Physics and Astrophysics Contest Opportunities

NAPAA is dedicated to making physics and astrophysics accessible to all students by lowering barriers and sharing opportunities widely. On this page you’ll find upcoming contests arranged in chronological order, with key details such as dates and registration links. The list is updated regularly to keep you informed.

British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Round 0

The British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) Round 0 is an annual British Physics competition, serving as the first round for the team selection test for Britain's IPhO Team.

Date: October 17, 2025

Format: Online, 1-hour multiple-choice exam with 25 questions

Tournament Website: https://www.bpho.org.uk/bpho/round-0.html

F=ma Exam

The F=ma Exam an annual US physics contest and serves as the first round of the team selection test for the United States' IPhO team.

Date: February 2026

Format: In-person, hand-written multiple-choice exam.

Tournament Website: https://aapt.org/physicsteam/2025/registration.cfm

AAPT Physics Bowl

Physics Bowl is an annual, international high school physics competition organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT).

Date: March-April 2026

Format: Online, 45-minute, multiple-choice exam with 40 questions

Tournament Website: https://www.aapt.org/programs/physicsbowl/

Canadian Association of Physicists Prize Exam (CAP)

The Canadian Association of Physicists Prize Exam (CAP) is an annual Canadian physics contest and serves as the first round of the team selection test for Canada's IPhO team.

Date: April 2026

Format: A 3-hour, hand-written exam composed of 25 multiple-choice questions and 3 long-answer questions.

Tournament Website: https://cap.ca/programs/recognitions/high-school-students/cegep-prize-exam/cap-hs-prize-exam/

Sir Issac Newton (SIN) Contest

The Sir Isaac Newton (SIN) Exam is a test of high school physics offered by the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Waterloo.

Date: May 2026

Format: A 2-hour, online multiple-choice exam. Students who write solutions are awared additional points.

Tournament Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/sir-isaac-newton-exam/

Ontario Association of Physics Teachers (OAPT) Contest

OAPT is an annual physics contest organized by the Ontario Association of Physics Teachers and open to all high school students.

Date: May 20, 2026

Format: A 1-hour, online multiple-choice exam composed of 30 questions. There are two levels of difficulty for students in their first and second years of physics.

Tournament Website: https://oapt.ece.utoronto.ca/

British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO)

The British Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) is an annual British competition in astrophysics and astronomy, serving as the first round of the team selection test for the British IOAA Team.

Date: January 2026

Format: A 2-hour, hand-written exam composed of multiple-choice and long-answer questions.

Tournament Website: https://www.bpho.org.uk/baao/round-1/

United States Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO)

The United States Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad (USAAAO) is an annual US competition in astrophysics and astronomy, serving as the first round of the team selection test for the United States' IOAA Team.

Date: February 2026

Format: A 75-minute, hand-written multiple-choice exam composed of 30 multiple-choice questions.

Tournament Website: https://usaaao.org/

Canadian Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiads (CAAO)

The Canadian Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiads (CAAO) is an annual Canadian competition in astrophysics and astronomy, serving as the first round of the team selection test for Canada's IOAA Team.

Date: March 2026

Format: Exam consisting of 6 astrophysics/astronomy questions.

Tournament Website: https://caao.ca/

Canadian Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiads Junior (CAAO Jr.)

The Canadian Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiads Junior (CAAO Jr.) is an annual national competition in astrophysics and astronomy for students 15 years old and below. It serves as the first round of the team selection test for Canada's IOAA Jr. Team.