Last minute preparation for the USABO Open exam
The USA Biology Olympiad (USABO) will be administered from 5th to 15th of February, 2019. With only 2 months left, there many things that you can do to increase your chances of succes.
USABO Exam Question Format
- The USABO Open Exam uses Multiple Choice format with one response per question.
- The USABO Semifinal Exam uses the Multiple Choice, Short Answer, and Multiple True/False Choice formats.
- IBO Theoretical and USABO National Exam use the Multiple True/False Choice format.
Teacher Resource Center (TRC)
The TRC is dynamic. Once your school has completed the registration process and payment has been received, please check the TRC for the latest resources and links to help you to prepare your students for the USABO. Content is arranged according to the seven IBO focus groups:
- Cell Biology
- Animal Anatomy and Physiology
- Plant Anatomy and Physiology
- Ethology
- Genetics and Evolution
- Ecology
- Biosystematics
HOW TO PREPARE FOR USABO 2019
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01
REVIEW PAST PAPERS
Do all USABO past Open exam papers. You can find them here. Make sure you know why answers are correct and how to solve them quickly. Check out USABO Open Exam Worked solutions prepared by Biolympiads.com.
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02
MASTER TEST TAKING STRATEGIES
Review test-taking strategies. The latest USABO Open exams are all about problem solving and application of biology knowledge. Just knowing pure facts won’t take you far. Thus, check out our book ‘How to prepare for the biology olympiad and science competitions‘ and review chapter ‘Test-taking strategies‘. -
03
REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW
Biology is a theory heavy subject. Learning and memorising different facts and concepts will help you answer the questions flawlessly and much quicker. But what should I review? Well…below you’ll find a list of different resources which will help you absorb as much information as possible in shortest time.
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04
SHARE AND LEARN
Join the Biolympiads study group and share your knowledge and learn together with other students. In the forum, you’ll find study resources, solutions to many past paper questions and tips&tricks from your peers.
SIGN UP FOR THE USABO OPEN MOCK EXAM HERE.
The mock exam will take place between 21st of January and 27th of January, 2019.
STUDY RESOURCES FOR USABO 2019
Genetics, Population Genetics and Evolution – 20%
Review ‘Lecture notes‘, ‘Assignments‘ (review only solutions as you won’t have time to do problems), and ‘Exams‘ section
Cell Biology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry – 20%
5-07SC Biochemistry from MIT Opencourseware
Review Module I, Module II and Module III
Review ‘Exam‘ and ‘Study Material‘ sections
Review these topics
| Lecture | Online Link | Essential Cell Biology (3rd edn pages, new page numbering for 4th edn) | |
| 1 | Cell Biology Introduction | Chapter 1 Introduction to Cells pp1-38 | |
| 2 | Cells Eukaryotes and Prokaryotes | Chapter 1 Introduction to Cells pp1-38 | |
| 3 | Cell Membranes and Compartments | Chapter 11 Membrane Structure pp363-386, Chapter 12 Membrane Transport 387-424, Chapter 15 Intracellular Compartments and Transport 495-530 | |
| 4 | Cell Nucleus | Chapter 5 DNA and Chromosomes pp171-196 | |
| 5 | Cell Export – Exocytosis | Chapter 15 pp514-518 | |
| 6 | Cell Import – Endocytosis | Chapter 15 pp522-529 | |
| 7 | Cell Mitochondria | Chapter 14 Energy Generation in Mitochondria and Chloroplast pp453-492 | |
| 8 | Cell Junctions | Chapter 20 Cellular Communities:Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer – Epithelial Sheets and Cell Junctions pp700-705 | |
| 9 | Cytoskeleton Introduction | Chapter 17 Cytoskeleton pp571-608 | |
| 10 | Cytoskeleton 1 Intermediate Filaments | Chapter 17 Cytoskeleton – Intermediate Filaments pp571-576 | |
| 11 | Cytoskeleton 2 Microtubules | Chapter 17 Cytoskeleton – Microtubules pp577-589 | |
| 12 | Cytoskeleton 3 Microfilaments | Chapter 17 Cytoskeleton – Microfilaments pp590-598 | |
| 13 | Extracellular Matrix 1 | Chapter 20 Cellular Communities:Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer – Extracellular Matrix and Connective Tissues pp690-699 | |
| 14 | Extracellular Matrix 2 | Chapter 20 Cellular Communities:Tissues, Stem Cells, and Cancer – Extracellular Matrix and Connective Tissues pp690-699 | |
| 15 | Cell Cycle | Chapter 18 The Cell Division Cycle – Overview of the Cell Cycle pp609-624 | |
| 16 | Cell Division | Chapter 18 The Cell Division Cycle – Mitosis pp625-634, Cytokinesis pp634-638 | |
| 17 | Cell Death 1 | Chapter 18 The Cell Division Cycle – Control of Cell Number pp638-647 | |
| 18 | Cell Death 2 | Chapter 18 The Cell Division Cycle – Control of Cell Number pp638-647 | |
| 19 | Signal 1 | Chapter 16 Cell Communication pp531-570 | |
| 20 | Signal 2 | Chapter 16 Cell Communication pp531-570 |
Only if you have time review problem solutions:
PROBLEM SOLVING AND TEST TAKING TECHNIQUES
To improve your test-taking techniques and problem solving skills, get our book ‘How to prepare for the biology olympiad and science competitions‘. From comprehensive tips and steps of problem solving to best tips on how to answer olympiad question, our book has it all!
