Physics Olympiad Preparation: Guide to F=ma and USAPhO Success
Each level uses instructor-developed materials for competition preparation, with Levels 1 and 2 featuring live lectures and webinars. Students prepare with Class Notes, recommended YouTube videos, and solved problems before webinars. Live lectures cover key formulas, review inspiring problems, and discuss notable physicists to motivate learning. Students then tackle homework, including competition problems, receiving solutions and feedback from teaching assistants upon submission.
Physics Olympiad preparation helps students bridge mathematical thinking and real-world applications, fostering creative reasoning and precision under pressure. For students who already enjoy competition-style math problem-solving, physics competitions are a natural challenge. While there are many excellent physics competitions, the main competitions are the ones leading to the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). The progression from the F=ma exam to USAPhO, and on to the IPhO rewards the same skills that drive strong math performance: structured thinking, clean reasoning, and the ability to solve challenging problems under time pressure. Physics competitions combine the use of mathematical tools with knowledge of the laws of physics, specific problem-solving techniques, and intuition about physical systems.
Understanding the US Physics Olympiad Pathway
If you have done AMC to an AIME-style qualification before, the structure will feel familiar. The sequence of competitions you are used to in math (AMC – AIME – USAMO – IMO) looks like this in physics: F=ma – USAPhO – IPhO.
The F=ma exam is the entry point, a timed multiple-choice test focused on classical mechanics. There is no need to know calculus. This exam has a mix of easy and hard problems and can be thought of as consisting of AMC- and AIME-level problems in physics. Roughly four hundred top scorers are invited to the USAPhO exam each year, with the exact score cutoff varying from year to year.
USAPhO is a written exam requiring complete solutions, not just final answers. This exam covers all of physics and working knowledge of calculus is necessary. Performance on USAPhO is used to select the U.S. Physics Team: top 20 students are invited to attend a training camp, after which five students are selected to represent the U.S. at IPhO.
Core Competencies for Physics Olympiad Success
Mathematical foundations
Physics Olympiad preparation requires strong math skills: algebra, trigonometry, vectors, and eventually calculus for USAPhO, do matter. The mathematical problem-solving skills developed through programs like problem-solving courses provide essential preparation.
Laws of physics
Three levels of AwesomeMath Olympiad Physics classes teach the physics laws and problem-solving techniques needed for success in F=ma and USAPhO. The best competitors have a habit of asking: “What is the simplest physical model that captures what the problem is asking?” Once the equations representing the model are written, the rest is math combined with more physical intuition about which approximations may be appropriate.
Structured Preparation Strategy
Foundation building
We start with classical mechanics, because it is the foundation for all other areas of physics. Besides, the F=ma exam, the first in the sequence of competitions, is all about classical mechanics.
We strongly recommend preparing for the physics competitions by first methodically learning the physics problem solving skills and only then looking at the old competition problems. A common mistake is to only look at the old competition problems without first learning the basics. Competition problems often combine multiple topics and require multiple problem solving techniques, which makes them inappropriate for learning. Yes, you definitely want to work on old competition problems, but only after you master the advanced problem solving skills in classes like our Olympiad Physics.
Note that AP Physics classes are useful in this context, but not sufficient, as competition physics uses more advanced problem solving than AP Physics classes.
Previous competition problems and their solutions can be found at the organizer’s web site: https://aapt.org/physicsteam/PT-exams.cfm If you click on the blue box there, you can download a free copy of the book with detailed solutions of F=ma problems. It was written by our Olympiad Physics instructor, Dr.Branislav Kisacanin and his former student, USAPhO and IOI gold medalist, Eric Zhang.
What we teach in our Olympiad Physics classes
- In our Level 1 class, which does not assume any prior physics problem solving experience, we teach basic concepts and problem solving skills needed to get about half of the points needed to pass the F=ma exam. We like to say that in our Level 1 we cover the easy half of F=ma.
- In our Level 2 class we cover the harder half of F=ma competition, teaching advanced problem solving skills and going deeper into the concepts introduced in Level 1.
- In our Level 3 class we prepare students for USAPhO, covering all parts of physics and using calculus.
Each level uses materials specially created by our instructor for competition preparation. Levels 1 and 2 include live lectures and webinars. Before each session, students study our Class Notes, watch selected YouTube videos, and solve practice problems.
During live lectures, we review key formulas, discuss important problems, and work through competition-style questions. If time allows, we also highlight famous physicists and explore related topics to inspire deeper interest.
After class, students complete homework (including competition problems). Once submitted, they receive detailed solutions along with helpful feedback and suggestions from our teaching assistants.
Level 3 is even more dedicated to problem solving, as our students really want good problems to learn advanced problem solving skills. That is why we do not have webinars for Level 3, instead we have a lot of discussions over email.
Additional resources
We are proud of our specially prepared teaching materials. However, we recommend keeping a good physics textbook for deeper study. You do not need the latest expensive edition—any college-level or AP Physics book from a library will work well. If you plan to buy one, choose an earlier edition instead of spending around $200 on a new copy. Older editions are just as good and often cost about $20. For example, Fundamentals of Physics by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker (6th Edition) is an excellent and affordable choice.Benefits of problem solving for future careers
Math and physics Olympiad preparation extends the rigorous thinking and problem solving to levels required for successful careers in math, sciences, and engineering. It provides intellectual advances, persistence, systematic skill development, and genuine curiosity about fundamental principles.
At AwesomeMath, we understand this because our founders and instructors competed and succeeded at the highest levels of mathematical and scientific competitions. The analytical reasoning and structured problem-solving developed through our AwesomeMath programs provide exceptional preparation for math and physics competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How much math do I need to pass F=ma?
You definitely do not need calculus, but it is necessary to be fluent in Algebra 2 math, especially solving linear and quadratic equations, systems of equations, and basic trigonometry and vectors.
Q. How much physics do I need to pass F=ma?
You need a solid classical mechanics background, including kinematics, Newton’s laws, forces (Hooke’s law, friction, buoyancy, gravity, …), torque, energy, linear and angular momentum, conservation laws, power, Kepler’s laws, dimensional analysis, and error analysis. In addition to understanding these concepts, you need to be able to fluently use them in solving problems.
Q. Can I prepare for physics competitions while training for math competitions?
Yes, many students do both, and each strengthens the other.
Q. How important is lab experience?
F=ma and USAPhO contests are theoretical, but experimental intuition certainly helps. Students who have handled experimental setups often have deeper physical intuition. For IPhO experiments are a part of the competition.
Q. Should I take AP Physics before competing?
It can help, but it is not sufficient. Competitive physics goes deeper into problem solving than AP Physics.
