Hey guys, I am a freshman and I am taking AP Biology next year. I wanted to participate in USABO, but I am really confused with the website (doesn’t work on my device for some reason). Can someone answer my questions plz?
- When is the next USABO qualifying test (december 2016, january 2017, etc.)?
- Since I have a while until the test, how should I divide the time spent studying? Should 1 hour a day for the next year suffice?
- Please clarify my understanding: I take a test locally/in-school, if I get a certain score I can move on to semi's, and if I am in the top 12 I go to nationals?
- Any advice?
Thanks, I appreciate it!
You are going to want to try a different device so you can get the website to work. There are two local tests: the first exams are in February, second set in March. Your school has to register (but we paid the fee for the school and my kid’s bio teacher did the registration when my kid self-studied at a school with no team). There are actually 20 students who advance after the two tests to a central location, and four of them end up on the final team.
Can’t tell you how much to study… I think you could give the test a try next year, but wouldn’t expect much as you will only be part way through AP Bio. Then I’d buckle down in preparation for the next year, with a full year of AP Bio and several months of studying behind you, plus the experience of taking the test once.
@intparent So after the two tests, 20 students in the area advance to semis. How big of an area do the semis cover (statewide, regional, over multiple states, etc.)? Also, do you happen to know the average score (out of 50) for those who make the semis and nationals?
No, 20 students nationwide. I don’t know the scores, sorry.
It’s okay, thanks @intparent !
Try to read Campbell and do practice tests. https://solbioblog.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2015/01/27/february-2015-solympiad-update-and-ibo-study-stories-part-2/ Browse around this site to get an idea of what USABO is like. Have fun!
Also out 50 the cutoff usually varies between 21 and 29 depending on how hard the test is.
Read Campbell as much as you can, then move on to Raven’s Plant biology and Benjamin Pierce Genetics. Also check out biolympiads.com since they have study tips, handouts, worksheets, etc so you do not need to make your own notes. Do all past papers. Try to get in a lab at school to get some experience.