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Q: What is the SBO (Singapore Biology Olympiad)? A: The Singapore Biology Olympiad (SBO) is Singapore's national biology competition for JC and IP Year 5–6 students taking H2 Biology. It is historically organised by the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and the Singapore Institute of Biology. Top performers may be selected for Singapore's International Biology Olympiad (IBO) training team.
TL;DR The SBO tests H2-level and beyond biology knowledge through a theory-based exam. It is the main national selection pathway for Singapore's IBO team. Always confirm dates, format, and eligibility against the latest official organiser circular for your cohort.
Registration quick answer (Singapore): Schools typically nominate candidates — confirm the current registration process with your school's biology teacher-in-charge and check for announcements from NUS Biological Sciences or the Singapore Institute of Biology.
1 What is SBO?
The Singapore Biology Olympiad (SBO) is a national-level biology competition historically organised by the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and the Singapore Institute of Biology (SIB). It targets JC and IP Year 5–6 students who are studying or have completed H2 Biology.
The competition is primarily theory-based. Top-performing students are considered for the national training team that represents Singapore at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
2 Eligibility and format
Aspect
Detail (confirm with the latest organiser circular)
Target level
JC1/JC2 and IP Year 5–6 students taking H2 Biology
Registration
Typically through school nomination — confirm with your teacher-in-charge
Theory exam
Historically a written paper covering biology topics at and beyond H2 level
The depth expected generally exceeds the A-Level H2 syllabus — students benefit from exposure to first-year university biology concepts.
4 How SBO connects to IBO
The Singapore biology olympiad pathway is:
SJBO (Secondary) → SBO (JC/IP) → IBO training team → IBO
Top SBO performers are typically identified for Singapore's IBO training programme, which involves further selection rounds and intensive preparation. Read more about the international competition in our International Biology Olympiad (IBO) guide.
5 Building strong foundations
Olympiad biology demands breadth and depth well beyond the school syllabus, but a rock-solid grasp of H2 Biology fundamentals is the essential starting point. Students who are still building confidence in core A-Level concepts benefit from structured support before attempting olympiad-level material.
Eclat does not offer olympiad-specific tuition, but our A-Level Biology tuition focuses on building the deep conceptual understanding and analytical habits that underpin all advanced biology work — including olympiad preparation.
6 Tips for prospective candidates
Master the H2 syllabus first. Olympiad problems build on — not replace — the school curriculum.
Read beyond the syllabus. University-level biology textbooks (e.g. Campbell Biology, Alberts' Molecular Biology of the Cell) are commonly recommended.
Practise past papers. If your school has access to past SBO papers or IBO past papers, work through them to gauge the expected depth.
Develop breadth. Unlike some olympiads that focus on a few topics, biology olympiads span a wide range — do not neglect ecology, evolution, or plant biology.
Talk to your teacher-in-charge. They are your best source for current dates, format changes, and nomination requirements.
DSA and Portfolio Value
An SBO medal is one of the strongest biology credentials a JC or IP student can hold, and is recognised in scholarship applications and JC Direct School Admission portfolios under the Science talent domain. Schools and scholarship panels regard national olympiad results as evidence of advanced analytical ability and genuine subject passion. If you are assembling a DSA application, include your SBO certificate alongside a brief account of your preparation. Building a strong H2 Biology foundation underpins SBO readiness. For a broader discussion of how competition awards are evaluated across subjects, see our Math Olympiad Awards and DSA guide.
Frequently Asked Questions about SBO
What is the Singapore Biology Olympiad (SBO)?
The SBO is Singapore's national biology olympiad, historically organised by the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and the Singapore Institute of Biology. It is aimed at JC and IP Year 5–6 students studying H2 Biology and serves as the primary selection pathway for Singapore's IBO team.
Who organises SBO?
The SBO has historically been organised by the NUS Department of Biological Sciences and the Singapore Institute of Biology (SIB). Confirm the current organisers and contact details through your school or the official NUS and SIB websites.
How do I register for SBO?
Registration is typically through school nomination — individual sign-up is generally not available. Speak to your school's biology teacher-in-charge for details on the nomination process and timeline.
What is the SBO exam format?
The SBO has historically been a theory-based exam covering biology topics at and beyond the H2 level. The exact format and duration may vary between cycles — check the latest official circular for confirmed details.
What topics does SBO cover?
SBO typically covers cell biology, genetics and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, physiology, and biochemistry at and beyond the H2 level. The depth expected generally exceeds the A-Level syllabus.
How does SBO connect to IBO?
Top SBO performers are considered for Singapore's IBO training team. This team undergoes further training and selection before representing Singapore at the International Biology Olympiad. See our IBO guide for more details.
Dates vary by cycle. Check with your school's biology department or the official NUS Biological Sciences and Singapore Institute of Biology websites for current scheduling.
Does Eclat offer SBO preparation?
Eclat does not offer olympiad-specific tuition. However, our A-Level Biology tuition builds the strong H2 Biology foundations that are essential for any advanced biology work, including olympiad preparation.
Last updated 21 Mar 2026 — verify all dates, format, and eligibility against the latest official organiser circular before planning.
