IPhO PYQ helps students understand the level and type of questions asked in the International Physics Olympiad. Solving IPhO previous year questions gives you practice with challenging problems from mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves, optics, modern physics and other areas.
Students can use IPhO previous year papers to practise both theoretical and experimental problems. Solutions are also available for many past papers, making it easier to check your approach and learn from your mistakes.
Students looking for an IPhO PYQ PDF can use the available year-wise problem collections to access previous questions and their solutions. The collection includes papers from recent editions as well as older IPhO examinations.
Before downloading or practising a paper, check whether you want the theory paper, experimental paper or both. This will help you practise according to your preparation needs.
The following table lists some recent IPhO previous year papers and the topics covered in their problems.
|
Year |
Host Country |
Major Topics/Problems |
|
2026 |
Colombia |
Cooking with sunlight, Absolute zero, Fermi gases, Ideal gas and heat conduction |
|
2025 |
France |
Hydrogen and galaxies, Cox's Timepiece, Champagne, Earth's magnetic field |
|
2024 |
Iran |
Greenhouse Effect, Trapping Ions, Black Widow Pulsar, Heat Conduction |
|
2023 |
Japan |
Soil Colloids, Neutron Stars, Water and Objects, Birefringence |
|
2022 |
Switzerland |
Permanent Magnets, James Webb Space Telescope, Scaling Laws, Planet |
|
2021 |
Lithuania |
Planetary Physics, Electrostatic Lens, Particles and Waves, LEDs |
|
2020 |
IdPhO |
Problem Mix, Anisotropic Friction, Laser Technologies, Crystallography |
|
2019 |
Israel |
Zero-length Springs, Microwave Oven, Thermoacoustic Engine, Optical Measurements |
|
2018 |
Portugal |
LIGO-GW150914, Neutrino, Physics of Live Systems, Paper Transistor |
|
2017 |
Indonesia |
Dark Matter, Earthquake and Volcano, Cosmic Inflation, Optics |
|
2016 |
Switzerland |
Mechanics, Electric Circuits, Large Hadron Collider, Electrical Conductivity |
|
2015 |
India |
Particles from the Sun, Extremum Principle, Nuclear Reactor, Diffraction |
|
2014 |
Kazakhstan |
Van der Waals Gas, Gas Discharge, Invisible Light |
|
2013 |
Denmark |
Maribo Meteorite, Plasmonic Steam Generator, Greenlandic Ice Sheet, Solar Cells |
|
2012 |
Estonia |
Sketches, Kelvin Water Dropper, Protostar Formation, Magnetic Permeability |
|
2011 |
Thailand |
Three-body Problem, Soap Bubble, Ion Scattering, Capacitive Sensor |
|
2010 |
Croatia |
Image of a Charge, Chimney Physics, Atomic Nucleus, Elasticity |
|
2009 |
Mexico |
Earth-Moon System, Laser Cooling, Stars, Diode Laser |
|
2008 |
Vietnam |
Rice-Pounding Mortar, Cherenkov Light, Atmospheric Temperature |
|
2007 |
Iran |
Black Holes, Air Bags, Binary Stars, Semiconductor Films |
|
2006 |
Singapore |
Neutron Interferometer, Rod in Motion, Estimations, Interference |
|
2005 |
Spain |
Satellite, Electrical Measurements, Neutrons, Planck's Constant |
|
2004 |
Korea |
Ping-Pong Resistor, Rising Balloon, Atomic Probe Microscope |
|
2003 |
Taiwan |
Falling Weight Swing, Piezoelectric Crystal, Neutrino Mass |
|
2002 |
Indonesia |
Ground-Penetrating Radar, Electrical Signals, Inclined Road |
|
2001 |
Turkey |
Binary Stars, MHD Generator, Rotating Liquid |
|
2000 |
United Kingdom |
Cathode Ray Tube, Gravitational Waves, CD-ROM Spectrometer |
|
1999 |
Italy |
Radiation Absorption, Magnetic Field, Space Probe, Torsion Pendulum |
|
1998 |
Iceland |
Rolling Prism, Water under Ice, Faster than Light, Electromagnetism |
|
1997 |
Canada |
Scaling, Nuclear Masses, Solar-Powered Aircraft |
|
1996 |
Norway |
Electron Dynamics, Moon and Tides, Gravity and Magnetism |
|
1995 |
Australia |
Gravitational Red Shift, Sound, Buoyancy, Viscous Liquid |
|
1994 |
China |
Relativistic Particle, Superconducting Magnet, Disc Collision |
|
1993 |
USA |
Atmospheric Electricity, Laser Forces, Electron Beam |
|
1992 |
Finland |
Rotating Satellite, Molecular Motion, Satellite in Sunshine |
|
1991 |
Cuba |
Friction, Relativity, Laser Cooling, Black Box |
|
1990 |
Netherlands |
X-ray Diffraction, Magnetosphere, Neutron Star, LED Efficiency |
Solving IPhO previous year questions is more useful when you follow a proper practice method. Try these steps:
Begin with topics you have already studied. Solve mechanics questions first if your mechanics concepts are strong, and then move to electromagnetism, thermodynamics and other areas.
Do not immediately check the answer. Give yourself enough time to understand the problem, make assumptions and develop your solution.
After attempting a question, compare your method with the official or available solution. Look for differences in concepts, equations and reasoning.
Write down the questions where you made a conceptual or calculation error. Revisiting these questions can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.
Do not focus only on theory. IPhO also includes experimental examinations. Practising past experimental problems can help you understand measurements, uncertainty, graphs and data analysis.
Regular practice with IPhO previous year papers can help you:
Understand the difficulty level of Olympiad problems
Improve problem-solving skills
Learn how different concepts are combined
Practise mathematical reasoning
Improve your approach to unfamiliar problems
Get experience with theoretical and experimental questions
Identify topics that need more practice
IPhO PYQs are useful for students preparing for the International Physics Olympiad. The previous year papers cover different areas of physics and include both theory and experimental problems. Solving these questions regularly can help you understand the difficulty level, improve problem-solving skills and identify topics that need more practice. Students should first attempt each question on their own and then use the solutions to check their approach.
PW provides Olympiad exam content, including Olympiad Exam Updates, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today in the Olympiad Online Batches for preparation.