The Sir Isaac Newton (SIN) Exam is an annual high school physics competition organized by the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Waterloo through its Centre for Advanced Science Education. Open to students of any grade worldwide, it is meant to challenge students to apply basic physics concepts to problem situations, with an emphasis on classical mechanics.
The exam is written online over two hours at the student's school under teacher supervision. Registration is handled by a school teacher or supervisor and costs $4 per student. For 2027, the exam is April 29 and teacher registration closes April 16; no exact opening day or cutoff clock/timezone is verified.
Top-scoring students are recognized with scholarships and high-achiever awards. The exam covers material aligned with the Ontario Secondary School Physics Curriculum, emphasizing fundamental classical mechanics and applied problem-solving rather than advanced topics.
Checked November 4, 2026 against the official contest calendar and ordering instructions. Orders must come from a teacher at an accredited high school; tutoring schools are ineligible. Credit-card payment is required when registering. The April 16 deadline is for registration/orders, distinct from the April 29 exam.