Often referred to as the “Oscar of international biology competitions,” the United States of America Biology Olympiad (USABO) has long attracted the attention of top universities worldwide. Each year, outstanding USABO award recipients are closely followed by leading institutions, as the competition brings together some of the most talented biology students from around the globe.
On this international stage, participants compete head-to-head with biology enthusiasts worldwide, demonstrating both depth of knowledge and advanced scientific thinking.
Introduction to the USABO Biology Olympiad
The USABO is one of the most rigorous and advanced academic competitions in the field of biology. For students planning to pursue majors in biology, biomedical sciences, or medicine, USABO serves as a highly valuable academic credential and plays a significant role in strengthening university applications.
Originally established to select top U.S. students for participation in the International Biology Olympiad (IBO), USABO awards have, in recent years, become a major advantage for applicants to universities in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Earning a USABO award is widely regarded as a strong indicator of readiness for top-tier institutions.
Key Features of the USABO
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Designed to identify and cultivate top biology talent in the United States
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Organized by the Center for Excellence in Education (CEE)
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More than 10,000 students participate annually
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High-performing students may be invited to elite scientific programs
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One of the most challenging biology competitions, with overall difficulty exceeding that of BBO
USABO is particularly suitable for students aiming to pursue advanced studies in biology, medicine, or related fields. For those who have completed or are currently studying Honors Biology or AP Biology, USABO provides a powerful academic extension and challenge.
Three Key Reasons to Participate in USABO
1. Ignite Interest in Life Sciences
USABO offers extensive learning resources and rigorous training, helping students develop a deeper interest in biology while exploring the complexity of life sciences.
2. Strengthen AP and School Biology Performance
USABO content overlaps significantly with AP, IB, A-Level, and standard high school biology curricula. Preparing for this higher-level competition often leads to substantial improvements in school biology performance.
3. A Strong Advantage for Top STEM University Applications
USABO awards are highly regarded by top universities in the U.S. and U.K., especially for majors in biology, medicine, and biomedical sciences, making the competition an ideal choice for academically driven students.
USABO Awards and Recognition
Each year, more than 10,000 U.S. high school students participate in USABO. Award recipients are frequently favored by world-renowned universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, and the University of Cambridge. In the China division, the gold award rate is approximately 10%.
Students who perform well in USABO gain a clear advantage when applying for majors such as medicine, biomedical science, genetics, and related disciplines. Award winners may also receive invitations to participate in prestigious international scientific programs.
Award Categories
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Gold Award: Top 10% overall
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Silver Award: Top 25% overall
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Bronze Award: Top 35% overall
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Regional Honorable Mention: Top 20% within each region (excluding national awardees)
Why USABO Stands Out
Registration for the 2026 USABO Biology Olympiad is now open. Students planning to pursue biology, biomedical science, or bioengineering should not miss this key competition in the first half of the academic year.
Exceptional Academic Value
USABO is one of the most challenging and prestigious biology competitions in the United States. Strong performance significantly enhances competitiveness for top medical and life science programs. Since the launch of the China national competition in 2016, many outstanding participants have been admitted to institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Columbia University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Chicago, the University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, and Northwestern University.
Develop Interest and Professional Competence in Biology
USABO preparation enables students to systematically explore biological theory while cultivating scientific thinking. The competition covers over 90% of high school biology content, helping students build a complete and structured knowledge framework.
Build a Solid Foundation for AP/IB Biology
USABO is typically held in April, making it an ideal preparation pathway for AP, IB, and other standardized biology exams. Participation strengthens conceptual understanding and improves exam performance.
USABO Registration and Exam Information
Timeline (China Division)
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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
Participation Details
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Registration Method:
The USABO China Division is administered by ASDAN. Registration is available only through partner schools via the ASDAN International Science Assessment mini-program. -
Exam Language: English
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Exam Format:
Individual competition, written exam only (no laboratory component)
50 multiple-choice questions, 50-minute duration
Exam Content Distribution
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25% Animal Anatomy and Physiology
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20% Cell Biology
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20% Genetics and Evolution
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15% Plant Anatomy and Physiology
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10% Ecology
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5% Ethology (Behavior)
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5% Biological Systematics