Where the points actually are

The F=ma exam is entirely classical mechanics, which makes it far more tractable than a general physics olympiad. Almost all of the score comes from a small set of topics practised deeply. Calculus is not formally required but makes several problem types much faster.

Topic breakdown

01Kinematics and dynamics: Newton's laws, friction, constraints, pulleys, non-inertial frames. The backbone of the exam.
02Energy and momentum: Conservation arguments, collisions, centre of mass, work-energy theorem. Often the fastest route to an answer when forces get messy.
03Rotational mechanics: Torque, moment of inertia, angular momentum, rolling without slipping. Consistently the topic that separates scores.
04Oscillations and gravitation: Simple harmonic motion, pendulums, orbital mechanics and Kepler's laws.
05Estimation and elimination: It is multiple choice. Dimensional analysis, limiting cases and rough magnitude checks eliminate wrong options quickly.

A study plan that works backwards from the date

Four months out Work through Halliday, Resnick and Walker or Irodov mechanics chapters. Solve problems rather than reading worked examples.
Months 2 to 3 Past F=ma exams, which the American Association of Physics Teachers publishes free. One per week, timed at 75 minutes.
Final month Rotational mechanics and non-inertial frames specifically, since these are where most students lose points.
If you advance Shift to free response practice on past USAPhO papers and add electromagnetism, which the semifinal covers but F=ma does not.

Tips that come from the format itself

F=ma is mechanics only. Do not spend the autumn on electromagnetism for a first attempt.
Past exams are published free. They are the most accurate signal of difficulty available.
Check limiting cases on every answer. Setting a variable to zero or infinity eliminates wrong options in seconds.
Rotational mechanics is the highest-return topic if you are stuck below the cutoff.

Practice resources

US Physics Team official page (also: past f=ma and usapho exams) Official · free
Registration, exam dates, rules and past exams. Free archive of past exams with solutions, published by the American Association of Physics Teachers.
International Physics Olympiad past problems Past problems · free
Free international past papers, useful once you reach semifinal level.

Past papers and official materials

AAPT past exam archive
Published free with solutions.

Skills this builds

Read what other students said about preparing