The University of Toronto National Biology Competition (U of T NBC) is a prestigious annual event that challenges high school students to demonstrate their understanding of biological concepts. Designed to stimulate interest in biology and recognize excellence, the competition attracts participants from around the globe.​

Key Dates and Registration Details

• Competition Date: April 16, 2025
• Registration Deadline: March 31, 2025, 4:00 PM IST
• Registration Fee: 7 CAD per student (minimum of 3 students per registration)
• Location: School/ Approved Organizations

Partner Institutions

The U of T NBC is organized by the University of Toronto's Departments of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and Cell & Systems Biology. While the competition is hosted by the University of Toronto, it collaborates with various educational institutions worldwide to facilitate participation. For instance, Biolympiads.com is an official test center for the competition, providing supervision for online participants.

Exam Structure and Content

• Format: 50 multiple-choice questions
• Duration: 75 minutes
• Scoring:
  • +1 point for each correct answer
  • -1/3 point for each incorrect answer
  • No penalty for unanswered questions

• Content Areas:
  • General Biochemistry
  • Cell Structure and Processes
  • Cell Metabolism
  • Genetics
  • Evolution
  • Biological Diversity
  • Plant Structure and Function
  • Vertebrate Structure and Function
  • Ecology
  • Current Topics in Biology

Awards and Recognition

• Individual Awards:
  • Top 1% of Canadian and international participants receive cash prizes:
    • 1st Place: $300 CAD
    • 2nd Place: $200 CAD
    • 3rd Place: $100 CAD
    • Remaining top 1%: $50 CAD each

• Scholarships:
  • Top 15 students with scores above 95% and outstanding academic records may be eligible for a CAD 3,000 scholarship to the University of Toronto's Faculty of Arts & Science.

Preparation Tips

Recommended Textbooks:

• ​Campbell Biology
• ​Human Physiology by Vander
• ​Plant Biology by Raven
• ​Biochemistry by Harvey
• ​Genetics by Brooker
• ​Molecular Biology of the Cell by Alberts

Study Strategies:

• Focus on understanding fundamental concepts in biology.
• Practice with past competition papers to familiarize yourself with the question format.
• Join study groups or forums to discuss challenging topics.
• Allocate regular study time and create a revision schedule leading up to the competition.​