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Prepare With Confidence

Candidate Information Bulletin

The Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) provides a full description of the BACE exam structure, content areas, policies, testing procedures, references, and preparation resources. Reviewing the appropriate CIB before testing helps prevent common mistakes and sets the stage for success.

Refer to the version that matches your selected testing method:

Practice Exam

Biotility’s BACE Practice Exam Course and Badging System: In addition to classroom-based instruction, candidates are strongly encouraged to complete the free BACE Practice Exam Course. This resource includes:

  • Targeted review activities
  • Practice quizzes
  • A digital badging system that recognizes achievement in each of the eight BACE categories

Candidates who engage with the course often demonstrate greater confidence and improved performance on the exam. The earned badges also provide a valuable tool for showcasing readiness to employers and educators alike.

Learning Pathways

The Learning Pathways below provide recommended steps to help candidates prepare for the BACE. A combination of practical experience and targeted training, in combination with focused study of exam references, will help ensure readiness to succeed on the exam and step into the biotech workforce.

Candidates prepare for the BACE through a variety of programs that emphasize laboratory techniques, safety practices, and biotechnology fundamentals. These pathways may include:

  • Traditional Biotechnology Programs: Many candidates complete industry-aligned, state-adopted biotechnology courses that use well-established instructional resources. These texts are widely recognized for their focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical skill development. Some commonly used materials include:
    • Biotechnology: A Laboratory Skills Course (Brown, 2018)
    • Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium (Daugherty, 2017)
    • Basic Laboratory Methods for Biotechnology (Seidman, 2021)
  • Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science Pathway: Some candidates prepare through PLTW’s Biomedical Science curriculum, which offers hands-on, project-based learning across biology, chemistry, and biotechnology. These programs focus on problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking—skills essential for success in bioscience careers.
  • Customized Local Curricula: In some cases, institutions design their own biotechnology courses tailored to local workforce needs. These programs may combine selected industry resources with original content created by instructors to prepare students for the BACE and entry-level employment.

Additional Learning Resources

These resources support exam preparation, skills practice, and career exploration.

“Having an industry-level credential as an undergraduate demonstrates to researchers that I can excel in academia or industry.”

– Samuel Camilli, Graduate Student Researcher