<p>No, I understand that. I meant a 55 is a shoe-in to qualify for nationals. I’m bulking up on cold theory until january (in prep for USNCO), then using a collaboration of sources to get better at what I call “sideways thinking/creative application” of chemistry for ICho.</p>
<p>Weasel are you serious? In our school there are only 3 kids doing the chem olympiad; you’re saying 2 of them will get in regardless of the local exam?</p>
<p>Students who have attended camp in past years are exempt from taking the local exam – they may go directly to the USNCO. But on average, a student needs to have gone to camp for 2 years before they’re good enough to go to IChO in the third year.</p>
<p>are you kidding me? I only have 2 years left in high school, so does that mean I have no shot at IChO?</p>
<p>Oh, nevermind. I can still get in senior year :)</p>
<p>First of all, each section has a limited number of exams so it is possible that if the students in your school are much worse than other students in your area, none of you will be able to take the exam. In my area, however, anyone who is in the top 2 at his/her school can take USNCO because of limited interest. Also, my school always wins the local event so the only people we are competing against to take USNCO are ourselves.</p>
<p>NY is different. It’s a fiercely competetive state with 300 people taking the exam each year. You score in the top 20 or so and in the top 2 in you school, then you go to nationals.</p>