Disease Detective B/C

[SciBomb97]

Are there questions on the div. B tests about incubation periods, airborne vs. contact transmission, and stuff like that about specific diseases?

[rkoopma2]

Are there questions on the div. B tests about incubation periods, airborne vs. contact transmission, and stuff like that about specific diseases?

From my experience, no, but they will probably ask what these are and what the incubation period/mode of transmission in a certain scenario may be.

[Infinity Flat]

Are there questions on the div. B tests about incubation periods, airborne vs. contact transmission, and stuff like that about specific diseases?

The general concepts, yes.
For specific diseases, probably not.

[SirBobo]

Are there questions on the div. B tests about incubation periods, airborne vs. contact transmission, and stuff like that about specific diseases?

Usually, they give you a case of a disease and you will have to make a case definition, odds ratio, stuff like that. Often, tests have other questions asking whether the disease is a virus, bacteria, etc. I have even got some questions about famous scientists in the field. My advice is to study a lot about everything.

[rohitjalaluddin]

The rules for Disease Detectives seem to be getting more and more vague every year, regarding the math part of the event, which is, in itself, the most important part of the competition. :/

You are essentially correct in which you said mathematics is an important part of Disease Detectives competition, but identifying correct diseases, their symptoms and a variety of other information can help assure a proper ranking in tournament.

[Epidemiologist]

The rules for Disease Detectives seem to be getting more and more vague every year, regarding the math part of the event, which is, in itself, the most important part of the competition. :/

You are essentially correct in which you said mathematics is an important part of Disease Detectives competition, but identifying correct diseases, their symptoms and a variety of other information can help assure a proper ranking in tournament.

At the national competition over 60% of the questions were calculation based, not finding information or any other information. It was straight mathematics. That is where my claim is coming from. On the Regional and State number it can be expected that a case will be given and questions specific to the case and broad to epidemiology will be pulled by the case example.

[rkoopma2]

The rules for Disease Detectives seem to be getting more and more vague every year, regarding the math part of the event, which is, in itself, the most important part of the competition. :/

You are essentially correct in which you said mathematics is an important part of Disease Detectives competition, but identifying correct diseases, their symptoms and a variety of other information can help assure a proper ranking in tournament.

At the national competition over 60% of the questions were calculation based, not finding information or any other information. It was straight mathematics. That is where my claim is coming from. On the Regional and State number it can be expected that a case will be given and questions specific to the case and broad to epidemiology will be pulled by the case example.

None of the tests I took last year (Invites, Regionals, States) had disease information other than what could be inferred from the little scenario. Most questions were about epidemiology concepts with some calculations.

[French_Toast]

None of the tests I took last year (Invites, Regionals, States) had disease information other than what could be inferred from the little scenario. Most questions were about epidemiology concepts with some calculations.

I've taken some tests where you were expected to know symptoms and specific foods associated with the major foodborne illnesses(e. coli, salmonella, and norovirus seem to come up more than most) so it never hurts to know these.

[tkc1]

Hey guys, this is my first year competing in Science Olympiad. I'm a sophomore in Division C and last Saturday my team attended an invitational. I had my page of notes based on all the information from the SOInc website. The test turned out much differently than I expected. I didn't realize there were so many calculations involved, and it seemed that when conceptual questions were asked, my notes addressed none of it. Could anyone help me with what I should focus on and how I should revise my notes? It felt as if I hadn't done any preparation at all. Regionals are in six weeks and I'm so nervous, I would appreciate any assistance!

[ptkid]

Hey guys, this is my first year competing in Science Olympiad. I'm a sophomore in Division C and last Saturday my team attended an invitational. I had my page of notes based on all the information from the SOInc website. The test turned out much differently than I expected. I didn't realize there were so many calculations involved, and it seemed that when conceptual questions were asked, my notes addressed none of it. Could anyone help me with what I should focus on and how I should revise my notes? It felt as if I hadn't done any preparation at all. Regionals are in six weeks and I'm so nervous, I would appreciate any assistance!

In my personal opinion, the best way to study disease detectives is by doing practice tests. To revise your notes I would add a formula's textbook that includes rates like incidence, prevalence, attack rate, rr etc.. As for conceptual question you just need to practice tests and you'll see what kind of things their looking for.