International Brain Bee

Access past Brain Bee questions, detailed explanations, and exclusive preparation materials for the new season – free!

The Brain Bee is an international neuroscience competition open to students in grades 5–12 worldwide. Recognized as one of the 7 top global competitions that can strengthen applications to prestigious universities, Brain Bee is known for its high academic rigor. Every year, over 100,000 students worldwide participate. Many winners have been admitted to elite universities such as Princeton, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, Tsinghua University, and Peking University, making this competition highly influential and a powerful asset for competitive university applications.

New! 2026 Brain Bee Knowledge Outline

Latest Results: Past Brain Bee China Division results

2026 Season: Brain Bee competitions are currently underway!

Brain Bee Competition Consultation & Course Access ⇓

2026 Brain Bee Competition Dates

  • Regional Competitions: March 21, 2026

  • National Competitions: April 18–19, 2026

  • International Competition: August 2026

2025 Brain Bee China Regional Awards and Qualifiers

Eligibility and Registration

  • Participants: Students in grades 5–12.

  • Regional Registration: Students register through their base schools. Registration for base school students is open until January 25, 2026. Individual registration is not accepted during this period.

  • Individual Registration: For students whose schools are not base schools, an individual registration channel will open from January 26–February 1, 2026, with venues arranged accordingly. The registration link will be announced on January 26, 2026.

Competition Divisions

  • Grades 9–12: Brain Bee

  • Grades 5–8: Brain Bee Junior

Competition Language

  • Regional and national competitions are in Chinese, with all technical terms presented in both Chinese and English.

  • Participants may answer using either Chinese or English (including abbreviations for technical terms). Correct answers will receive full credit.

Brain Bee Knowledge Areas

Essential Topics for Participants:

1. Brain Basics

  • Brain Structure

  • Brain Anatomy

  • Neurons

  • Neural Communication Principles

  • Brain Development

  • Brain Plasticity

  • Brain Aging

2. Brain Functions

  • Sensory Function

  • Learning and Memory

  • Language System

  • Motor System

  • Sleep System

  • Stress Response

  • Motivation and Emotion

3. Brain Disorders

  • Childhood Disorders

  • Addiction

  • Degenerative Diseases

  • Psychiatric Disorders

  • Brain Injuries

4. Brain Research

  • History of Neuroscience Research

  • Brain Imaging

  • Gene Therapy

  • Deep Brain Stimulation

  • Brain-Computer Interfaces

  • Neural Networks and AI

  • Neurolaw and Ethics

  • Latest breakthroughs in neuroscience research, drugs, and treatments

5. Brain Enhancement

  • Mindfulness and Meditation

  • Exercise

  • Neuroscience in Education

  • AI and Wearable Devices

Click to see more Brain Bee exam content

Competition Format

The Brain Bee follows a three-tier structure: Regional → National → International.

Regional Competition

  • Time: Held simultaneously at all base schools.

  • Format: Closed-book written exam for both Brain Bee (grades 9–12) and Brain Bee Junior (grades 5–8).

  • Question Types: Multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank. Technical terms provided in both Chinese and English.

  • Number of Questions: Brain Bee – 80 questions; Brain Bee Junior – 60 questions. Each question is worth 1 point.

  • Answer Guidelines: Multiple choice – select the correct letter; Fill-in-the-blank – answer in Chinese or English; technical term abbreviations allowed.

National Competition

Brain Bee (Grades 9–12)

  • Individual competition, consisting of:

    1. Written Exam: 50 questions (fill-in and multiple choice, 1 point each) – 50 points

    2. Specimen/Image Recognition: Identify brain structures from images, CT, MRI, etc., 13 questions, 2 points each – 26 points

    3. Case Diagnosis: Analyze patient cases (video, images, text), 8 cases, 3 points each – 24 points

  • Questions in Chinese, technical terms provided in Chinese and English; non-multiple-choice questions can be answered in Chinese or English, abbreviations allowed.

Brain Bee Junior (Grades 5–8)

  • Two components:

    1. Written Exam (40 points): Individual, 40 questions, 1 point each, multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank

    2. Scientific Poster (40 points): Team activity, 4–5 students per team. Create and present a poster on a given theme within a set time. Team score applies to all members. Posters may be in Chinese or English; language choice does not affect scoring.

International Competition

  • Each country/region sends one student to compete internationally.

  • The highest-scoring first-prize winner from the Brain Bee (grades 9–12) in China will represent China at the International Brain Bee and is invited to attend the FENS 2025 Annual Meeting.

Awards

Regional & National Awards

  • Overall Award Rate: ~40% of participants

  • Regional awards are based on scores within provinces/cities/regions.

  • National awards are based on cumulative scores across all segments. Organization awards are also given based on school performance.

International Awards

  • All participants receive a certificate of achievement.

  • Top 3 winners: Cash prizes and medals

    • 1st Place: $3,000 + personalized plaque

    • 2nd Place: $2,000

    • 3rd Place: $1,000

IBB Neuroanatomy/Neurohistology Award

  • Recognizes outstanding performance in the neuroanatomy/neurohistology section of the IBB World Championship.

  • Includes $100 prize and a book on Santiago Ramón y Cajal, highlighting his contributions to neuroscience through artistic brain illustrations.

Past Score Thresholds

Year Division 1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize
2025 Brain Bee ≥63 53–62.5 45–52.5
Brain Bee Junior 60–80 55–59.5 50–54.5
2024 Brain Bee ≥85 77–84.5 66–76.5
Brain Bee Junior ≥70 66–69.5 60–65.5
2023 Brain Bee ≥87 80–86.5 70–79.5
Brain Bee Junior ≥69 61–68.5 54–60.5

Why Participate in Brain Bee?

  • Open to Beginners: No prior biology knowledge required; just curiosity and passion for the brain.

  • High Recognition: Increasing international influence; countries including the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, and more participate.

  • Expand Knowledge: Strengthen biology and neuroscience knowledge, broaden scientific skills, and enhance academic profile.

Organizers

The event is jointly organized by:

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

  • Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)

  • Society for Neuroscience (SfN)

  • Dana Foundation

  • International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)

  • Alzheimer’s Association

Sponsors

(Details omitted for website space)

Note: This website is not the official Brain Bee site. Brain Bee Club provides competition guidance and preparation materials.

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