Hey guys, I’m probably going to finish my first read over Campbell’s sometime around mid-October. I’m on Chapter 47 now. Do you guys think I could read it a second time fully from mid-October to right before Winter Break? I have a ton of homework so it’s really hard for me to read Campbell’s thoroughly. Could my time be better spent skimming the book multiple times and memorizing the diagrams?
@MuscleMan001 If you’re worried about time, don’t read the whole book. Focus on sections like animals and cells where the questions will be concentrated
@littlescientist Definitely! You do not need to read everything. Note that animal body makes up 1/4th of the exam. So instead of reading Campbell do Vander’s.
Animal anatomy and physiology: 25%
Cell Biology: 20%
Genetics and Evolution: 20%
Plant anatomy and physiology: 15%
Some good discussions are taking place in the USABO Google Group:
https://groups.google.com/a/biolympiads.com/d/forum/usabo-study-group
OK everyone. How long do you guys spend on USABO preparation every night? Also, I am a sophomore and I took Johns Hopkins CTY AP bio over the summer and I got a 96 without extra credit. I have been busy with SAT until last Saturday. Now, I am putting full efforts into USABO and AIME. To make semis this year, how much should I aim to study per day? I am a fast reader and I have read many parts of the Campbell Textbook…Thanks so much for all the help 
OK everyone. How long do you guys spend on USABO preparation every night? Also, I am a sophomore and I took Johns Hopkins CTY AP bio over the summer and I got a 96 without extra credit. I have been busy with SAT until last Saturday. Now, I am putting full efforts into USABO and AIME. To make semis this year, how much should I aim to study per day? I am a fast reader and I have read many parts of the Campbell Textbook…Thanks so much for all the help
I started preparing in December for ~5 hours per week. I didn’t buy a specific book to prepare and I didn’t do any extra studying off of my campbell textbook. The only preparation I did was about 8 practice tests. I reviewed my mistakes, searched up everything I didn’t know, and wrote it on a huge google doc. I reviewed that doc every day until the test and got a 29.
@thetex
By any chance will you be willing to share that google doc?
HI!
I am planning to take the USABO in the February of next year, and I want to start reviewing now.
I know that Campbells and the Raven books would be helpful, but do you guys know any kind of online-video courses that are approximately equivalent to the depth of the info in the Campbells book?
Thanks!
Is this the official USABO thread for the 2018 exams?
@iamaccuser1 many of Khan Academy’s videos correspond with topics from Campbell’s
I want to take the Open exam in the February of 2019. I am planning to study directly for semifinals since if I study just for the open exam, I will not have enough time to review the advanced topics for the semifinals exam in a span of a month (Feb. to March, since semifinals is in March). It would be great if someone can tell me if this is a good idea, and if so, how I would study for it (I know Campbells and Khan Academy are sufficient for the open exam, but I do not know about semifinals).
Thanks!
If you are serious enough, then this would be a good plan. What year of high school are you? Will this be your first time taking the open exam? If it is, you should be more cautious, but a way to be sure would be to see how well you do on the 2013-2015 ish open exams. The most important materials to study in order to bridge the gap are Raven’s Biology of Plants and of course the other semifinal exams. In addition, it might be helpful to look over a few chapters of Albert’s Molecular Biology of the Cell, but don’t get too bogged down on details.
Guys, is there a site with video equivalents to the topics covered in Campbells? How about Alberts and Ravens?
Thanks!
And littlescientist, I am currently a freshman and it is my first time with USABO.
And littlescientist, I am currently a freshman and it is my first time with USABO.
@iamaccuser1 you may be fine, but just to be safe I would make sure you’re solid on campbell before doing anything else. If you can get above about a 30 or so on past open exams, it could definitely be a good idea to move on to other resources, but proceed with caution
ok, thanks!
Omg did anyone take it yet???
@feyrhys Lol took it a couple hours ago. A bit harder than expected…
Please, no one discuss the exams until after everyone has taken it.