OmegaLearnHow to Prepare for the USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
HighWhat is the USAPhO?
The USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) is the olympiad-level exam that selects the US Physics Team, organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). It is a three-hour, free-response exam given in two 90-minute parts of three problems each, covering all of introductory physics: mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves, optics, relativity, and modern physics. The top ~400 scorers on the F=ma exam are invited to take it.
Format
Six free-response problems across two 90-minute parts. Answers must be justified with clear work, and partial credit is awarded by hand grading. Calculus is required.
Who can enter
By invitation only: roughly the top 400 scorers on the F=ma exam. Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or attend a U.S. school.
When & how
Held each spring (April 10 in 2026) and administered online through Educational Vistas. The exam must be proctored, and parents and relatives cannot proctor.
How to advance
Top scorers earn gold, silver, and bronze medals. About 20 students join the US Physics Team for a training camp, and five are chosen to represent the USA at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO).
Topic Breakdown
The USAPhO weights two subjects far above the rest. Anchor your preparation on the primary topics, which appear on essentially every exam, then build competence across the four secondary topics that fill out the remaining problems.
Primary focus β almost guaranteed to appearMechanics
Lagrangian and Newtonian dynamics, rigid bodies, oscillations, central-force orbits, and non-inertial frames. Expect at least one heavy mechanics problem every year β the highest-yield topic on the exam.
Electricity & Magnetism
Electrostatics and boundary-value problems, RC/RL transients, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic induction. E&M is the second guaranteed subject; fluency with Gauss's and Ampère's laws is non-negotiable.
Special Relativity
Lorentz transformations, relativistic energy and momentum, four-vectors, and relativistic Doppler shift. Usually self-contained and high-value once the formalism is automatic.
Atomic & Nuclear Physics
Photoelectric effect, the Bohr model, de Broglie wavelengths, radioactive decay, and binding energy. Mostly a matter of knowing the constants, scales, and quantization rules cold.
Thermodynamics
Kinetic theory, the laws of thermodynamics, heat engines and cycles, and entropy. Occasional Blundell-level statistical reasoning on the hardest problems.
Optics & Waves
Geometric optics, interference and diffraction, standing waves, and the wave equation. Often folded into an E&M or mechanics problem rather than appearing standalone.
Official Information
AAPT US Physics Team program
The official landing page for the US Physics Team program, which runs the F=ma and USAPhO exams.
View βAAPT F=ma & USAPhO rules
Official rules, eligibility guidelines, and calculator policy for the F=ma and USAPhO exams.
View βAAPT exam information for students
The AAPT's student-facing overview of the exam cycle, from F=ma through the training camp.
View β2026 US Physics Team news
Official announcements for the current cycle, including exam dates and the move to online administration.
View βUSA Physics Olympiad overview
A Wikipedia overview of the USA Physics Olympiad, its history, and past results.
View βPractice Tests
Past USAPhO exams are the best practice available. Take them under real conditions: two timed 90-minute sittings, writing full solutions, then grade yourself against the official solutions.
Official F=ma and USAPhO exams with solutions
The AAPT archive of past F=ma and USAPhO exams with full solutions, the single best practice source.
View βEarlier AAPT archive of past exams
An earlier AAPT archive of official past F=ma and USAPhO exams and solutions.
View βIPhO problems and solutions
An archive of International Physics Olympiad problems and solutions, the next level of difficulty after USAPhO.
View βIPhO official syllabus
The official International Physics Olympiad syllabus, a useful map of every topic worth mastering.
View βPaid Courses & Classes
Art of Problem Solving PhysicsWOOT
AoPS's advanced year-long physics olympiad training program, aimed squarely at USAPhO preparation.
View βAlphaStar Academy Physics Courses
Extensive physics training from AlphaStar Academy for national and international competitions.
View βUSAPhO courses with Cambridge Physics Academy
A 14-week USAPhO prep course taught by IPhO medalists.
View βAreteem Institute Physics Competition Prep Courses
Physics competition prep from the Areteem Institute, focused on efficient problem-solving.
View βAwesomeMath Physics Classes
Online physics classes from AwesomeMath Academy, enrichment-focused on critical thinking.
View βACES Academic Enrichment Center: Physics Program
A Physics Olympiad preparation platform with a strong record of USAPhO semifinal qualifiers.
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