Study Plan
School-Year Study Plan
A week-by-week roadmap from the start of the school year to the Open Exam. It is the club's suggested plan, not a requirement. Plan on 2–3 hours per week outside club meetings. That is enough if you are consistent. Skip a week when you need to. The plan adjusts.
Phase 1
Foundations
Phase 2
Core Biology
Phase 3
Advanced Biology
Phase 4
Application & Data Analysis
Phase 5
Mock Exams
Phase 6
Final Review
1Foundations
Start here
- Take the Quick Practice set as a diagnostic (no studying first).
- Learn the four-question routine for reading an experiment.
- Set your start date on this page.
Molecules and enzymes
- Read: Macromolecules and Enzymes and kinetics.
- Be able to sketch a Michaelis–Menten curve with and without a competitive inhibitor.
Membranes and transport
- Read: Membranes and transport, Organelles and protein sorting.
- Explain tonicity vs. osmolarity in your own words.
2Core Biology
Energy: respiration and photosynthesis
- Read: Bioenergetics, Cellular respiration, Photosynthesis.
- Predict the effect of an uncoupler vs. an electron-transport inhibitor.
Signaling and the cell cycle
- Read: Cell signaling, The cell cycle.
- Trace a GPCR → cAMP → PKA pathway and name where it can be switched off.
Gene expression
- Read: DNA replication, Transcription, Translation.
- Classify mutations by their effect on the protein.
Gene regulation and techniques
- Read: Gene regulation, Molecular techniques.
- Work lac operon partial-diploid problems until they are routine.
Mendelian genetics and pedigrees
- Read: Mendelian inheritance, Pedigrees, Beyond simple dominance.
- Solve pedigree problems by ruling patterns out.
Linkage and population genetics
- Read: Linkage and mapping, Population genetics.
- Complete one three-point cross from start to finish.
Evolution and phylogenetics
- Read all Evolution sections.
- Read five phylogenetic trees without being misled by tip order.
3Advanced Biology
Ecology and behavior
- Read: Population ecology, Species interactions, Ecosystems.
- Read: Innate and learned behavior, Social behavior.
Plant biology
- Read all Plant Biology sections.
- Calculate water potential in three different scenarios.
Human physiology I
- Read: Neurons, Endocrine regulation, The immune system.
- Tell primary from secondary endocrine defects by the hormone pattern.
Human physiology II and animal biology
- Read: Circulation and gas exchange, The kidney.
- Read: Comparative organ systems, Animal development.
4Application & Data Analysis
Mixed data practice
- Do one Mixed Practice set each session this week.
- For every miss, write one sentence about what you misread.
- Optional: take the official USABO practice exam if the window is open (check the official calendar).
5Mock Exams
Mock exam 1
- Take a full, timed mock in one sitting.
- Review every explanation, including for questions you got right.
Mock exam 2 and weak areas
- Do Weak-Area Practice twice.
- Take a second timed mock (it will use different questions).
6Final Review
Final review
- Keep it light: one Quick Practice set and a re-read of your Common Mistakes notes.
- Confirm exam time and location with the club sponsor.
- Sleep.
Students who advance to the Semifinal Exam will get a separate plan from club officers covering multiple true/false practice, short-answer practice, and deeper reading.