<aside> ⚠️ This page provides advice on preparing for the USESO Open Exam. If you’re looking for pointers regarding Training Camp, visit Advanced Material.
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Beyond getting a chance to represent the US in the International Earth Science Olympiad, taking the Open Exam will expose you to some (very) cool science, introduce you to an incredible community of Earth science enthusiasts, and hone your general problem-solving skills.
<aside> 💡 USESO stands for United States Earth Science Organization. Every year, the organization administers a National Open Exam to high schoolers across the US and invites ~40 finalists to participate in Training Camp during the summer. Learn more by visiting USESO’s website.
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USESO has published several helpful documents that you should read before continuing.
<aside> 💡 Emmanuel was a member of the US Team at the 16th International Earth Science Olympiad, where he earned a gold medal. The tips provided below are based on his personal experience with the Earth Science Olympiad.
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Reviewing for the Open Exam requires you to brush up on Earth science concepts and apply what you've learned to a variety of practice questions (i.e. past Open Exams).
Fully taking and reviewing an Open Exam can require 4 hours or more. This Archive includes exams from 2021, 2022, and 2023, so that's already ~16 hours of work. This level of commitment isn’t necessary, but it gives you an idea of what preparing for such exams can is like.
<aside> 💡 The 2020 Open Exam is split among the unit practices located at the end of each unit. Exams past 2023 are currently not included in the Archive, but are available on the USESO website.
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There will also be a significant amount of new material. Just like other olympiad competitions, the USESO Open Exam requires you to apply your knowledge to new scenarios and expand your horizons past what you already know.
In previous years, the Open Exam has consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 4 free-response questions (FRQs) given simultaneously over a 2-hour window.
<aside> ⚠️ People are often lured in by the MCQs because they seem more approachable than the FRQs. However, note that some MCQs ask you to select a combination of statements from a given list (e.g. I and III). This can quickly sap your time, so make sure you save enough for the FRQs (for which partial credit is awarded)!
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USESO questions are predominantly conceptual and require a combination of knowledge and logic to answer correctly. The exam writers generally avoid asking questions that require lots of memorization, but some level of memorization is needed so that you understand the jargon and know what the question asks for.
<aside> 💡 For instance, one of the answer options on a past Open was “continental orogen.” Unsurprisingly, the corresponding question was much more difficult for people unfamiliar with the term.
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A solid foundation in Earth science is essential for succeeding on the Open. Reviewing unit assignments will help you build and maintain this foundation. The readings in these assignemtns serve as the equivalent (and more!) of Earth Science by Tarbuck, Lutgens and Tasa, the textbook recommended in the Unofficial Guide.