What it is

BiOClash is an original biology competition, not a translated IBO/USABO paper archive like BiOrchive, but questions written and reviewed by BiOGuide itself. It's the one part of this site where the content is genuinely ours, not a licensed reproduction.

Right now, it's still being built. Here's what we're planning, and how to hear the moment it's ready.

What's being planned

• Format Planning timed, solo rounds: heavily scrutinized and difficult.
• Scope Aiming to cover the full IBO syllabus.
• Frequency Planning a full season of subject-focused rounds spread across the year: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, Animal Anatomy & Physiology, Genetics & Evolution, Plant Anatomy & Physiology, Ecology, Ethology, and Biosystematics, capped off by a Full Syllabus round in the weeks before IBO, with placements across the season aiming to add up to one cumulative season ranking.
• Timing Subject rounds are planned to run 90 minutes, with the Full Syllabus round given longer. An optional short extension is planned to be available during an attempt, at a competitive cost rather than as free extra time.
• Scoring Planning to rank each round by standardized performance relative to that round's own field, not raw marks, closer to how many real olympiads report results than a simple percentage. Season standing is planned to be a weighted composite across every round, not just an average.

Season calendar

A season is eight rounds: seven subject-focused rounds spread across the year, plus a capstone Full Syllabus Test. Each round contributes to one cumulative season ranking, weighted by subject. Season podium finishers may be recognized with an honorary Junior Partner position at BiOGuide.

Subject rounds are 90 minutes. The FST is 180 minutes. Each round is open for a window (3 days for subject rounds, 1 week for the FST); your personal timer starts when you click Start. A round not attempted simply contributes nothing -- it is not a penalty.

MB-01 winner

Case File MB-01: Molecular Biology & Biochemistry podium holders will get a custom micropipette pen from BiOGuide!

See the full standings on the MB-01 leaderboard on November 17th.

Why it exists

Plenty of biology competitions already exist, but most are institutional, expensive to access, or slow to modernize. BiOGuide itself runs on the same principles as everything else here: non-commercial, built by students, for students. BiOClash is that same approach applied to the competition format itself, not just notes and papers.

Get involved

BiOClash is green-field; nothing is set in stone yet. If you'd want to help design questions, write rounds, or shape the format, this is one of the most open-ended ways to join as a Content Reviewer or Partner. Reach out: resourcerepository4boguide@gmail.com.