<p>Hi everyone. This is my first post, so forgive me if it's not in the correct sub-forum. I was just wondering how to prepare for the Biology and Chemistry Olympiads. I'm a sophomore (just finished freshman year) and was wondering if one year is enough to prep for both. </p>
<p>Also, what prep materials do you recommend? I've heard good things about Campbell's Biology and Zumdahl's Chemistry. Is studying those sufficient? </p>
<p>Thanks in advance for all the replies.</p>
<p>You can definitely prep for both if you’ve taken/self-studied both AP Biology and AP Chemistry. Otherwise, you will have to do both this year - and practice harder problems/memorize your textbook.</p>
<p>For chemistry, Zumdahl’s textbook is good for understanding the basic principles and for learning the material if you haven’t taken/self-studied AP Chemistry yet. You’ll want to practice solving problems, for which the Challenge Problems in Zumdahl are decent. However, Zumdahl is more or less an elementary textbook, so get your hands on Pauling, Oxtoby, or Atkins for additional practice.</p>
<p>Regarding biology, it is well-known that the best texts for USABO preparation are Campbell Biology, Biology of Plants by Raven, and a recent edition of Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts. You will need to have the first memorized down to each individual line; get some of the specifics from the other two resources. You don’t need all of Raven and definitely only a little bit of Alberts to make semifinals.</p>