This page is under review
and will be updated soon

 

Entrance Exam

August – 2 hour Entrance exam, multiple choice, resource based and does not require specific curriculum knowledge. This is a national exam and heavily promoted to ensure entrance of all suitable students from throughout NZ.

The top students from the Entrance exam are encouraged to participate in study of the IBO curriculum via email tutorials. They complete a series of directed questions based on the IBO curriculum and then receive feedback on their work. They are encouraged to discuss their understanding of the topics with each other and the tutorial coordinator via email.

To aid in your prepartion for the entrance exam, here is the exam that was sat in 2008. For ease of download, the exam has been split into four sections. The marking sheet is also available.

2008 Entrance Exam Questions 1-22
2008 Entrance Exam Questions 22-40
2008 Entrance Exam Questions 41-61
2008 Entrance Exam Questions 62-80
2008 Answer Sheet

Selection Exam

February – 2 hour multi-choice Selection exam, based on 2/3 of the IBO curriculum.

Based on the Selection exam, the top students (numbers are financially constrained) are invited to attend a residential training and selection camp. They are hosted by a variety of tertiary education providers and complete a variety of practical tasks and attend tutorials on a number of theoretical topics.

April, at the residential training camp – 2 x 3 hour practical examinations AND 2 x 3 hour multiple choice theory exams based on the complete IBO curriculum.

At the end of this camp, the students sit the team selection exams and the top 4 students are selected to represent NZ at the annual IBO competition. The top four students are picked on the basis of their grades in the final 2 theory and 2 practical examinations held during the Practical Training and Selection Camp. Students representing NZ are supported to continue their study until the IBO competition itself and are able to email NZIBO committee members for help. They are also provided with previous IBO exam questions to direct their study.  As these students are spread throughout NZ no further group training occurs.

Study materials

Campbell & Reece 2002. Biology, Sixth Edition. Pearson Education Inc. More recent editions are acceptable.

Awarding of prizes

All students receive a Participation Certificate. Students who complete the tutorial programme receive a Bronze Certificate. Students selected to attend the Practical Training and Selection Camp receive a Silver Certificate and those selected to represent NZ at the IBO receive a Gold Certificate.

Financial support/resources

Provided by various tertiary institutions and commercial sponsors. Students also pay a $30 registration fee to sit the national Entrance exam, $50 to participate in the tutorial programme and $600 to attend the Practical Training and Selection Camp. Students representing NZ receive a financial contribution from the Ministry of Education towards the cost of their travel.

Sample IBO questions can be found at here.