Canadian Biology Olympiad
A free one-hour national biology exam written at school, usually in April. It's the first step toward Canada's International Biology Olympiad team.
Last checked October 5, 2026 against the official page
What do I need to do?
Ask the biology teacher whether the school takes part this spring
- Who acts
- Your child's school
- Preparation
- Some preparation
- Eligible grades
- Grades 9–12
- Format
- Written at the student's own school, supervised by the registering teacher.
- Cost
- Free for schools.
- Official site
- canadianbiologyolympiad.ca
Key dates
- ExpectedExam dayExpected April 2027 (2026: April 9)
Get a reminder before every deadline for your child →
Confirmed official date · Expected based on last year · Not announced yet
What it is
The exam has about 35 questions in one hour, at the level of the Campbell Biology textbook.
Students must be in a Canadian high school and be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The top 10% get gold, the next 20% silver and the next 30% bronze. Top students are invited to a training camp, which was at UBC Okanagan in 2026.
A good fit if: High school students who love biology and read beyond the course.
How to register
- A teacher registers the school first. Students can't register until their school has.
- The organizers say 2027 details will be posted later this year.
How to prepare
- Read through Campbell Biology chapters beyond the Biology 11 and 12 course.
For grade-by-grade options see Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12.
Common questions
Does it cost anything?
No. School registration is free.
Do students get certificates?
Medals are given by percentile, but the CBO says it doesn't issue certificates.
What comes next
Sources
Last checked October 5, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.
Get a reminder before CBO registration
One calm email a month with the deadlines that matter for your child's grade. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.