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What is BPhO?

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The British Physics Olympiad is a charitable trust overseen by a committee of trustees. It was initiated in 1979,and has been used as a qualifier for selection into the UK Physics Team for the International Physics Olympiad from 1983. The BPhO is hosted by University of Oxford, the Institute of Physics (IOP), and the Odgen Trust with offices located in the physics department of the University of Oxford. All problems are proof-based, so students will need to apply a large range of knowledge, and can choose which question to answer. Top British candidates will have the opportunities to be chosen for the national team.

Competition date:

Round1:7th November 2024 offline 

Round2: 22nd Febrary 2025 (TBC)

Competition Requirements

Fees for the BPhO Each Round is $520 per student.(Round 1, Round 2 will be charged $520 separately.)

Eligible year groups: NZ Years 13 and Below

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Exam format: OFFLINE

Duration: around 160 minutes

BANK: ANZ

Name of Account: Pinnacle Education Group

Account: 06-0241-0684634-00

 

Please make payment with the students 'full name + BPhO' as reference.

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⚠️ Please note that any fees and payments made are non-refundable.

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⚠️ Before you make any payment, make sure you read through the refund policy on our website to avoid misunderstandings.

(Terms and conditions apply).

The British Physics Olympiad committee focuses on the logic of solving the problem, so for each problem competitors need to give detailed steps proving their answers. If competitors only show the correct answer without their working out, they will not be awarded any points. If competitors write the incorrect answer, but show correct proofs, then they will be awarded points according to the detail of steps shown.

PGA reserves the right to interpret all competition and course arrangements.

Round 1: Any student can register to participate, with no restrictions on eligibility.​

Round 2: Only those who achieved a Super Gold (Top Gold) medal in Round 1 are eligible to participate.

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Suitable for students:

  • Students below NZ Year 13 who have a strong interest and talent in physics;

  • Students aspiring to pursue advanced studies and research in the field of physics;

  • Students planning to apply for prestigious universities in physics, engineering, or related fields.

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Exam date and time

Round 1: 7th November 2024

OFFLINE  centralized paper-based exam

16:00-18:40 (NZ time)

11:00-13:40 (Singapore, China, Perth-Australia time, NZ-5)

14:00-16:40 (Melbourne & Sydney-Australia, NZ-2)

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Address: Unit T, 301 Botany Road, Golflands, Auckland

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Close date of registering Round 1: 

​9th Oct 2024 (Estimated)

  • Due to high demand and limited availability, exam slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, we cannot guarantee an exam slot for everyone.

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​Round 2: 22nd Feb 2025 (TBC)​

Topics covered in BPhO

BPhO Round 1 Exam Content:

The BPhO Round 1 exam covers content from both AS and A2 levels of the A-Level curriculum.

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AS Level Content: Mechanics, Materials Science, Waves, Circuits, Electric Fields, Momentum, Data Analysis, Nuclear Physics, and more.

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A2 Level Content: Circular Motion, Magnetic Fields, Photoelectric Effect, Quantum Mechanics, Simple Harmonic Motion, Thermodynamics, and more.

The exam also includes topics from the Mechanics section of Further Mathematics. Candidates are expected to have a solid foundation in calculus and strong abilities in both physics and mathematics.

Competition Format

Round 1:

Two sets of problems; Section 1 and Section 2

  • Section 1: A maximum of 50 marks can be awarded for Section 1. There is a total of ≈ 84 marks allocated to the problems of Question 1 which makes up the whole of Section 1. (if competitors answer problems totaling more than 50 points, then points from incorrect answers will be ignored and points from correct answers will be added together).

  • Section 2: Each question in Section 2 is out of 25, with a maximum of 50 marks from two questions. Competitors only need to choose 2 problems to solve.

  • The maximum score for the British Physics Olympiad is 100 points.

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Round 2:

The exam duration is 3 hours.

 

Only students who qualify through Round 1 are eligible to participate in Round 2. The questions in Round 2 are more challenging and offer greater flexibility.

