Science & Research

F=ma Exam & U.S. Physics Olympiad

Editorial guide reviewed: September 15, 20262027 cycle · registration details pending

Official sources2

The U.S. physics-team pathway begins with a focused mechanics exam and advances to written olympiad physics.

PhysicsMechanicsOlympiadProctored

OFFICIAL SOURCES · SHARED CATALOG

Current applications & dates

1 listings · Dates and application links use the same reviewed data as the planner. Automatic source updates are not active yet.

competition · 2027 · exact dates pending

F=ma is the first selection exam; USAPhO requires qualification. The organizer announces a mid-October registration opening without an exact day.

American Association of Physics Teachers / American Institute of Physics · Dates pending or locally arranged

Start with the essentials before committing to a season.

Detail	What to know
Host	American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT)
Season	2027 · exact dates pending
Eligibility	Published rules: F=ma accepts U.S. citizens, permanent residents or U.S.-school students taking the exam in an eligible U.S. location. USAPhO requires citizenship/permanent residency and qualification. Arrange an independent in-person proctor; confirm 2027 rules.
Format	in-person
Registration timing	2027 registration opening · mid-October, exact day pending: The organizer says 2027 registration will open mid-October; no exact day is published.; 2027 registration deadline · unannounced: The current registration page still lists the closed 2026 deadline; no 2027 cutoff is confirmed.; 2027 F=ma exam · date unannounced: The published February 12 exam is explicitly 2026; no 2027 exam date is inferred.; Qualifiers only · 2027 USAPhO exam pending: USAPhO is an advanced qualification stage; an exact 2027 schedule remains unverified.
Status	unknown

Use the official registration route and follow these steps.

1
Arrange an eligible in-person proctor, preferably through the student’s school.
2
A school or authorized adult completes registration and provides the verified proctor information.
3
After instructions arrive, the proctor has students complete the exam-platform registration.

Dates, eligibility, and fees can change. Confirm the latest information with the organizer before registering.