a few questions

[blablablablabla]

I'm hoping to take the exam for SO next year. I've only just started studying any science outside of school. It may seem hopeless, but I can study much more efficiently than normal, and I heard you only need to know stuff in one field (like physics) to adequately pass the test. I'm fine w/ being in a non-competitive team. But since I only just started to study, I need to know the answers to all of them (keep in mind this will be in high school terms):
in general, how many questions are there? how many do you need to get right to pass?
Can you excel in one field (e.g. physics) and suck at all the others yet still pass?
I vaguely remember there being a of "second test" that you had to take once you passed to first one to actually get in. Can someone explain it?
How far do you think a beginner 150-page physics textbook, educator videos, and a few journal articles will get me? What else should I be studying?

[windu34]

I'm hoping to take the exam for SO next year. I've only just started studying any science outside of school. It may seem hopeless, but I can study much more efficiently than normal, and I heard you only need to know stuff in one field (like physics) to adequately pass the test. I'm fine w/ being in a non-competitive team. But since I only just started to study, I need to know the answers to all of them (keep in mind this will be in high school terms):
in general, how many questions are there? how many do you need to get right to pass?
Can you excel in one field (e.g. physics) and suck at all the others yet still pass?
I vaguely remember there being a of "second test" that you had to take once you passed to first one to actually get in. Can someone explain it?
How far do you think a beginner 150-page physics textbook, educator videos, and a few journal articles will get me? What else should I be studying?

There is no "standardized Science Olmypiad exam" so nobody here can help you with that.

[blablablablabla]

There is no "standardized Science Olmypiad exam" so nobody here can help you with that.

I'm asking for a generalization of tests.
If you really can't answer me because tests aren't standarized, I guess the short, general question I'm getting to is "how many fields should you study for and for how long?"

[JasperKota]

I'm pretty sure the test(s) depends on how your school does it. I'm not an expert on this at all, but I think it would be best to focus on one topic you're either interested in or have experience with, but still cover other fields since you can never be too safe. As for how long you should study... as long as you can xD It depends on how much you don't know about the topic, if you're completely brand new to everything, pick the first one (although some focus on later tests so there's less competition) and cram as much as you can. Since you haven't done science outside of school (neither had I prior to scioly) you'll have to put some more time into it compared to someone who enjoys learning science stuff on a regular basis. Make a study guide from the information you get; copy and paste but read the things you take, so you study while preparing to study. If you don't get in for the first test, well at least you did some research on others. Based on how my school does it, there's also building tests, so you can try and take a shot at that too.

[blablablablabla]

I'm pretty sure the test(s) depends on how your school does it. I'm not an expert on this at all, but I think it would be best to focus on one topic you're either interested in or have experience with, but still cover other fields since you can never be too safe. As for how long you should study... as long as you can xD It depends on how much you don't know about the topic, if you're completely brand new to everything, pick the first one (although some focus on later tests so there's less competition) and cram as much as you can. Since you haven't done science outside of school (neither had I prior to scioly) you'll have to put some more time into it compared to someone who enjoys learning science stuff on a regular basis. Make a study guide from the information you get; copy and paste but read the things you take, so you study while preparing to study. If you don't get in for the first test, well at least you did some research on others. Based on how my school does it, there's also building tests, so you can try and take a shot at that too.

thanks for answering
The reason I made this thread is because I'm starting to like science and actually want to study it now. I forgot to include one detail: next year is my first year of high school, so the competition will be much higher than in middle school. I'm confident I have a good chance to pass a middle school test if I study, but a high school one...
yea, nope
last question: what's the difficulty jump from middle school to high school?

[appleshake123]

The difficulty jump varies. Generally, the difficulty will increase because of a broader topic. For example, Anatomy in C division(High school) has 3 systems while B division has 2. For math-based events, difficulty may be dependent on deriving equations instead of just plugging into a well-known given formula.

[blablablablabla]

The difficulty jump varies. Generally, the difficulty will increase because of a broader topic. For example, Anatomy in C division(High school) has 3 systems while B division has 2. For math-based events, difficulty may be dependent on deriving equations instead of just plugging into a well-known given formula.

What about the tests, though?

[Uber]

What about the tests, though?

Tests just depend on the test writer. Sometimes, like UT Austin regionals, the tests were identical, or it might be more comprehensive for div C. Essentially, more stuff and possibly harder (more thinking).

[Unome]

The difficulty jump varies. Generally, the difficulty will increase because of a broader topic. For example, Anatomy in C division(High school) has 3 systems while B division has 2. For math-based events, difficulty may be dependent on deriving equations instead of just plugging into a well-known given formula.

What about the tests, though?

From your first post, it sounds to me like your school runs their program using a single tryout test to determine team members' competence. Specific events focus on material for those events rather than some general topics of science. The more specific your questions are, generally the more likely you are to get good answers. An explanation of specifically what you are planning to do with regards to Science Olympiad (are you new to SO and planning on joining your school's team next year? Are you trying to do some last-minute preparation for a competition in the next few weeks? Wondering whether Div C tests will be vastly different than Div B test? It's tough to tell what you're actually asking).

As for the difficulty gap between B and C, while I personally didn't have much of a problem with the transition, I know that many people on my Div B team aren't as good as they used to be when they were in B. It varies based on individual circumstances.

By the way appleshake; you should update your knowledge. Anatomy hasn't had 2 systems in B since 2014.