content that can help you study for the exam.

Theoretical Exam Categories

Each of the seven topics is covered in the four exams: Open, Semifinal, Nationals, and IBO:

  • Animal anatomy and physiology: 25%
  • Cell Biology: 20%
  • Genetics and Evolution: 20%
  • Plant anatomy and physiology: 15%
  • Ecology: 10%
  • Ethology: 5%
  • Biosystematics: 5%
  • Bioinformatics (NEW)

USABO Official Textbook

Biology (8th edition or higher)
Authors: Neil A. Campbell, Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry; Michael L. Cain; Steven A. Wasserman; Peter V. Minorsky; Robert B. Jackson
Publisher: Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Copyright Year: 2008
Publishing Date: 2007/11/27
eText ISBN-10: 0-321-55085-4
eText ISBN-13: 978-0-321-55085-9
Print ISBN-10: 0-8053-6844-2
Print ISBN-13: 978-8053-6844-4
Course: Introductory Biology
Pages: 1393

2023 USABO Semifinal Exam Information

2023 USABO Semifinal Exam Histogram: click here

Summer Internships

SAT/ACT Prep Guidelines and  Tips: 54 Medical Programs for High School Students + Advice.

Pathways to Science (http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/K12.aspx) : Programs and Scholarships, Resource Toolbox for Applying, Preparing and Applying for College and Careers in STEM. Site also includes Partners Directory and Webinars.

DoD STEM Internships: http://www.dodstem.us/stem-programs/internships.

NIH Biomedical Research: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip.

Supplemental Online Courses

The USABO does not endorse any of the following materials or courses. They are intended as supplemental resources to be used at the discretion of the user.

MIT ONline STEM Concept VIdeosThe STEM Concept Videos, produced by the Teaching and Learning Laboratory, are designed to help students learn pivotal concepts in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM).  Each video is part of a series that represents a cross-cutting theme in the courses that typically appear in first- and second-year engineering curricula (i.e., physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology). The STEM Concept Videos were originally produced for and funded by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).  SUTD refers to these videos as Concept VignettesThese videos are also available for viewing and download on the MIT OpenCourseWare site.