<p>I dislike bio, and probably phosphorylescence also</p>
<p>meadow36 - thank you for the teacher resource link. I just shared the link with my advisor. You saved us!</p>
<p>^^Eww bio haters. Leave. Now.</p>
<p>^haha np.</p>
<p>And whoa, just looked phosphorylescence up, and it looks mad cool. So it’s essentially glowing for longer periods of time, by entering a higher spin state, and can only go back down through forbidden methods, which is unfavorable, so the it results in the reaction occurring slower ? Sounds sooo mysterious. haha.The quantum mechanics makes it looks ten times cooler though. I only wish I understood quantum mechanics more completely to understand it’s apparent awesomeness. lol.</p>
<p>omg really? spin up or spin down?</p>
<p>Well apparently triple state(which is what occurs in phosphorylescence) is when it moves up an energy level and change it’s spin state a well.</p>
<p>Quantum mechanics is amazing! 
Not as amazing as bio, though.</p>
<p>Well, if they ask any questions about phosphorylescence on Friday then I know I’m ready. :P</p>
<p>Don’t bubble in two answers? It might be referring to semis.</p>
<p>Probably referring to semis. I’m pretty sure the MC is graded much the same way as the SAT one.</p>
<p>@ Inso: At this point, not much you can do for the open except review the stuff you’re weak on. Also, do practice GREs. If you get into semis, then we’re talking serious plant stuff & definitely biotech/genetics stuff. The two main academic advisers for USABO are a Botanist and a Biochemist (although anything she writes is generally in the “insert plasmid” vein), so expect to see those on semis (It’s funny, part C on semis last year I was like “Oh, I bet so-and-so wrote this question”).</p>
<p>There’s generally not too much stuff on taxonomy beyond the basic Campbell on the open (like, 1 question last year), and I got into the finals my first year without knowing any of it. </p>
<p>I think the best preparation for USABO is definitely experience with multiple choice tests & especially bio multiple choice, combined with intensive studying.</p>
<p>@ Maple: <em>shrugs</em> Don’t be hatin’ </p>
<p>I don’t remember if there’s a guessing penalty on the test.</p>
<p>First time, taking it tomorrow, though I doubt I’ll make it. I read through Campbell and Reece (and took the AP last year, though that’s not exactly an indicator of any sort of prowess in the subject), but really only “got” the molecular bio section (and assorted parts of botany, mycology, muscular/neural systems, and ecology). Are there many detailed, in-depth textbooks discussing (at least partially) the endocrine system and hormonal control of the body? (I read the section in Campbell and Reece, but it didn’t really permeate).</p>
<p>Also, what edition of Campbell and Reece are they using? I saw a couple of old exams (specifically one from 2004) that mentioned stuff like the Shine-Dalgarno sequence that didn’t appear in the editions of Campbell and Reece I have (4th and 7th). Anyone know where this was taken from?</p>
<p>^I would imagine that Campbell is not their only source from which they derive test questions from.</p>
<p>If that was the case, then Pearson would be the one issuing the test.</p>
<p>Most intense USABOers pursue further knowledge in alternative textbooks.</p>
<p>Do they seriously take off your score if you got some of the questions with multiple answers wrong? Cuz that would really suck…</p>
<p>Also, were calculators allowed? I didn’t know that. ■■■.</p>
<p>Only non-graphing non-programmable calculators, IIRC.</p>
<p>Campbell 6-8e is all good, according to many finalists.</p>
<p>phosphorylescence: yeah, I agree there’s not much point in cramming. However, I find it useful to review some since I’ve somehow managed to forget everything I know about operons and transposons! :X</p>
<p>Lots of experience with MC (AP Bio, SAT and SAT IIs, tons of practice problems). Let’s do this.</p>
<p>No there’s a specific question about certain macromolecules NEVER elaborated upon in the book. They really spread out. People who took the test can attest to this statement.
Comparing the tests from 2004 to now, this year is the hardest EVER.
Good luck.</p>
<p>Would those be the secondary metabolites of plants? (This is a complete guess, since I haven’t taken it yet.) They also use Raven for their questions, so that would be the source of those.</p>
<p>@globaldreamer: no talking about specifics its all good 
just a warning</p>
<p>I would strongly discourage talking about ANY specifics of the test until the testing period is over. You never know who’s reading this, and in addition to being unfair, you’d also be putting yourself at a disadvantage (remember, semis are top 10%, so it’s all relative).</p>
<p>And yes, alot of the stuff on exams is not in Campbell: Shine-Dalgarno sequence definitely is not, but it is pretty standard fodder for intro bio classes. </p>
<p>Good luck to all who are taking it tomorrow (me included >.<)</p>
<p>To be honest, i’m pretty jealous that you guys are able to partici…compete and i’m not.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Best of luck to everyone participating! (I am taking it tomorrow as well.)</p>