Competition Overview

What is Brain Bee?

The Brain Bee originated in the United States and is a high-level academic competition for students in grades 9–12 worldwide. The program encourages students to explore and study the human brain, fostering interest in neuroscience-related careers and ultimately contributing to improvements in human health and quality of life.

After more than 20 years of development, Brain Bee now engages students from over 50 countries and regions. Each year, the organizers hold Brain Bee events in rotation during their academic conferences. Outstanding student representatives are often invited to international conferences, providing a platform for global learning and exchange. Many previous top performers have gone on to attend leading universities in the U.S. and U.K.

Who Can Participate?

The Brain Bee is open to students in grades 5–12 worldwide.

  • Junior Division (Grades 5–8) – For students interested in biology, psychology, chemistry, and AI, who may consider pursuing these fields in the future. No language proficiency requirements.

  • Senior Division (Grades 9–12) – For students applying to programs in biology, psychology, chemistry, AI, or related fields, especially for those who may not be fully confident in English but wish to enhance their academic profile. Suitable for students seeking to strengthen their subject knowledge.

Competition Format

Brain Bee is held in three progressive stages: Local → National → International.

Local Stage

  1. Held simultaneously at all designated locations. In 2024, scheduled for March 2, 10:00–11:30 AM.

  2. Both Brain Bee (Grades 9–12) and Brain Bee Junior (Grades 5–8) are closed-book written exams.

    • Duration: 90 minutes

    • Questions: 80, mixed fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice, 1 point per question

    • Fill-in-the-blank answers require technical terms or brief descriptions, no essays.

    • Exam is in Chinese, with technical terms provided in Chinese and English. Correct answers receive full points, regardless of language used (Chinese, English, or English abbreviations).

National Stage

Senior Division (Grades 9–12) – Individual competition with three sections:

  1. Written Exam: 60 questions (fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice), 1 point each, total 60 points

  2. Specimen/Image Identification: 15 items, 2 points each, total 30 points

  3. Patient Diagnosis: 10 cases (video, images, or text), 3 points each, total 30 points

    • Technical terms may be answered in Chinese, English, or abbreviations

Junior Division (Grades 5–8) – Combination of written exam and scientific poster:

  1. Written Exam: 60 questions, 1 point each, total 60 points

  2. Scientific Poster (Team, 4–5 members): Teams prepare a poster on a given theme, present it, and score is applied to each team member. Poster and presentation can be in Chinese or English, language choice does not affect scoring.

International Stage

  • Each country or region may send one student to represent them.

  • In China, the highest-scoring first-place winner in the Senior Division qualifies for the 2024 Brain Bee International, and is invited to attend the 2024 FENS Academic Conference.

Competition Rules

  • Integrity: All participants must uphold the highest standards of honesty. Cheating results in immediate disqualification.

  • The competition is conducted professionally to ensure a positive and fair experience. Detailed rules are provided to participants closer to the event.

Allowed Materials:

  • Personal writing tools: pens, pencils, erasers, sharpeners

  • Non-native English speakers may use unannotated translation dictionaries, checked before the exam

Prohibited Items:

  • Mobile phones, programmable calculators, other electronic devices, or additional written materials.

  • Bringing prohibited items may result in immediate disqualification.

Awards

Local & National Stages:

  • Approximately 40% of participants receive awards.

  • Local Stage: Awards distributed based on scores within each province, municipality, or region; includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes for both Senior and Junior Divisions.

  • National Stage: Total participants ~450.

    • 300 spots: allocated by regional participation proportion, top scorers advance

    • 150 spots: merit-based, top scorers among remaining students across regions

  • National awards also include organization awards for schools demonstrating exceptional overall participation

International Awards:

  • All participants receive certificates of achievement

  • Top three winners receive cash prizes and medals:

    • 1st: $3,000 + personalized plaque

    • 2nd: $2,000

    • 3rd: $1,000

IBB Neuroanatomy & Histology Award:

  • Recognizes excellence in the neuroanatomy/histology section at the IBB World Championship

  • Prize includes $100 and a book about Nobel laureate Santiago Ramón y Cajal and his contributions to neuroscience through artistic brain illustrations

  • Donated by Dr. Linda J. Richards, Chair of Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis and Edison Professor of Neuroscience, a long-time Brain Bee supporter and founder of the Australian Brain Bee Challenge

Core Knowledge Areas

Brain Basics

  • Brain Structure & Anatomy

  • Neurons and Neural Communication

  • Brain Development, Plasticity, and Aging

Brain Functions

  • Sensory Systems, Learning & Memory, Language, Movement, Sleep

  • Stress, Motivation, and Emotion

Brain Disorders

  • Childhood Disorders, Addiction, Degenerative Diseases, Psychiatric Disorders

  • Illness and Injury

Brain Research

  • History of Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Genetics, Deep Brain Stimulation

  • Brain-Computer Interfaces, Neural Networks & AI

  • Neurolaw & Ethics, Latest Research Updates

Brain Enhancement

  • Mindfulness & Meditation, Exercise, Education

  • Artificial Intelligence & Wearable Technology

Online Consultation
Online Consultation