As one of the most prestigious biology competitions for high school students in the United States, the USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) enriches the life science education of nearly 12,000 outstanding students each year. Organized by one of the world’s most influential elite education institutions, USABO has become one of the most academically rigorous and impactful STEM competitions globally.
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20-hour winter course designed for high-efficiency medal preparation!
2026 USABO Registration Now Open
We are an officially authorized testing center.
Scan the QR code to receive the registration form ⇓
(Students from non-ASDAN partner schools in China, independent candidates, and students from overseas testing regions are all eligible to apply.)
Free Download Resources
Scan the QR code to access:
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Past USABO exams & answer keys
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Self-assessment questions
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Recommended reading list (8 books)
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Top student notes (1 volume)
Key Dates for the 2026 USABO Season
China Region
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Exam Date: April 4, 2026 (Saturday), 10:30–11:20 (50 minutes)
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Registration Deadline: March 24, 2026
Overseas Regions
For the complete 2026 USABO calendar, click here.
Mission and Goals of USABO
The mission and goals of USABO align closely with those of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
USABO aims to identify, inspire, empower, and support the next generation of life science leaders, while fostering their global networks.
Since the Council for Economic Education (CEE) began administering USABO, every member of the U.S. Biology Olympiad Team has continued to win medals at the IBO. In 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2024, all four U.S. team members earned gold medals.
The U.S. Biology Olympiad Team achieved the coveted world champion title in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2024, and ranked first in the world in 2013 and 2023.
The 2026 International Biology Olympiad (IBO) will be held from July 12 to July 19, 2026, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
How Does the USABO Competition Work?
The USABO consists of three stages: Preliminary Round, Semifinal Round, and Final Round.
Round 1: Preliminary Round
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Duration: 50 minutes
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Format: 50 multiple-choice questions
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Scoring: 1 point per question; no penalty for incorrect answers
Note: Students in China may only participate in the China Preliminary Round.
Round 2: Semifinal Round
Only the top 500 students (approximately the top 10%) from the preliminary round qualify.
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Duration: 120 minutes
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Format:
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Part A: Single-choice questions
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Part B: Multiple-choice and true/false questions
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Part C: Short-answer or essay questions
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Eligibility requirement: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders).
Round 3: Final Round
The top 20 semifinalists are invited to attend a 12-day program hosted by the organizing university, including 10 days of training and 2 days of examinations.
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Practical Exam: 6 hours
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Theoretical Exam: 3 hours
Each year, the four gold medalists in the national finals represent the United States at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO). They also receive additional training for 2–3 days in preparation for the international competition.
USABO Score Cutoffs
| Year | Grand Gold | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 38 | 33 | 27 | 22 |
| 2024 | — | 25 | 20 | 18 |
| 2023 | — | 32 | 27 | 24 |
| 2022 | — | 23 | 19 | 18 |
Recommended Reading List for USABO Preparation
Click here for the detailed book list.
Download the high-resolution PDF ⇓
Why Participate in USABO?
A Highly Prestigious and Rigorous Competition
The USA Biology Olympiad is widely recognized as one of the most advanced and challenging knowledge-based competitions in biology. Outstanding performance in USABO significantly strengthens students’ applications to top universities, especially in medicine, biology, and STEM-related majors.
Since the launch of the China National Round in 2016, many top-performing students have been admitted to world-renowned universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, Cambridge University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Boost Academic Performance and Standardized Test Scores
USABO content overlaps with AP Biology, IB Biology, and other standardized examinations. Preparing for USABO enables students to master advanced biological concepts and achieve substantial improvement in both school performance and standardized test results.
Global Perspective and Opportunities
As more Chinese students participate in USABO, the competition offers a unique platform to compete and collaborate with peers worldwide. Award winners may also receive invitations to participate in top international scientific programs and events, gaining valuable global exposure.