Marking

Awards are distributed based on the ranking of British students, with the award proportions set at 2%, 8%, 15%, 25%, and 40%. Students from other countries are evaluated based on the corresponding score thresholds for each award. This rule ensures that global participation does not affect the award proportions for British students while also enhancing the chances of outstanding students from other countries to receive awards.

Why choose BPhO?

The BPhO series of competitions is not just a test of physics knowledge; it opens the door to the world’s top universities for students. Here are some compelling reasons to solidify your decision to participate:

  • Recognition of Top Academic Standards   As one of the most prestigious physics competitions globally, the BPhO not only assesses the depth of theoretical physics knowledge but also emphasizes innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Achieving excellent results means your talent in physics is highly recognized by the international academic community.

  • A Stepping Stone to Top Universities and Essential for STEM Majors    Backed by the University of Oxford, BPhO results are highly valued by top UK universities, especially when applying for STEM majors. Statistics show that 70% of students admitted to the physics and engineering departments of Oxford and Cambridge have participated in the BPhO competition, underscoring its importance as a "stepping stone" for applying to prestigious universities.

  • Support for Oxford and Cambridge Physics Entrance Tests    For students planning to apply to top UK universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, the BPhO competition is highly similar to the physics entrance tests (e.g., PAT) required by these institutions. Therefore, BPhO is an excellent aid in enhancing your competitiveness for G5 applications.

  • Comprehensive Improvement of Physics Skills    The BPhO competition not only covers multiple fields of physics but also requires participants to quickly analyze problems and propose solutions within a short time. This intense training can significantly enhance participants' physics skills, sharpening their mental agility and problem-solving abilities.

Awards

  • Top Gold: Awarded to the top 2% of students

  • Gold: Awarded to the top 8% of students

  • Silver: Awarded to the top 15% of students

  • Bronze I: Awarded to the top 25% of students

  • Bronze II: Awarded to the top 35% of students

BPhO Preparation Course

Course Overview: Prepare for the prestigious British Physics Olympiad (BPhO) with our comprehensive 18-hour course. Designed for students below NZ Year 13, this course covers all key topics required for success in the BPhO, from fundamental concepts to advanced problem-solving techniques. Each session focuses on building a strong foundation in physics, equipping students with the skills needed to excel in this challenging competition.

Course Structure:

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1. Introduction to BPhO and Exam Strategies (2 hours)

  • Overview of BPhO structure and format

  • Effective study and exam strategies

  • Time management during the exam

2. Mechanics and Dynamics (3 hours)

  • Fundamental principles of mechanics

  • In-depth exploration of dynamics

  • Problem-solving techniques and past paper practice

3. Electricity and Circuits (3 hours)

  • Understanding electric fields, circuits, and current flow

  • Analysis of complex circuit problems

  • Application of theoretical knowledge in exam scenarios

4. Waves and Optics (3 hours)

  • Comprehensive study of wave behavior and optics

  • Exploration of light, reflection, refraction, and diffraction

  • Exam-focused exercises and applications

5. Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics (3 hours)

  • Fundamental principles of thermodynamics

  • Introduction to quantum mechanics and its applications

  • Solving complex problems using these principles

6. Circular Motion, Magnetic Fields, and Further Mathematics (2 hours)

  • Circular motion and its applications in physics

  • Understanding magnetic fields and their interactions

  • Integration of advanced mathematics in physics problems

7. Mock Exam and Review (2 hours)

  • Full-length mock exam simulating BPhO conditions

  • Detailed review of solutions and common pitfalls

  • Personalized feedback and targeted improvement strategies

Course Features

  • Interactive Learning: Engage in live sessions with experienced physics instructors.

  • Exam Focused: Tailored content designed to mirror BPhO exam questions and structure.

  • Comprehensive Materials: Access to exclusive study guides, past papers, and solution sets.

  • Personalized Feedback: Receive detailed feedback on mock exams to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

Registration

  • Eligibility: Students up to NZ Year 13

  • Next Session: Starts September 2024

For more details and to register, please contact us at:

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