Re: Science Olympiads
I'd only taken a brief glance at the Physics and Chemistry papers before I was scared off, but I think that's a very good breakdown, Kirjava. They all utilise a different kind of logic, but I do think that Biology is the easiest. Perhaps that's because I have a predilection for the subject and I'm already somewhat versed in the material, but I feel like the questions for Bio are very much feasible, while the other two... not so much. It is a lot like the SC, though a step up in difficulty, naturally. In recent years, they have dumbed it down somewhat by replacing the 15-mark essay question with a series of short responses. After studying for few days, I attempted the 2001 paper and got 25/50 for the multiple choice, which I think at this point bodes well. You don't have to study as much - the topics in the syllabus are ones we've already studied in past years, and I don't have to seek out a uni-level textbook. For example, if I'd bothered to listen in Year 9 science, I'd know all about flowering plants and monocots vs. dicots. 40% or thereabouts might be a good mark for Physics, like you said, but not so much for Bio, I'd think. For those who qualify for the camp, I'd imagine that there'd be a significant gap in percentage between the exam scores of the Physics and Chem scholars versus the Bio scholars. I think for Biology you'd really have to get 80%+.
There's a message on the website from the director of the Biology program stating that this year's exam will focus more on the interpretation of graphs and the prediction of trends, i.e. "thinking" type questions. Which kind of throws a curve ball my way, because I'm terrible at thinking. I would infinitely prefer to just jot down everything I know about a given topic. Oh well... with luck it'll still be okay.