Questions and answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about the Junior Neuro Bee competition, cost, eligibility, prep materials, and how the event works.
About the Competition
What is Junior Neuro Bee?
Junior Neuro Bee is a free, virtual neuroscience competition for students in grades 6-8. It runs on Zoom and tests what students have learned about the brain and nervous system, using the official Brain Facts study guide as the foundation.
How is Junior Neuro Bee different from the official Brain Bee?
The official Brain Bee is built for high school students. Junior Neuro Bee is built specifically for grades 6-8, matched to that age group's level. Junior Neuro Bee is not affiliated with or a division of the official Brain Bee.
When is the competition?
The Junior Neuro Bee competition takes place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, entirely on Zoom. It starts at 10:00 AM Pacific Time and wraps up by 1:00 PM.
When does registration close?
Registration closes October 7. Register early so you get email updates as soon as they go out.
How does the format work?
Students take an auto-graded written round first. About 10 finalists are announced and move on to a live verbal final round the same day. Winners are announced at the awards ceremony before the event closes.
Are there prizes?
Yes. Biolympiads is sponsoring $2,925 in course prizes for top finishers, including Advanced Brain Bee course credit, seats in the Brain Bee quizzes camp, and Brain Bee question banks. Entering is always free.
Cost and Eligibility
How much does it cost to enter?
Nothing. Registration, the prep course, and all study materials are completely free, with no hidden fees at any stage.
Who can register?
Any student currently in grades 6-8 can register, regardless of school, location, or prior competition experience.
Do I need any prior neuroscience knowledge to join?
No. The prep course starts from the basics, so students with zero background can prepare alongside students who already know the material.
Prep and Studying
What is the Skool prep course?
It's a free, chapter-by-chapter study community built on the official Brain Facts study guide from the Society for Neuroscience. Students work through it at their own pace before the competition.
Are there live classes to help me study?
Yes. Junior Neuro Bee runs free live Brain Facts classes covering key topics, and recordings are posted in the Skool community for anyone who can't attend live.
How much time should my student spend preparing?
Start as early as possible. The best approach is to work through the official Brain Facts study guide directly, using the free Skool prep course as a companion alongside it. Read a section of the book, then use the matching Skool chapter to reinforce it. There's no minimum, but starting early gives students the most time to absorb the material at their own pace.
Logistics
What do we need on competition day?
A computer or tablet with Zoom, a stable internet connection, and a quiet space to focus. No special equipment is required.
How do I get updates about registration or the competition?
Register early and you'll get email updates automatically. You can also join the Skool community, where all Junior Neuro Bee announcements are posted.
Who do I contact with more questions?
Reach out through the Contact page and the team will respond directly.
Still have a question? Contact the team
Ready to Compete?
It's free, it's online, and it's built for grades 6-8.