During the first ten days of instruction, university professors and experts in research and undergraduate/graduate teaching will be assisted by former USABO Finalists in teaching laboratory techniques and conceptual understanding to the finalists. After the ten days of instruction, a 9-hour long exam occurs, with students required to take the exams on the scheduled dates. This exam is divided into two sections: a 6 hour long practical exam and a 3-hour theoretical exam containing true/false questions and multiple choice questions. The scores from the two exams are combined to form a comprehensive ranking, with the 9th-12th placed finalists receiving a bronze medal, the 5th-8th placed finalists receiving a Silver medal, and the 1st-4th placed medalists receiving a Gold medal, and the chance to compete on the US national team in the IBO.