The questions on the exams are very specific; students must be able to recall details from virtually every chapter of Campbell's Biology as well as possess an overall understanding of the information. While taking an AP Biology course, I suggest that individuals thoroughly study each chapter as the class progresses and then review before the exams. The exams, however, cover the entire textbook, so students in AP classes who have not covered all of the text by February may need to read the rest of the chapters on their own. Some students, especially those not in AP Biology, choose to read and study Campbell's Biology outside of school. This works, but individuals should not overwhelm themselves by trying to read too many pages and remember too many details in a short time period.

National Finals:
Finalists need to hone both their theoretical knowledge and practical lab skills since a two-part exam occurs at the end of the National Finals. On days prior to the exams at the National Finals, students receive lectures from professors every morning and conduct experiments in the afternoons. Anything covered at the Finalist Camp will most likely be on the exams.

In terms of theoretical knowledge, students need to retain all of the information that they learned in preparation for the Open and Semifinal Exams. In addition to the information contained in Campbell's Biology, students should also memorize the scientific names of organisms as listed under the Biosystemics portion of the Theoretical Exam Content Guide (found at www.ibo-info.org). Besides knowing taxonomic classifications, individuals should also know the corresponding common names and basic features of the organisms. When I competed in the Finals, I did not begin to memorize this information until I attended the 10-day camp. By then, I had too little time to learn everything, and I missed the questions on the exam that dealt with this material. Even though it is a lot to learn, the information can help students earn several crucial points on the exams. If one naming section is more important than the others, it would definitely be the plant section. Don't skip this! Along with the naming requirements, a general outline of all of the information required for the theoretical portion can be found at www.ibo-info.org. Basically, the outline is the entire Campbell's textbook.

Students can prepare very little for the practical exam in advance of the Finalist Camp. Students should, however, be able to perform chi-square tests and other basic statistical analysis of data. The labs completed every afternoon at the Finalist Camp are excellent preparation for the exam at the end. The lab stations on the practical exam last for 10 minutes and have no instructions. Therefore, when students practice labs in the afternoon, they should attempt to memorize all directions/steps/procedures as well as complete these procedures in only 10 minutes.

National Finalist Completing Lab Work at George Mason University (Courtsey of www.cee.org/usabo)

IBO:
The four representatives selected at the end of the National Finals remain at George Mason University for four additional days after the end of the National Finals Camp. During this time, the representatives prepare for the IBO with the help of professors and USABO staff. The exams at the USABO Finals have the same format as the exams at the IBO. Students must continue to expand their theoretical and practical knowledge, learning as much as possible so that they can confidently compete for the United States against incredibly gifted individuals from around the world.