USA Physics Olympiad & Physics Team

USAPhO is a national high school physics competition, sponsored by AAPT and AIP, selecting and preparing students for the International Physics Olympiad through multiple exam rounds and a training camp.

The USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO), organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and the American Institute of Physics (AIP), is a prestigious national competition that identifies and trains the nation's top high school physics students. It serves as the selection process for the U.S. team to compete in the International Physics Olympiad, testing advanced physics knowledge and problem-solving skills beyond standard curricula and culminating in a rigorous training camp.

Competition Details

Judging Criteria

The initial stage consists of the F=ma exam, a multiple-choice test focused on algebra-based mechanics with about 6000 participants, where scoring determines advancement. Top scorers (based on a cutoff score) are invited to take the USAPhO exam, which tests more advanced physics knowledge and problem solving. The performance on these exams determines advancement to subsequent rounds. Approximately 20 of the top USAPhO performers are invited to the U.S. Physics Team training camp, where finalists undergo further testing and training. From this camp, five students are selected based on rigorous evaluation to represent the United States at the International Physics Olympiad. Assessment is based on exam scores, problem-solving abilities, and performance during training.