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IPhO PYQ: Previous Year Questions, Papers With Solutions & PDF

IPhO PYQs include previous year theory and experimental questions from Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics, Optics, Modern Physics and Astrophysics. Solving IPhO previous year papers with solutions helps students understand the question pattern, practise difficult problems and improve their problem-solving skills.
authorImageAnanya Gupta1 Oct, 2026
IPhO PYQ: Previous Year Questions, Papers With Solutions & PDF

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.

IPhO PYQ PDF

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.

IPhO PYQ PDF

IPhO Previous Year Questions: Year-wise

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

How to Use IPhO PYQs for Preparation

Solving IPhO previous year questions is more useful when you follow a proper practice method. Try these steps:

1. Start With Topic-wise Questions

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.

2. Attempt Questions Without Solutions

Do not immediately check the answer. Give yourself enough time to understand the problem, make assumptions and develop your solution.

3. Analyse the Solution

After attempting a question, compare your method with the official or available solution. Look for differences in concepts, equations and reasoning.

4. Maintain a Mistake List

Write down the questions where you made a conceptual or calculation error. Revisiting these questions can help you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

5. Practise Experimental Problems

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.

Benefits of Solving IPhO Previous Year Papers

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.

Related Resources:

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. 

 

IPhO PYQ FAQs

What are IPhO PYQs?

IPhO PYQs are questions asked in previous International Physics Olympiad examinations. They include theoretical and experimental problems from different areas of physics.

Where can I find IPhO previous year questions?

IPhO previous year questions are available in year-wise collections that include papers from recent and older Olympiads. Many of these collections also provide solutions.

Should I solve IPhO previous year papers with solutions?

Yes. First try solving the question yourself and then use the solution to check your approach. This helps you understand where your method can be improved.

How many years of IPhO PYQs should I solve?

There is no fixed number. Start with recent papers and then solve older questions to get exposure to different problem styles and physics concepts.
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