PhysicsBowl
AAPT PhysicsBowl
A 40-question, 45-minute physics exam sat at school, with divisions matched to how much physics you have taken.
Run by American Association of Physics Teachers
Key facts
- Eligible grades
-
High school. Division I is for first-year physics students and Division II is for second-year physics students.
AAPT sets divisions by years of physics taken, not by numbered grade.Source, checked 2026-09-02
- Official divisions
-
Two divisions set by physics coursework rather than grade: Division I for first-year physics students and Division II for second-year students.
Based on the organiser's own divisions.
- Eligible ages
-
Not confirmed. This organiser may set eligibility by grade rather than age. We do not convert one into the other.AAPT publishes no age limits.
- Individual or team
- Individual · Not confirmed
- Where it runs
- In person · United States, International
- Entry cost
- A modest per-student fee paid by the schoolNot stated on the official pages checked.
- Registration deadline
- Set locally, not published as a single national date 2027 registration deadline not published. Registration has typically closed in late winter.
- Competition dates
- 2027 dates not yet published. For reference, the 2026 exam was given on any one day between 18 March and 3 April 2026, with all students at a school sitting it at the same time.
- Difficulty
- Some preparation neededYou will want a few weeks of targeted practice. Most motivated students place respectably.
- Prizes
- Certificates, medals and regional recognitionRegional awards for top students and schools; specifics not confirmed on the pages checked.
What PhysicsBowl is
PhysicsBowl is a multiple-choice physics exam administered at schools worldwide each spring. Division 1 is for students in their first year of physics and Division 2 for those in a second year or an advanced course, so a first-year student is not competing against students two courses ahead. It is a much lower-barrier entry into physics competition than the olympiad pathway.
How the competition works
A 40-question, 45-minute timed multiple-choice test taken under the school's supervision. Questions are based on topics in a typical high school physics course. The exam must be proctored: parents, relatives and close friends are not acceptable proctors, including for homeschooled students, who should arrange proctoring through a community college, university or library. The exam is delivered through the EdVistas platform either as a web-based online exam or as a printable PDF whose answer sheets the proctor scans and uploads.
Eligibility notes
Division 1 for students in a first year of physics, Division 2 for a second year or advanced course. Registration is through a school.
Is PhysicsBowl right for you?
- Experience needed
- One year of physics is enough for Division 1. This is deliberately more accessible than F=ma.
- Time commitment
- A few weeks of past-paper practice.
- What you actually do
- Forty multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes at your own school. Just over a minute per question, so pace matters as much as knowledge.
A good fit if
- You are taking physics and want a competition that matches your course
- You are not ready for the olympiad pathway
- You want a first physics competition with no travel
Probably not for you if
- Students aiming for the international olympiad team, who should sit F=ma
Common mistakes
- Entering Division 2 because it sounds better. The divisions exist to make the comparison fair; enter the one that matches your coursework.
- Ignoring the clock. Just over a minute per question is tight and unfinished papers are the most common cause of low scores.
How to register
- Ask a physics teacher to register the school with AAPT during the winter window.
- Confirm which division you belong in based on how much physics you have taken.
- Work through past PhysicsBowl exams, which AAPT publishes.
- Sit the exam at school during the spring window.
What skills you need
- Mechanics
- Electricity and magnetism
- Waves and optics
- Thermodynamics
- Modern physics basics
- Fast multiple-choice technique
Recommended resources
-
AAPT PhysicsBowl page (also: past physicsbowl exams)
Registration, divisions, exam window and past exams. Published archive with answer keys.
-
OpenStax College Physics
Free full physics textbook covering the syllabus.
Past problems and materials
Only materials the organiser or an authorised archive publishes openly are listed here.
- PhysicsBowl past exams
Published by AAPT with answer keys.
Frequently asked questions
How does this compare to F=ma?
PhysicsBowl covers the whole physics syllabus at course level and does not lead to an olympiad team, which makes it far more accessible. F=ma is mechanics only, much harder, and is the first round of the international olympiad pathway.
Which division should I enter?
Division 1 if you are in your first year of physics, Division 2 if you are in a second year or an advanced course. The divisions exist so that comparisons are fair, so enter the one matching your actual coursework.
Reviews, tips and resources from other students
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Something out of date?
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