About MyBO
Malaysian Biology Olympiad (MyBO) is an esteemed annual competition organized centrally, wherein students achieving the highest marks in the Biology Explorer Competition earn invitations to participate in the MyBO competition day. This national olympiad, dedicated to biology and life sciences, serves as a prestigious platform for showcasing academic excellence and fostering a deeper understanding of the natural world. MyBO will select the top-scoring students from the National Selection Camp. These students will then train at the National Training Camp, competing for a place on the four-member Malaysian team for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
Eligibility & the Selection Process
To participate in the Malaysian Biology Olympiad (MyBO) 2026, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
Age Requirement
- Must be born on the 1st of July of 2006 or later.
- Must be 20 years old or younger in the competition year.
Education Status
- Must not have started diploma/degree/equivalent qualification before the 1st of July 2026.
- Must not have completed a pre-university programme (STPM/ STAM/ A-Levels/ IB/ Foundation/ Matrikulasi or equivalent) before the 1st of January 2026.
- Must be currently enrolled or previously in secondary school for general education in Malaysia.
Homeschool are NOT eligible.
Participation Limits
- Must have not participated in International Biology Olympiad (IBO) more than two (2) times.
Citizenship and Residency Requirement
- Must be a Malaysian citizen.
- Must be domiciled in Malaysia.
- Must be studying in a school located in Malaysia.
Not a current student of an educational institution in another country.
Selection Requirement
- Must participate in Biology Explorer Competition (BEC) 2026 and receive an invitation to participate in Malaysian Biology Olympiad (MyBO) 2026.
Four stages take a candidate from the first online round to representing Malaysia at the IBO:
Biology Explorer Competition Online
An online competition open to all primary, secondary, and pre-university students.
Malaysian Biology Olympiad (MyBO) In person · Kuala Lumpur
Top performers from the Biology Explorer Competition will be invited to participate in the second round, known as MyBO, which will be held in person. The venue is located at Kuala Lumpur.
MyBO National Selection Camp Online
The top 20 scorers from MyBO will qualify for the National Selection Camp, conducted online.
20 candidates advance
MyBO National Final Camp In person
The top 4 students from the National Selection Camp will advance to the National Final Camp, held in person. These students will represent Malaysia at the International Biology Olympiad (IBO).
4 candidates represent Malaysia at IBO
Venue & Competition Format
The selected winner from the Biology Explorer Competition 2026 will be invited to participate in the Malaysian Biology Olympiad (MyBO) 2026, and the date will be informed later.
The confirmed venue will be announced at a later date. Students will answer two types of papers: Paper 1 (Theory) and Paper 2 (Practical).
The questions will be provided in English only.
MyBO 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus for MyBO 2026 is based on the IBO 2026 syllabus. Refer to the topics covered in the theoretical and practical exams here: ibo2026.lt
Malaysian Journey at the International Biology Olympiad
The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is a yearly competition that sparks a strong love of biology in the brightest high school students worldwide. Since the 1980s, the IBO has been held in a different country each summer, fostering international collaboration and preparing future scientific leaders. Its core mission is to identify, inspire, and empower the next generation of life science pioneers by providing them with a platform to showcase their skills and build valuable international networks. The 36th IBO competition took place in Quezon City, Philippines, from July 20th to 27th, 2025. In July 2026, the 37th IBO will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania.
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