International Physics Olympiad (IPhO)

The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is for high school students. It is held annually, with participation from over 80 countries spanning 5 continents. In 2025, the 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) will be held in Paris, France. During the competition, students can showcase their physics prowess and compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals. Similar to the sporting Olympics, the IPhO not only tests students' abilities but also provides a unique cultural and social experience. Additionally, diverse trips and social activities allow students to immerse themselves in the host country's culture and forge friendships with peers worldwide.

In this article, we will explore more about the International Physics Olympiad and learn about eligibility and the process for participating in the exam.

1.0International Physics Olympiad 2025 - Overview

The primary goal of IPHO is to examine, to the highest level, the knowledge, analytical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in theoretical and experimental Physics.

It started in Warsaw, Poland, in 1967 and has been held in various countries each year since then. The event lasts 8 to 9 days. Two team leaders and a maximum of five students make up national teams. 

2.0International Physics Olympiad 2025: Highlights

To know more about the olympiad, discover the highlights of the International Physics Olympiad 2025 here: 

3.0Eligibility for International Physics Olympiad

To apply for the IPhO 2025 exam, candidates must fulfil the eligibility criteria. Eligibility criteria ensure that participants are appropriately qualified and meet the necessary age requirements.

• Student Eligibility: Contestants must be general or technical secondary school students, excluding technical colleges. They must have completed their school examinations in the year of the competition and should not have commenced their university studies.
• Age Limit: Contestants' age should be at most 20 years as of 30th June in the year of the competition.
• Delegation Composition: Each participating country is required to send a delegation comprising a maximum of five students (contestants) and two accompanying persons (delegation leaders).

4.0International Physics Olympiad Syllabus

The IPhO syllabus is tailored for students in higher secondary education, specifically aimed at those in Class 11-12. We have provided the topics covered in the syllabus below. For the detailed syllabus, you can check the IPhO 2025 Syllabus here - ipho-new.org/statutes-syllabus/

5.0International Physics Olympiad Exam Pattern

The IPhO examination format includes segments covering theoretical and practical aspects of Physics. Students sit for the theoretical exam, which comprises objective questions. Subsequently, in the second phase, students engage in the practical segment of the examination.

Please refer to the table provided below for a summary of the IPhO 2025 Exam Pattern: 

6.0How to apply for the International Physics Olympiad 2025?

Discover the step-by-step process to apply for the International Physics Olympiad, guiding aspiring participants through the application procedure easily.

• National Olympiads: The journey to IPhO starts with excelling in national-level Physics olympiads. Each country has its selection process, which typically involves a series of challenging exams. In many countries, students progress through multiple stages, each becoming progressively more difficult.
• Qualifying for the Team: Only a handful of students (typically the top 4-5) from the national olympiad qualify to represent their country at the IPhO. This requires exceptional performance and a deep passion for Physics.
• Confirmation of Participation in IPhO 2025: To confirm your team's participation, the team leader or official contact should fill out the pre-registration form, which is expected to be released soon on the official website.  
• IPho Fees and Expenses: Your delegation's participation fees cover essentials like food, accommodation, excursions, and transport for the IPhO, from July 17 to July 25, 2025. Here is the fee structure for the exam :

- Regular delegation (5 students, 2 leaders): EUR 3500.

- Smaller delegations (less than 5 students or 2 leaders): EUR 500 per participant.

- Observers and visitors: EUR 2000 per person.

7.0International Physics Olympiad Past Papers

Practice previous years' International Physics Olympiad papers to familiarize yourself with the exam format, question types, and level of difficulty, which will help in comprehensive preparation for the upcoming IPhO 2025 exam. The past years' IPHO question papers, along with solutions, are available on the official website.

8.0International Physics Olympiad Winners: Awards and Recognition

To ensure a fair distribution of recognition at the Olympiad, the organizers establish minimum point thresholds (known as minima) for awarding Gold Medals, Silver Medals, Bronze Medals, and Honorable Mentions.

These thresholds are determined before any discussions with delegation leaders and are based on the following percentages of participating contestants:

• Gold Medals: Awarded to 8% (rounded up to the nearest whole number) of contestants.
• Gold or Silver Medals: Awarded to a combined 25% (rounded up) of contestants. Gold,
• Silver or Bronze Medals: Awarded to a total of 50% (rounded up) of contestants.
• Olympic Medal or Honorable Mention: Awarded to 67% (rounded up) of contestants.