Biology and medicine are among the most popular and competitive majors for Chinese students studying abroad. Before applying, many students go to great lengths to showcase their interest and potential in their chosen field. Participating in high-level biology competitions is one of the most effective ways to strengthen academic credentials.
Among biology competitions, BBO (British Biology Olympiad) and USABO (USA Biology Olympiad) are two of the most prestigious options. They are particularly popular among students in grades 9–12 who aim to pursue majors in medicine, biology, psychology, and related fields. The 2026 China season for both competitions has concluded. Now is the ideal time to plan early for the 2027 season.
So what does the USABO exam entail, how difficult is it, and how should students prepare? This article takes a detailed look.
Who Should Participate in the USABO?
The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) is organized by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE) and is recognized as one of the most rigorous and influential STEM competitions in the United States. In China, the competition is administered through BioOlympiad Initiative USA-China (BIOUS), run by ASDAN, and is also referred to as BIO-USACN.
USABO awardees are highly regarded by world-class universities, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge.
Eligibility:
Any high school student may participate. However, due to the competition’s difficulty and selective nature, students are recommended to have:
- A solid foundation in general biology
- Prior experience in biology competitions or courses
- Strong learning ability and analytical skills
High school juniors (Grade 11) are particularly encouraged to participate, as the exam requires advanced knowledge, strong analytical skills, and comprehensive understanding.
Students planning to apply for majors in biology, medicine, biochemistry, or psychology, or those with a deep passion for biology, will benefit most from this competition.
About the USABO Open Exam
The USABO Open Exam is held annually in early April. The 2026 China exam was administered on April 4, 2026, from 10:30–11:20 AM (50 minutes). The next opportunity will be the 2027 season; the specific China-region date will be announced later in 2026.
Exam Format: Individual test — 50 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes, conducted entirely in English.
China Region Award Tiers (BIOUS/ASDAN):
- Top Gold Award — Top 5% of China participants (2026 cutoff: approximately 40 points)
- Gold Award — Top 15% of China participants (2026 cutoff: approximately 40 points)
- Silver Award — Top 30% of China participants (2026 cutoff: approximately 33 points)
- Bronze Award — Top 45% of China participants (2026 cutoff: approximately 25 points)
USABO Exam Content
The USABO Open Exam covers all major biology disciplines:
- Cell Biology: 20%
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology: 25%
- Plant Anatomy and Physiology: 15%
- Genetics and Evolution: 15%
- Ecology: 10%
- Animal Behavior: 5%
- Systematics: 5%
- Neurobiology and Bioinformatics: newly emphasized areas from the 2025 season onward
How Difficult Is USABO Compared to BBO?
Knowledge Scope:
- Breadth: USABO is comparable to BBO
- Depth: USABO requires deeper knowledge than BBO
Question Volume and Difficulty:
- BBO has more questions overall; USABO has 50 questions in 50 minutes
- USABO questions are more challenging and require stronger integrated knowledge
BBO: The BBO includes many questions involving graphs, image analysis, and material interpretation, often closely related to real-life scenarios. BBO question counts have grown in recent years, with 135 questions in 2022 (120 minutes) and 168 questions in 2023.
USABO: 50 multiple-choice questions in 50 minutes. Although all are multiple-choice, the questions are more challenging and require strong integrated knowledge across multiple biology domains.
Scoring Insight:
In the China region, the Gold Award is awarded to approximately the top 15% of participants. Recent cutoff scores have ranged from 33 to 40 out of 50, depending on the year. Mastering the knowledge thoroughly is essential, as even small mistakes can determine whether a student earns an award.