How to Prepare for the International Physics Olympiad
March 15, 2026
The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is the ultimate test for young physicists. Having competed at the 42nd IPhO in 2011 and earned a Bronze Medal, I want to share what I've learned about preparing for this incredible competition.
1. Master the Fundamentals First
Before diving into advanced problems, make sure your foundation in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics is rock-solid. I recommend working through Irodov's "Problems in General Physics" and Morin's "Introduction to Classical Mechanics."
Newton's Second Law
Energy Conservation
2. Solve Past IPhO Problems
There is no substitute for working through actual IPhO problems from previous years. Start with problems from recent olympiads and work your way back. Pay attention to the experimental problems — they're often where medals are won or lost.
3. Build Problem-Solving Frameworks
IPhO problems require connecting multiple physics concepts. Develop systematic approaches: identify conserved quantities, draw appropriate diagrams, check limiting cases, and verify dimensional consistency. These habits will save you under time pressure.
Angular Momentum Conservation
💡 Pro Tip from Competition Day
During the theoretical exam, spend the first 15 minutes reading ALL problems before solving any. The "easiest" problem isn't always Problem 1. Strategic time allocation won more medals at my IPhO than raw physics ability.
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