Q: Where can I find USABO deadlines and other important dates?
A: You can find all important USABO dates and deadlines in the USABO Calendar from the dropdown menu or by clicking on the USABO Calendar link. Deadlines are also available on the USABO homepage.
Q: My students have only covered about half of the material that will appear on the Open Exam. Will this put them at an unfair disadvantage?
A: The depth and breadth of coverage may vary by school; USABO does not give any particular school an unfair advantage or disadvantage. The Open Exam is not a “standardized” test that teachers can “teach to.” Teachers can, however, provide access to practice exams and resources in the Teacher Resource Center (TRC), offer encouragement, and guide students to appropriate study materials online. Students do not need advanced biology courses to be competitive. USABO preparation is essentially student-centered, and students can work independently or collaboratively with peers who are interested. Any student who has completed introductory biology courses and is motivated to learn can participate.
Q: Which educational institutions are eligible to register?
A: Accounts for schools or institutions are reviewed before activation. Documentation may be requested to verify:
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Non-profit status
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No student service fees
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State-certified teacher as the lead exam administrator
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Official website address
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Compliance from school principal/administrator
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No conflicts of interest, including private tutoring or commercial tutoring as part of school operations
Q: Some of my students are interested in USABO but have not completed AP Biology or other advanced courses. How can I help them prepare?
A: Preparation for the Open Exam and Semifinals depends primarily on individual student effort or collaborative effort among motivated peers. Teachers can assist by:
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Ensuring students understand the exam’s depth, breadth, and rigor
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Providing access to TRC practice exams
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Sharing reference materials and study guides available on the official website
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Guiding and encouraging students in their study efforts
Q: If students participate this year, will they lose eligibility next year?
A: No. Students are eligible to participate in the Open Exam each year of high school. According to IBO guidelines, students may only participate in the IBO twice.
Q: What question formats are used in the USABO exams? Are there penalties for guessing?
A:
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Multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer are graded as correct or incorrect; no penalty for wrong answers.
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Short-answer and essay questions are graded partially based on accuracy.
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Multiple True-False (MTF) questions consist of a stem and four statements. The stem may include statements, questions, case history, or data with relevant figures or tables. Distractors are designed around a single topic, not dependent on factual recall or extensive prior knowledge, requiring data interpretation, problem-solving, and evaluation.
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MTF scoring: 4 correct = 1 point; 3 correct = 0.6; 2 correct = 0.2; 1 or 0 correct = 0 points.
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Q: Do students need to attend a specific location for the Open Exam or Semifinals?
A: Yes. Exams must be taken at a high school or authorized USABO exam center. Open Exams and Semifinals are conducted online once per day in Eastern Time. Certified teachers from the hosting school or authorized USABO center must proctor the exam. Homeschooled students must take the exam at an authorized center; parents are not allowed to proctor.
Q: Do students advancing to the Semifinals, National Finals, or IBO receive scholarships?
A: USABO and IBO are free for students. Semifinalists receive a lab coat, lab journal, and the latest edition of Campbell’s Biology. The top four students in the National Finals advance to IBO. CEE does not provide additional funding beyond the competition itself. Advancing to Semifinals or National Finals may support scholarship applications.
Q: Where do students stay during the National Finals?
A: Currently, the National Finals are virtual, and students remain at home under parental supervision. After the pandemic, students will stay in dormitories at host universities, separated by gender. Past USABO medalists now in college serve as counselors and teaching assistants, with full-time staff present. Parents may visit before the first class or after the final exam; during Finals, family visits are not allowed.
Q: What if the USABO schedule conflicts with my school calendar?
A: Schools generally understand when students earn prestigious awards. CEE works to coordinate with schools, including rescheduling exams if possible. If a student must withdraw from the National Finals due to a conflict, they still retain the honor of being a National Finalist.
Q: What costs do students incur for the National Finals and IBO?
A: Students are responsible for travel to/from the National Finals and transport to the university. Meals and lodging are provided by Central/Eastern Europe for IBO. Students should bring cash for incidental expenses (snacks, souvenirs, etc.). Students attending IBO cover visa and passport fees; travel and lodging are provided.
Q: Should schools or authorized centers send checks or purchase orders to CEE or USABO?
A: All payments go to Center for Excellence in Education (CEE), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (Tax ID: 52-1256563). IRS forms are available during online registration.
Q: Do students need to be currently enrolled in a biology course to participate?
A: No. Any student from freshman to senior year may take the Open Exam, provided the school is registered and a teacher agrees to supervise.
Q: Where can I find student Open Exam and Semifinal results? Can students access their own scores?
A: Teachers can view student scores by logging in with their ID# and password on the USABO site and selecting Exam Scores from the Teacher Resource Center. Students can access scores with their own credentials under Exam Results.
Q: What is my school code?
A: Your school code is included in your ID#. The first three digits represent the USABO year, the next four digits represent the school code, and the last three digits indicate whether you are a teacher or student.