See Programme for this year’s key dates.

National Entrance Exam

Fifth Wednesday of Term 3 – this is a two hour multiple choice, true / false, short answer, and simple calculations exam sat at your school under formal exam supervision. Your thinking skills, and ability to understand and apply supplied biological information are tested. It is similar to ICAS science examinations and does not require any curriculum specific knowledge. Question contexts highlight current biological research in NZ and are designed to give you a glimpse of the interesting and varied paths biology can take. This exam is excellent practice if you intend to sit NZQA Scholarship Biology in the future.

The entrance exams from 2021 and 2022 are attached here to help you prepare. 2021 NZIBO Entrance Exam, 2021 Entrance Exam Answers, 2022 NZIBO Entrance Exam, 2022 Entrance Exam Answers

Camp Selection Exam

Fifth week of Term 1 – this is a two-hour, multi-choice exam delivered in a secure online format and must be sat under supervision at your school. This exam tests your knowledge and understanding of the content covered during the tutorial programme; Cell structure and function, Ecology, Plant anatomy & physiology, Animal anatomy & physiology and Genetics & evolution. The textbook Campbell & Reece, Biology, 12th Edition (or similar), is an essential study resource for this exam with an e-text provided to students in the tutorial programme.

Further information will be provided during the tutorial programme to students intending to sit this exam.

A sample selection exam and set of model answers is provided here.

Final March Selection Exam 2011

Selection Exam Model Answers 2011

Team Selection Exam

Completion of all question sets and assignments in the tutorial programme and training at the Practical training Camp should ensure that you are fully prepared to sit the theoretical and practical exams held during the training camp. Their completion will be used as part of the criteria for the selection of students to attend the training camp. These exams are structured similarly to IBO papers and all content is assessable. Sample IBO questions can be found here http://www.ibo-info.org/ and are excellent practice for the Team Selection Exam.

NZ Team Training

Students representing NZ are supported to continue their study until the IBO competition itself. Tutors and team leaders will provide suggested practice activities and resources directly to team members. 

The International Biology Olympiad - http://www.ibo-info.org/
All the information you will need about the IBO programme including the rules, syllabus, and past exam papers for practice.