2012 USABO Thread

<p>@NightShadeQueen:
Where did you get your exams to study from? Do you think practice exams are necessary to prep for USABO?</p>

<p>This book is so OVERWHELMINGGG! Kait are you studying for it as well?</p>

<p>NightShadeQueen, could you also tell me how early you started studying for the USABO? (sorry for all of these questions haha)</p>

<p>@practical:
Yes, I just ordered Campbell’s 8e from ebay for like $20. As soon as it arrives (probs next week), I’m going to start studying seriously.</p>

<p>K when you get it please tell me how you study bcuz there is sooooo much info and im not sure what i need and dont need to know. Thankss ;)</p>

<p>Exams - apparently the previous open exams are available to teachers, but I never knew that so I’ve never used them. I got a couple of the chapters to Campbell test banks from another teacher of mine. That’s about it on exams. I don’t think the exams are all that helpful, honestly, because they differ greatly from year to year. 2010 Open was a killer, with most national finalists scoring in the low twenties out of fifty. 2011 Open was significantly easier. </p>

<p>When I started studying:</p>

<p>For 2010: basically at the start of the school year. Studied for the entirety of said school year, multiple (2-3) hours a day.
For 2011: Much less, should have studied more, methinks. Patchily during the summer, patchily during the school year, and squeaked into Finals with a semi-final score of exactly the cut-off. Whew. If it wasn’t for the prac…(and the fact that Eric graduated and Debra didn’t return…)</p>

<p>Campbell’s Eighth is going for twenty bucks now? Gah, just when I have one to sell (grumbles, mutters)</p>

<p>Do you know where can I get the powerpoint slides for campbell Biology book ver 8 and 9?</p>

<p>Can someone help me with this? What exams do you even need to qualify for USABO? When are they? How much do you need to know? Anything else?</p>

<p>Being a newcomer sucks ._.</p>

<p>@CantConcentrate- I’m a newcomer too. What I’ve gathered is that if you read Campbells you should be fine. After finnishing campbells then you take the open exam.</p>

<p>

Look here for official explanation
[USABO:</a> About the Exams | Center for Excellence in Education](<a href=“http://www.cee.org/programs/usabo/exams]USABO:”>http://www.cee.org/programs/usabo/exams)
Look in for past exams
[url=<a href=“http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/dkaragianes/resources.cfm?subpage=95524]USABO[/url”>http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/dkaragianes/resources.cfm?subpage=95524]USABO[/url</a>]</p>

<p>After a few months, I collected almost complete set of past Open and Semifinal USABO exams except Open 2005 and Semi 2005. I will give to everyone who request. If you are honest and want the exams, PM me your email address.</p>

<p>@james584</p>

<p>James, I sent you a PM.</p>

<p>@james584 </p>

<p>I will send you one also.</p>

<p>If anyone could please send me some practice materials that would be highly appreciated seeing as I have none.</p>

<p>@Practical:</p>

<p>Two reasons someone would voluntarily read this tome:</p>

<p>1) they love biology
2) they are crazy, masochistic beings</p>

<p>Wait, what?</p>

<p>Anyone know where we can get passed tests?</p>

<p>Bumppitttyyyyyyyyyyyy</p>

<p>Hello, I was wondering is a previous finalist could help me out. In 2010 I studied about 1 hour a day the entire year, passed the Open exam, and got a 80 on the Semifinal Exam by reading Campbell 7 or 8 times, and Ravens biology once. What do you suggest I study this summer so I can do become a finalist next year? I feel like I already know Campbell pretty well and was looking for how to better prepare for the harder and non-routine questions on the semi-final exams. I am considering reading plants by Raven twice or thrice to up my score and maybe biochemistry by Voet, but honestly, how helpful do you think this would be since these are very advanced texts? Do I read more advanced books or do I keep reading Campbell even though I know most of it, can define roughly 90% of the words in the index, and can draw most of the charts and tables found in the book. I am frustrated since I feel like I am so close but something just isn’t there. Thanks anyways.</p>

<p>I think you’ll make finals because many of the finalist graduated so there will be a spot for you. Just do what you’re doing and you’re fine.</p>

<p>As in my question is, do I keep doing Campbell or move on?</p>