IBO (International Biology Olympiad)

The International Biology Olympiad is a prestigious yearly competition for high school students worldwide, aiming to foster future leaders in biological science. The exam aims to identify, support, and connect young talents in biology on a global scale.

Biology involves a lot of memorization and understanding of diagrams, which often appear in questions. Hence, students should prepare for them thoroughly. Multiple-choice questions frequently test knowledge of the chapter’s contents.

The first International Biology Olympiad was held in Czechoslovakia in 1990, and it has been an annual event ever since. In 2022, due to circumstances, the IBO Challenge will be conducted virtually from July 10 to 18.

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IBO (International Biology Olympiad)

The International Biology Olympiad is a prestigious global competition held annually in July for high school students. This year’s virtual IBO Challenge will take place in mid of July.

The aim of the competition is to discover, inspire, and support the next generation of leaders in Biological Science, fostering their international connections. The inaugural International Biology Olympiad took place in Czechoslovakia in 1990, and it has been an annual event ever since.

Each country selects 4 winners from its National Biology Olympiad to participate in the IBO, accompanied by 2 leaders who serve as members of the International jury throughout the event.

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IBO Registration

The following are the essential steps for IBO Registration:

• Become a member of the IBO Association to qualify for participation.
• Ensure your country conducts a National Biology Olympiad (NBO) to regularly select participants.
• Officially register your nation on the designated website for IBO 2022.
• Submit a one-time registration fee of $150 (equivalent to one hundred and fifty Euros).

Furthermore, note that each delegation is permitted to include a maximum of four students and must have a minimum of two jury members, with no set limit on the maximum number of jurors. Rest assured, there are no additional expenses.

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The composition of a delegation from any country or region encompasses one to four contestants, chosen through the National Biology Olympiad, alongside a minimum of two jury members.

IBO Exam Pattern

The IBO test evaluates students on both theory and practical knowledge. It covers various topics like Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Plant and Animal Anatomy, Genetics, Ecology, and Biosystematics. Each theory and practical section holds equal weight, contributing to around 50% of the total marks.

Students are ranked based on their scores. The top 10% receive gold medals, the next 20% receive silver, and the following 30% receive bronze.

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IBO Syllabus

Check the detailed syllabus for IBO exam for both Part A and B in the table below:

IBO Theoretical Exam Syllabus (Part A)

The syllabus for IBO Theoretical Exam is provided in the table below:

IBO Practical Exam Syllabus (Part A)

The IBO exams feature only one practical test. The syllabus for IBO Practical Exam is provided in the table below:

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IBO Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) in 2024, candidates must meet specific requirements regarding their age, education, and experience in National Biology Olympiads (NBOs). Here’s a breakdown of the eligibility criteria:

Age Requirement: Candidates must have been born on July 1st or later of the competition year, minus 20 years.

Education Requirement:

• Candidates must have graduated from a “regular” secondary school in a member country or region, as per UNESCO’s International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED: 11).
• Before January 1st of the competition year, candidates must possess a diploma allowing them to pursue higher education at a university or a similar institution.
• Full-time university students (or equivalent) are ineligible to participate.

NBO Experience:

• Candidates must have won a competition in their member National Biology Olympiad (NBO) in the same competition year.
• They should not have undergone training in groups of fewer than 51 participants for more than two weeks.

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Additional Criteria:

• The design criteria of the NBOs must be adhered to, ensuring accessibility to students from all national public schools.
• Candidates must have attempted the IBO exam less than twice.
• They should not have served as observers or jury members in previous IBOs.

These eligibility criteria aim to ensure fair participation and maintain the integrity of the International Biology Olympiad.

IBO Rules and Guidelines

• The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) follows two main legal texts: the Articles of Association and the Operational Guidelines.
• The Articles of Association explain the organization’s operations and membership eligibility criteria.
• Operational Guidelines encompass all aspects of the yearly competition, including requirements for host nations.
• Currently, there’s no approved curriculum document, but the Operational Guidelines contain crucial information about test subjects and practical skills assessment.
• IBO provides additional guiding documents for hosts beyond these primary publications.

IBO Result

After completing the tests, results are typically available a few weeks later. To view the IBO 2024 results, students can visit the official IBO website. These results include unique codes, the student’s name, their rank, marks for both practical and theoretical parts, and other details. The exam consists of both practical and theoretical tests. The host country forwards students’ initial scores to international judges.

The final result is determined by the host nation, using the T-score which combines practical and theoretical marks equally (50 percent each). Once our country’s coordinator confirms the raw results, the final calculations are made. Gold, silver, and bronze medals, along with certificates of merit, are awarded based on students’ final standings.

IBO FAQs

What is the International Biology Olympiad (IBO)?

The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is a prestigious global competition held annually in July for high school students. It aims to discover, inspire, and support the next generation of leaders in Biological Science on an international scale.

How can students participate in the IBO?

To participate in the IBO, students must first compete and win in their respective National Biology Olympiad (NBO). Each country selects four winners from its NBO to represent them in the IBO, accompanied by two leaders who serve as members of the International jury throughout the event.

What is the registration process for the IBO?

To register for the IBO, participants must become members of the IBO Association, ensure their country conducts a National Biology Olympiad, and officially register their nation on the designated website for the current year's IBO. A one-time registration fee of $150 is required per nation.

What are the eligibility criteria for the IBO?

Candidates must meet specific requirements regarding their age, education, and experience in National Biology Olympiads (NBOs). They must have been born on or after July 1st of the competition year, meet educational criteria as per UNESCO's ISCED: 11, and have won a competition in their member NBO in the same year.

How are IBO participants evaluated and awarded?

Participants are evaluated on both theoretical and practical knowledge, covering topics such as Cell Biology, Genetics, Ecology, and more. The top 10% receive gold medals, the next 20% receive silver, and the following 30% receive bronze based on their scores. Additionally, certificates of merit are awarded based on final standings.