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The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is the national biology competition for United States high-school students, administered by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE). It runs in stages — an Open Exam, a Semifinal Exam, and a residential National Finals — narrowing thousands of entrants down to the top four, who form Team USA at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). It tests college-level biology far beyond the usual high-school syllabus.
A short entry exam taken at school by thousands of students each year. It screens the field down to a semifinalist group and is where almost every USABO journey begins.
A longer, harder exam for the students who clear the Open Exam. Performance here decides who advances to the National Finals.
A residential round for the top finalists that adds practical laboratory examinations to the theory. The leading finishers are named to Team USA.
The top four finalists form Team USA and represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) against 75+ countries.
USABO is open to United States high-school students (typically grades 9–12). Students selected for Team USA must additionally meet the IBO’s citizenship and age rules for the competition year. No prior olympiad experience is required to sit the Open Exam — a strong honors or AP Biology foundation is the usual starting point.
The syllabus spans college-level biology; the standard reference is Campbell Biology. Core areas include:
See the full USABO syllabus and past papers.
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