Omega LearnHigh School Competition Physics
Grades 9β12Popular Physics Competitions
The major physics competitions for high school students, from the F=ma screening exam through the USA Physics Olympiad and international contests.
F=ma
The screening exam for the US Physics Team: a 75-minute, 25-question multiple-choice test open to US high school students, with the top ~400 scorers advancing to the USAPhO.
Visit βUSAPhO: United States Physics Olympiad
The semifinal exam for the top F=ma scorers: a two-part, three-hour, free-response test of six problems that selects the US Physics Team. See our full prep guide.
Visit βPhysics Bowl
A 40-question, 45-minute multiple-choice contest taken by around 10,000 students, based on the typical high school physics curriculum.
Visit βSir Isaac Newton (SIN) Exam
A high school physics contest offered by the University of Waterloo's Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Visit βFull List of Physics Competitions
The Art of Problem Solving wiki's directory of physics competitions for additional contests to explore.
Visit βPrinceton University Physics Competition (PUPC)
Princeton's annual physics olympiad for high school students.
Visit βFree Online Resources
Resource collections, past exams, and syllabi for students preparing for physics competitions like F=ma, USAPhO, and the IPhO.
Long list of resources for Physics Competitions
A comprehensive Google Doc compiling problem sets, study guides, and links for F=ma and physics olympiad preparation.
Visit βComprehensive List of Physics Olympiad Resources (AoPS)
An Art of Problem Solving community thread compiling problem sets, books, and guides for physics olympiad preparation.
Visit βScience Olympiad Blog for Physics preparation
A preparation blog with study strategies and topic guides for physics olympiad competitors.
Visit βF=ma Past Exams: American Association of Physics Teachers
The official AAPT archive of past F=ma exams and solutions, the qualifying exam for the US Physics Team.
Visit βUSAPhO Past Exams
Past USA Physics Olympiad semifinal exams with solutions from the AAPT.
Visit βIPhO Problems and Solutions
An archive of International Physics Olympiad problems and solutions for advanced competitors.
Visit βIPhO Official Syllabus
The official International Physics Olympiad syllabus and statutes.
Visit βFree Classes
Free, rigorous physics courses that build the problem-solving foundation needed for competition success.
Paid Classes and Training Programs
If you are looking for paid physics classes, here is a list of popular programs that prepare students for the F=ma exam, the US Physics Bowl, and the USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO).
AlphaStar Academy
Online training programs preparing students for the F=ma exam and the USA Physics Olympiad.
Visit βArt of Problem Solving: PhysicsWOOT
An online training program in olympiad-level physics and problem solving from Art of Problem Solving.
Visit βArt of Problem Solving: F=ma Problem Series
A focused AoPS course that prepares students specifically for the F=ma exam.
Visit βF=ma Course by Eddie Chen
An F=ma prep course written by Eddie Chen, an IPhO gold medalist, F=ma perfect scorer, and MIT physics graduate.
Visit βSpringLight Education Classes
A WASC-accredited program that has provided USAPhO training for years, with a strong record of semifinal qualifiers.
Visit βTang Academy
Live online physics classes focused on competition and AP physics preparation.
Visit βAreteem Institute Physics Competition Prep Courses
Structured physics competition prep courses, including F=ma problem solving, from the Areteem Institute.
Visit βACES Academic Enrichment Center
A physics program preparing students for AP exams and physics olympiad semifinals.
Visit βArdent Academy for Gifted Youth
Physics courses for gifted students that integrate preparation for elite physics competitions.
Visit βGauss Academy of Mathematical Education
Physics classes preparing students for the US Physics Bowl and USA Physics Olympiad.
Visit βBooks for Competition Physics
Calculus-based mechanics and electromagnetism texts alongside olympiad problem collections: the core library for serious physics competitors.
Conceptual Physics
Builds deep conceptual understanding of physics principles before introducing mathematics, making it ideal for students new to the subject.
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Physics: Principles with Applications, 7th Edition
A widely used introductory physics text that develops physical intuition and problem-solving skills using algebra and trigonometry.
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Hmh Physics: Student Edition 2017
A comprehensive high school physics textbook covering mechanics, waves, electricity, and modern physics with clear explanations and practice problems.
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An Introduction to Mechanics
A rigorous calculus-based mechanics text favored by advanced students preparing for physics olympiads and college-level courses.
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Physics, Volume 1, 5th Edition
The first volume of the classic ResnickβHallidayβKrane sequence, covering mechanics, waves, and thermodynamics with a calculus-based approach.
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Physics, Volume 2, 5th Edition
The second volume of ResnickβHallidayβKrane, covering electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics for serious students.
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Introduction to Classical Mechanics: With Problems and Solutions
Covers classical mechanics in depth, with a large collection of challenging problems suited for competition preparation.
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Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics
A problem-focused companion that walks students through hundreds of introductory mechanics problems with detailed solutions.
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International Physics Olympiads
A collection of problems and solutions from the International Physics Olympiad, essential reading for serious competition physics students.
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Asian Physics Olympiad
Problems and solutions from the Asian Physics Olympiad, offering a wealth of challenging regional contest problems for advanced competitors.
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Electricity and Magnetism, 3rd Edition
A classic and thorough treatment of electricity and magnetism at the calculus level, updated with modern notation and hundreds of problems.
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An Introduction to Thermal Physics
A clear, widely praised introduction to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, useful for the thermal-physics topics on advanced olympiads.
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