The Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO) is an annual international physics competition for secondary school students from Asia and Oceania, initiated in 2000 by Indonesia. It is one of the International Science Olympiads and is modeled on the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), typically serving as additional preparation for IPhO teams. Recent editions have drawn between 24 and 30 participating countries and regions.
Competition format:
The competition takes place over two examination days with at least one rest day between them:
| Day | Format | Duration | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theoretical | 3 problems across at least 4 physics areas | 5 hours | 30 |
| Experimental | 1–2 lab problems | 5 hours | 20 |
Students may use logarithm tables, physical constants tables, non-programmable calculators, and drawing materials. Formula collections are not permitted.
Awards:
Prizes are based on a reference score, defined as the smaller of the average mark of the top three contestants and twice the median mark of all contestants; that reference score counts as 100%.
| Award | Score threshold (of reference score) |
|---|---|
| Gold medal (first prize) | Above 90% |
| Silver medal (second prize) | Above 78%, up to 90% |
| Bronze medal (third prize) | Above 65%, up to 78% |
| Honorable mention | Above 50%, up to 65% |
| Certificate of participation | 50% or below |
The marks corresponding to these thresholds are rounded down to the nearest integer. The participant with the highest score overall (Absolute Winner) receives a special prize.
Team structure:
Each national delegation consists of up to 8 student contestants and at most 2 accompanying leaders. Leaders participate in the International Board, which selects and approves competition problems and determines final rankings.
Costs:
The sending country covers roundtrip travel for all delegation members. The organizing country covers all other costs from arrival to departure, including accommodation, meals, excursions, and prizes. An optional voluntary fee may be collected by the organizer to offset expenses.
How selection works:
Students are selected through national physics olympiad processes. There is no direct application to APhO. Contact your country's national physics association or Ministry of Education for details on national selection.
Host countries (recent):
| Year | Host |
|---|---|
| APhO 2027 | Thailand |
| APhO 2026 | South Korea (Busan) |
| APhO 2025 | Saudi Arabia (Dhahran) |
| APhO 2024 | Malaysia (Kampar) |
| APhO 2023 | Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar) |