Competition
U.S. Physics Team / F=ma Exam / USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), jointly sponsored with the American Institute of Physics (AIP)
Recognition
USAPhO awards Gold medals (~top 10-12%), Silver (~next 14-16%), Bronze (~next 20-22%), and Honorable Mention (~next 24-26%); cutoffs vary yearly. Top performers are invited to the U.S. Physics Team Training & Development Camp, with eventual selection to represent the U.S. at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) / European Physics Olympiad (EuPhO).
Deadline
~Jan 21, 2026
Estimated; confirm on sponsor site
The U.S. Physics Team program, jointly sponsored by AAPT and AIP, is an annual competition for U.S. high school students that begins with the F=ma exam and progresses through the USAPhO exam and a training camp toward selecting the team that represents the United States at the International Physics Olympiad.
Eligibility
- Grade levels
- High school
- Citizenship
- Tiered. F=ma exam: U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or students attending a U.S. school (physically in the U.S. during the exam). USAPhO exam: U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. Training Camp/IPhO team: U.S. citizen or green card holder, age <=20 by June 30.
- Fields of study
- Natural sciences, Science, Mathematics
Application requirements
- School/teacher registers the school for the F=ma exam: A teacher/coach registers their school online; school registration fee is $75 ($37.50 for AAPT members).
- Register individual students and pay per-student fee: Each participating student is registered with a $15.50 fee, via online credit card payment or PDF form (checks/purchase orders accepted).
- Arrange an approved in-person proctor: Proctor must not be a parent, relative, or close friend/acquaintance of the student; must hold at least a 2-year degree and provide an official school email; for-profit test centers are prohibited.
- Confirm citizenship/residency and location eligibility: Students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or attending a U.S. school, and physically located in the U.S. (excluding Puerto Rico and some territories) during the exam window.
- Take the F=ma exam during the designated online window: Exam is administered online via Educational Vistas only (no printable version), with in-person proctoring required, during a single scheduled test window.
Verified Jul 8, 2026 · View official source