‘What feature is possessed by angiospermophytes but not by coniferophytes?’
This was one of the many formidable questions we faced in the British Biology Olympiad, sponsored by the Royal Society of Biology. Open to sixth formers around the world, the Olympiad consists of two 50 question papers. The questions on these papers are not the type that spring to mind when one thinks ‘biology exam’.
Instead of being asked to label a plant cell, we were challenged with questions that contained words we had never even heard of, on topics we had never specifically studied, but that require a holistic understanding of biology.
Unlike so many exams today, rote learning of the syllabus was not required; in fact, the Olympiad is not even confined to a syllabus. We were challenged and stimulated by questions from every corner of Biology, and that is what makes the Olympiad such a rewarding experience.
Oundle had many medallists this year - 19 was a record. Three of us achieved Gold, placing us in the top 6.6% of the 7200 students who participated. Many thanks must go to our teachers for enabling us to take part, and helping us to develop the understanding and knowledge that allowed us to succeed and to secure invitations to the awards ceremony at the Royal Institution this summer.
Emilia Broadbent (L)