NightShadeQueen

Hey Insorak! Long time no see...

Yeah, I'll agree that finding the old tests is really difficult (I got several off of Scribd, after looking through like twenty pages of search info).

Only studying advice I know - memorize Campbell. Cover to cover. Come on, I know you can do it.

And IJoker? I didn't study nearly that much, and I still got in to Finals.

boomshakalaka

Lol, u guys make me worried. I'm reading Campbell now and haven't finished it. Wat was the cutoff for semi (thats my goal)? I heard its around 30/50 for the last few years right?

samgunno

last year, the open exam was ridiculously esoteric, and the cut-off was 21/50, or something like that.
don't worry about finishing campbell now; as long as you finish it by February (you can skim over the ecology parts), you'll be fine.

boomshakalaka

After looking at past test, I perceived that the test focused much on biochem, Genetics, molecular bio. Is this the case for you as a pervious USABOer?. Is it a good idea to jst skim the classification section and try to learn the charts and graphs? I got everything down (jst need to review biochem, gen, molecular in detail).

Rosaceae

So, I'm doing the USABO for the first time this year. I took AP Bio last year and found it quite easy, had a lot of the diagrams and things memorized, and am in the process of re-reading the book (I forget how many times I read it last year) to refresh for the opens. I'm wondering is there anything else to do to prepare (other than read, re-read, MIT study, possibly some college textbooks, and study past tests)? Thanks for all of your help!

samgunno

cmon, usabo-ers, i dun wanna be the only one commenting on this thread!

@ boomshakalaka: The subjects that you have mentioned are important ones, but that can be said for almost all subjects within campbell.

@ rosaceae: what NightShadeQueen said about Campbell x10000000000. there is so much information packed into the book that knowing all of it should keep you busy for a while. btw, great name. i like it.

billlin12345

Can we get a list of the most important chapters of Campbell's that we have to pay a lot of attention to? And what other books/topics that are covered briefly in Campbell's that we need to know?

boomshakalaka

its so unpredictable. There are years when there are 5-6 evolution questions. There are years when there are none. However, the molecular/biochem section is very prevalent in every test

yalefanboy

I want to get involved with this. My school has zilch knowledge about this kind of thing. I have chekced the website out but it says i need a teacher to recommend me. I don't really feel like having my school start this so I was just wondering what the steps were needed to compete in this by taking it at a different school? Teachers from those schools wouldn't know me, so how would they recommend me? How would i find out where certain schools have this USABO test administered? IS there a different website for this? Help guys!!!!! I am a strong Bio Student. I have taken AP BIO. I have memorized a good portion of Campbell. I think i can be ready by February.

Rosaceae

@sumgunno: Thanks!! Well on to those lovely r-groups then... As to the name, rose family XD Finally a place I can be my plant loving self in with no shame!

iceberg

what chapters are considered "molecular/biochem"?

And also, is memorizing that taxonomy stuff a waste of time?

boomshakalaka

^ True, there are only like 1 to at most 3 after looking at recent tests.

oceaniccross17

What books are you guys using to study for Semis? I know open is primarily from Campbell

iBelieveSo

Also, is there a big enough difference between the 7th and 8th edition campbell, that i should consider buying the 8th? I know the info is most likely the same, but just wondering.

billlin12345

^No, because as you said the information are almost the same, except probably for some modern stuff.