All recording packets now available — Levels 2-4 modules, Summer Orgo & Bootcamp. Study at your own pace!
Browse RecordingsJoin the program behind 10+ IChO Medalists — where every student gets personal attention and knows exactly where they stand.
Our students dominated HMChO 2026 (2nd, 4th, 9th individually) and Berkeley Chemistry Tournament 2026 (2nd and 5th individually, 3rd overall, 1st in MOF Topic Round).
Top performances across two prestigious national chemistry competitions organized by Harvard, MIT, and UC Berkeley students.
Why We're Different
Most USNCO programs teach to the middle of a crowded room. We take a different approach.
Small classes + Socratic teaching mean we truly know each student's gaps. You get a tailored study plan — not generic advice.
“Dr. Chen knew exactly what I needed”
— National Qualifier
10+ authentic exams with detailed analytics: topic breakdown, percentile ranking, and time analysis.
“I walked in knowing exactly what to expect”
— Study Camp Qualifier
Real-time tracking of attendance, homework, and test scores. See gaps instantly — not after competition.
“I always know where my child stands”
— Parent of Honor Recipient
Every feature converges on one goal: helping you reach your potential.
See How It WorksEvery feature converges on one goal: helping you reach your potential.
See How It WorksYour Journey
From your first class to the international stage — we guide every step
Top ~1000 advance
March
Top ~190 awarded
Late April
Top 20 nationally
June
Whether you're aiming for Local, National, or Study Camp — every milestone is an achievement, and we'll help you reach yours.
What Our Students Say
Hear from students and parents who've experienced the difference
“I scored 33 on my first Local Exam. After one year with Dr. Chen, I got a 49. The mock exams were so close to the real thing that I knew exactly what to expect.”
11th grader, first year in program
Honor recipient
“I switched from a 100+ student program where I never asked questions. Here, Dr. Chen knows exactly where I need help. I finally feel like I'm learning, not just listening.”
11th grader
Honor recipient
“As a parent, I love that I can actually see how my son is doing. The dashboard shows his progress on each topic, so we know exactly where he needs to focus. No more guessing.”
Parent of 10th grader
Parent perspective
“I only joined in October of my junior year - way later than most serious USNCO students. Dr. Chen helped me catch up and I qualified for Nationals in my first year.”
11th grader
First-year qualifier
“The mock exams are what made the difference. By the time I took the National Exam, I'd already done 10+ practice tests in the exact same format. The real exam felt familiar.”
12th grader
Study Camp qualifier
“We stayed with Dr. Chen for 2 years because of the personalized attention. My daughter went from barely understanding the material to earning High Honor.”
Parent of 11th grader
High Honor recipient
Programs
Programs designed for every level of chemistry olympiad preparation
Recording packets available now — live classes resume July 2026
Start with recording packets today: choose your modules, watch at your own pace, and track progress with our mock exam platform. When live classes resume in July, join small-group sessions with Dr. Chen for interactive instruction and weekly problem-solving.
Build a strong foundation in general chemistry for the USNCO Local Exam.
For students with one year of solid chemistry experience
Advanced topics and problem-solving strategies for the National Exam.
For students with a strong mastery of AP Chemistry or an equivalent
Intensive preparation for winning National and Study Camp selection.
For advanced students targeting High Honor and Study Camp
2 Live Modules
3 Live Modules
Take our free diagnostic assessment to find the perfect starting point for your chemistry olympiad journey
Common Questions
Our live classes run in small groups so every student participates — no passive listening. Each week includes a 90-minute lecture session with Dr. Chen covering core USNCO topics, plus a 60-minute problem-solving session with staff. Classes are held via Zoom with recordings available for review. Live classes run from late August through late February (3 modules), with a National Exam Bootcamp in March-April. Live classes resume July 2026.
All recording packets come with 1-year access from the date of purchase. You can watch the lectures as many times as you want during that period. This gives you plenty of time to work through the material at your own pace, even if you're balancing a busy school schedule.
Absolutely. Our recording packets are specifically designed for self-paced study. You choose which modules to purchase, watch lectures on your own schedule, and work through problem sets at whatever speed works best for you. Many of our students combine recordings with our mock exam platform to track their progress independently.
We focus on personalized preparation rather than one-size-fits-all lectures. Our classes are designed for real interaction where every student participates, our dashboard tracks individual progress weekly, and we offer 10+ authentic mock exams annually — far more than typical programs. If your child benefits from personalized attention and clear progress tracking, we're likely a better fit.
Not at all. We support students at all levels with our tiered program structure. Level 2 (Local Prep) is designed for students with one year of solid chemistry experience. Whether your child is aiming for their first Local Exam qualification or targeting Study Camp, we build a path specifically for their goal and current level.
We recommend self-studying before joining Level 2. Start with Introductory Chemistry by Nivaldo Tro — an accessible textbook that builds foundational concepts from scratch (see our Textbooks page for details). Pair it with Khan Academy's free High School Chemistry course for video explanations and practice. Once they've covered the basics, they'll be ready to join our Level 2 program and begin their USNCO journey.
No. Most of our students see significant improvement in just one year — many qualify for and win Nationals in their first year with us. That said, students who stay for 2 years often achieve High Honor or qualify for Study Camp. Our structured curriculum works for both quick wins and long-term goals.
Absolutely not! Many of our most successful students started in 10th or 11th grade. Unlike programs that require years of preparation from middle school, our curriculum is designed for efficient, focused learning. We've had students join in October of their junior year and still win Nationals. It's never too late to start — what matters is your dedication and the right guidance.
Choose your level, pick your modules, and begin your path to USNCO excellence.
Enroll Now