Vlaamse Biologie Olympiade

A brochure (information, rules, instructions, report of the IBO) +  poster  is  sent  to  the  science  teachers  of  every  secondary school and to some (science) journalists.
You will find the information of the brochure on the website.

The  Natural  Sciences  Olympiads  (Biology,  Chemistry, Physics) are coordinated by a University Coordination centre (printed  matter,  inscriptions,  sponsor  hunting,  website, markings, final rounds…) 
Each section has his own organizing committee and working groups and takes independently care of his flyers, inscriptions and tests.
The Biology Olympiad  is organized  in  three  rounds. The  first preselection    takes  place  in  February  simultaneously  at  5 different   universities  for a 1000 participants  (six  formers + a minority  of  the  5th  year).  40  finalists  are  selected  for  the second  round  which  implies  home study  of  a  given  syllabus.
The  15  best  of  the  second  test are  invited  to  follow a 4 day training during Easter holidays. They pass a final test  in May.
The 2 best of this final test are selected for the IBO.

- pre-selection (Febr.): 45 multiple choice questions/ 3 hours (model questions available on the website)
- second round (March): 30 multiple choice questions/2,5 h
- final test (April): theoretical and practical test  + oral exam/1 day

4  days  during  Easter  holidays  at  Universities  +  Natural Sciences  Museum.

Covers  topics  which  are  not  or  poorly covered by school curricula

A general syllabus is published  by the organizing committee

Prizes  are  diplomas  and  science  books.

No  money,  no medals.

No  specific  access  to  anything  (university  or  so)  is linked to this ‘graduation’.

Limited  to  some  daily  newspapers.

The  result  of  the  NBO (laureates) is published in local newspapers.

Most  important support comes  from  the Ministry of Education of  the Flemish Community + some money  from  the Brussels Regional Government.

Limited private sponsoring.

Financial  support  for  organization  of  national  Olympiad  and participation to the International Biology Olympiad 

Flyer with general information, rules, procedure and content of the test is available in Dutch (see also website). 

- first round: 1100 participants: 40 candidates selected
- second round: 15 finalists selected
- third round: 2 laureates selected for IBO 
(detailed report on the 12th IBO Belgium July 8- 15, 2001)