Past Papers

One-Stop BBO Biology Olympiad Preparation Resources

The official BBO Biology Olympiad website provides a comprehensive and systematic set of preparation resources for students worldwide. These materials include past papers, practice tests, recommended reading lists, core topic notes, and professional biology vocabulary lists, all designed to help students:

• Fully understand the exam structure and requirements

• Master key biological concepts

• Improve problem-solving efficiency and exam performance

By making effective use of these official resources, students can conduct targeted revision, strengthen weak areas, and significantly enhance their competitive results.

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BBO Preparation Resources Overview

• BBO Past Papers and Solutions

• BBO Practice Tests

• BBO Topic Notes

• BBO Recommended Reading List

• BBO Self-Study Websites

• International Biology Competition Vocabulary

• BBO Curated Lecture Notes

• High-Achieving Students’ Biology Notes

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BBO Past Papers

The UK Biology Competitions (UKBC) continuously develops new ways to challenge students and actively involves academic researchers to reflect cutting-edge developments in biology. As a result, the style and focus of BBO questions may vary slightly from year to year.

Official past papers are publicly available; however, official answer keys are not provided. We have compiled and organized past BBO papers with full answer explanations, available for free download via QR code.

Students are encouraged to use these papers as inspiration and complete them through independent research to deepen conceptual understanding.
For students with a strong biology foundation who aim to apply to G5 universities, especially for competitive majors such as medicine and biological sciences, the BBO serves as an excellent academic enrichment and background credential.

Available Past Papers

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BBO Practice Tests

These BBO practice tests are strictly designed according to the latest 2025 syllabus, precisely covering all core modules, including:

• Cell Biology

• Genetics and Evolution

The question bank is systematically structured with progressive difficulty levels and includes detailed explanations, enabling students to efficiently identify knowledge gaps and consolidate their understanding.

Students preparing for the competition may scan the QR code to download the practice tests for free.

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BBO Topic Notes

• Total of 107 pages

• Covers nearly all exam topics appearing in USABO and BBO past papers

• Key concepts and challenging topics are organized by chapter

• Includes high-resolution diagrams and illustrations for clarity

Only selected pages are shown due to length limitations.

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Six Essential Books for BBO Preparation

For international biology competitions, early accumulation of English scientific vocabulary is essential. Students are strongly encouraged to improve terminology mastery through vocabulary memorization, English biology textbooks, and academic reading.

1. Biology by Campbell

One of the most comprehensive biology textbooks available, covering topics from biochemistry to systematics. It is a core textbook for biology majors at universities worldwide and a highly recommended resource for biology competitions. Students with limited preparation time should prioritize this book.

2. Human Physiology by Vander

A systematic and well-illustrated introduction to human physiology. Particularly suitable for students interested in medicine and biomedical sciences. It also supports preparation for exams such as BMAT and UKCAT.

3. Plant Biology by Raven

Introduces fundamental concepts, core knowledge, and recent advances in plant physiology. Suitable for students interested in natural sciences and plant biology. Topics include plant cells, structure, metabolism, and growth.

4. Biochemistry by John Wiley & Sons

Provides detailed explanations of metabolic processes in living organisms. Ideal for students interested in biochemistry and for expanding knowledge beyond A-Level or IB biology.

5. Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts

Often referred to as the “bible of molecular biology,” this book covers biomolecular-level concepts with clear structure and vivid explanations. Highly recommended for BBO preparation and early university-level study.

6. Essentials of Genetics by Klug

Offers an in-depth overview of genetics, including human origins, survival, and evolution. The latest editions incorporate recent advances in genetics, making it ideal for students interested in genes and heredity.

The complete recommended reading list and topic notes are packaged and available.
Scan the QR code to obtain the full-color, high-resolution PDF version.

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Five Highly Recommended Self-Study Websites for BBO

In addition to standard syllabus content, BBO questions often reference recent scientific discoveries. Students are encouraged to expand extracurricular reading, particularly through international journals and academic websites.

Bio Topics

Managed by UK educators, this site provides extensive biology resources and video links, suitable for middle and high school students preparing for biology competitions.

Royal Society of Biology

The official website of the Royal Society of Biology, particularly useful for molecular biology content related to Section B topics.

biology.arizona.edu

The University of Arizona’s biology education website, featuring animations, video lectures, and online quizzes. Highly suitable for international school students and competition preparation.

NIGMS

Provides foundational biomedical science research resources. Especially valuable for students planning to pursue biomedical-related fields.

Biology Online

One of the most comprehensive biology terminology and topic databases worldwide. Since 2001, it has been a trusted resource for educators, students, and professionals. The platform offers access to over 75,000 biology terms, discoveries, insights, and trends.

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Essential Vocabulary for International Biology Competitions (200 Terms)

Only selected content is shown due to length.
Free download available via QR code.

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High-Achieving Students’ Biology Notes (180 Pages)

Only selected content is shown due to length.
Free download available via QR code.

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BBO Curated Lecture Notes

These lecture notes are written strictly according to the official BBO syllabus, covering seven major modules:

• Animal Physiology

• Plant Physiology

• Cell Biology

• Genetics

• Animal Behaviour

• Ecology

• Evolution

Each chapter includes relevant past competition questions, allowing students to immediately assess learning outcomes.

All key concepts are supported by detailed and vivid illustrations, as biology concepts can be abstract when presented solely through text. The combination of diagrams and explanations significantly improves comprehension and memory retention.

BBO lecture notes are available upon consultation.
Access is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.