The National Biology Competition (NBC) is an annual competition for secondary school students (grades 9 to 12) to test their knowledge and understanding of biology. After being paused due to disruptions caused by COVID-19, the NBC was revived in 2024 and transitioned to an online format. The first online competition took place successfully on April 18, 2024.

Quick Facts

2025 Competition Date & Time

10:00EST April 16 – 04:00EST April 17, 2025 (tentative)

2025 Registration Period

February 3 – April 14 (23:59EST)

Cost

$7 CAD per student
A minimum registration of 3 students is required.

Exam Length

The exam is 75 minutes long.

Format

50 multiple-choice questions; prepared and reviewed by faculty members in the departments of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto. (Competition materials are available only in English.)

Grading

Each multiple-choice question will have five answer choices, with only one correct answer. To discourage random guessing, the exam score is calculated by awarding one point for each correct answer and subtracting one-third of a point for each incorrect answer. No points are deducted or awarded for unanswered questions. Calculators are not permitted.

Eligibility

Any student can participate in the National Biology Competition, even multiple times (e.g., a student can write both the 2019 and 2020 exams). Registered students in attendance at a secondary school are classified as official contestants and are eligible for individual awards and team competition, including students who complete their studies at the end of the first semester. Students in their first year of CEGEP in Quebec are also eligible.

Team Competition

Schools with at least 5 eligible students will automatically be entered into the team competition and ranked on the Top Schools lists. The team scores are calculated by totaling the scores of the top 5 eligible students at each school.

The top three Canadian schools and the top three schools outside of Canada will each receive a Certificate of Excellence.

Schools entering fewer than 5 eligible students are not eligible for the team competition.

Website link is HERE.

Please email laida.falsetto@burnabyschools.ca if you are interested.

Thank you,

LF