British Biology Olympiad
An online biology competition for senior secondary students that challenges them to apply core biological principles, problem-solving skills and reasoning to familiar and unfamiliar topics.
BIOLOGY
British Biology Olympiad
Competition Overview
Academic Value / Why Participate
BBO encourages students to extend their biological understanding, apply core principles to unfamiliar material and develop scientific problem-solving skills. The competition is intended to support enrichment of biology in schools and colleges.Who It Suits
PINNACLE's New Zealand entry is for Years 11-13 students with a strong interest in biology who enjoy challenging questions and applying biological principles beyond routine classroom contexts.Prerequisites and Readiness
Students should have a strong foundation in senior secondary biology and be prepared to reason through unfamiliar biological topics. The official competition accepts the relevant senior school years in the UK and equivalent year groups in other countries.
ROUND 1
Open Round
Exam Date & Time
17:00-18:30, Wed 20 Jan 2027
Registration Deadline
Friday, 8 January 2027
FURTHER ROUNDS & PROGRESSION
Explore the later stages of the competition. Progression is subject to the organiser's current qualification requirements.
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
Semifinal Round
The Semifinal Round builds on the earlier stage with more advanced questions and deeper application.
Exam Date & Time
Saturday, 16 May 2026 · 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (NZT)
Registration Deadline
Friday, 1 May 2026 · 11:59 pm (NZT)
All resources
Past Papers
Guide
Rules and
Exam Instructions
A GOOD PLACE TO BEGIN
RESOURCES & PAST PAPERS
Find available practice, curriculum guidance and competition rules.
Practice
No resources found for these filters.
THE RIGHT SUPPORT. AT YOUR STAGE
PREPARATION COURSES
Explore the programme, choose a teaching format and review the full tuition before enrolling.
CLASS
Placement for Advanced Class is confirmed after consultation.
STAGE
REGULAR CLASS · OPEN ROUND PREPARATION
Open Round Preparation
Build neuroscience knowledge, then apply it to research figures, experimental evidence and unfamiliar questions.
16 hours total
8 x 2-hour lessons
· Connect neural structures with function and disease.
· Intepret graphs, experiments and research extracts.
· Complete an Open Round-style mock with an individual error review.
Session 1 — Foundations
……Session 2 — Core concepts
……Session 3 — Problem solving
……
Choose your teaching format
Small-group preparation with up to 3 students, offering structured teaching, guided practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,060
per student · full programme
Focused preparation for two students learning together, with guided teaching, targeted practice and personalised feedback.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,280
per student · full programme
Fully personalised one-to-one preparation with teaching, practice and feedback tailored to the student's needs.
16 hours · 8 × 2-hour sessions
NZ$1,840
per student · full programme
Select a teaching format to view tuition, lesson format and enrolment details.
Competition Gallery
Submission and Confirmation
Please check your email address carefully before submitting the registration form.
Once you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email automatically.
All other important communications (including the Exam Instructions, Results and Certificates, etc) will be sent to the email address you submitted to us. Please check your email inbox and junk mail / spam folder regularly!
What Happens Next?
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Registration Received
We will send you a confirmation email
We may review your registration if required
Eligibility Review
You will receive the Exam Instructions closer to the date
Exam Instructions
Participate and do your best!
Competition Day
Competition Overview
British Biology Olympiad
The British Biology Olympiad (BBO) challenges students with an interest in biology to extend their understanding and demonstrate their skills. The competition consists of two 45-minute multiple-choice papers completed online under on-site supervision at the registered school or college. For PINNACLE participants in New Zealand, the two papers are completed in one supervised, in-person sitting in Auckland.- BBO encourages students to extend their biological understanding, apply core principles to unfamiliar material and develop scientific problem-solving skills. The competition is intended to support enrichment of biology in schools and colleges.
- PINNACLE's New Zealand entry is for Years 11-13 students with a strong interest in biology who enjoy challenging questions and applying biological principles beyond routine classroom contexts.
- All participating students receive an e-certificate through their school and are eligible for BioNet membership of the Royal Society of Biology.
- BBO is the first stage of the UK selection pathway for the International Biology Olympiad. Further UK training and assessment invitations are for top-scoring students at schools in the UK; students participating through PINNACLE in New Zealand take BBO as a standalone competition.