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Physics Bowl Past Papers Continuously Updated

Physics Bowl Past Papers & Solutions — Free PDF

2007-2026 Physics Bowl · Papers with Answer Keys

Exclusively compiled 2007-2026 Physics Bowl papers with answer keys, organized by year, topic breakdown and format specs. Full papers and answer keys are free via the QR code (no direct download on this page); each year page also offers 25 free online practice questions with step-by-step solutions — for timed practice and global ranking prep.

  • 2007-2026 All Years
  • D1/D2 Reference
  • Answer Keys
  • Step-by-step
Hanlin Physics Bowl Results
  • 2026: D1: 13 Super Gold·9 Gold·14 Silver·17 Bronze | D2: 26 Super Gold·21 Gold·28 Silver·20 Bronze
  • 2025: D1: 3 Super Gold·15 Gold·12 Silver·14 Bronze·5 Merit | D2: 6 Super Gold·12 Gold·30 Silver·9 Bronze·12 Merit
  • 2024: National Gold 32·Silver 28·Bronze 16·Merit 17
Global Top-100 Highlights
  • 2025: 2 D1 and 3 D2 students on the Global Top-100 (incl. tied 1st globally with full marks, and tied 2nd)
  • 2024: 2 students in the Global Top 100
For more results and prep cases, consult the advisor

About Physics Bowl

Physics Bowl is hosted by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), a premier physics contest for high school students worldwide, held each spring with thousands of schools participating.

The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions in 45 minutes, covering mechanics, electricity & magnetism, thermodynamics, waves & optics, and modern physics. Calculators are permitted, and awards are given separately by Division 1 and Division 2.

Division 1 is for first-year physics students (no calculus), while Division 2 is for second-year and AP Physics C students. Strong results serve as a powerful endorsement of STEM ability and strengthen overseas university applications.

40
MC Questions
45 minutes, mechanics to modern physics
2
Divisions
Division 1 / Division 2 awarded separately
Global
Synchronized
Hosted by AAPT for students worldwide

Highlights

Why students worldwide choose Physics Bowl — a contest widely recognized by top universities.

Authoritative
Organized by AAPT, one of the world's most influential secondary physics contests.
Globally Recognized
Results are widely trusted by leading universities as evidence of STEM ability.
Advancement Path
Top performers can build toward the physics olympiad pathway and higher-level international contests.

Physics Bowl Competition Detail

Key information on Physics Bowl: eligibility, format, fees, scoring and scope.

Eligibility
High school students worldwide (choose Division 1 / Division 2)
Format
Offline exam, English paper (calculators permitted)
Questions
40 multiple-choice questions
Duration
45 minutes
Exam Date
Spring each year (late March to early April)
Scoring
Correct answers score; no penalty for wrong; ranked by division

Divisions

Division 1 is for first-year physics students (no calculus); Division 2 is for second-year and AP Physics C students. The two divisions are ranked and awarded separately — students must choose one and cannot take both. Pick based on your level; our advisor can help.

Scope

Coverage includes but is not limited to:

Mechanics (kinematics, Newton's laws, momentum & energy)Electricity & magnetism (fields, circuits, induction)Thermodynamics & fluidsWaves & soundGeometric & physical opticsModern physics (atomic, quantum, relativity)

Awards & Divisions

Physics Bowl is awarded by Division 1 and Division 2, with global individual, national individual and school team awards.

Divisions & Awards

Division 1
For first-year physics students; no calculus
Division 2
For second-year and AP Physics C students; more challenging
Awarding
Ranked and awarded separately by division; students pick one, cannot take both

Global Individual Awards

  • Global Top 100 Top 100 worldwide — global individual award
  • Asia Top 10 Top 10 in Asia — Asia individual award
  • Regional Top 10 Top 10 in your region — regional individual award

National Individual Awards

  • National Super Gold Top 5% nationally
  • National Gold Top 15% nationally
  • National Silver Top 30% nationally
  • National Bronze Top 45% nationally
  • Physics Award of Merit Top 25% in each region (excluding national awardees)

School Team Awards

  • Team Scoring Regardless of school size, the team score is the sum of the school's top 5 individual scores; with fewer than 5 participants, all scores are summed
  • Global Winning Team Award Top 50 teams worldwide
  • Asia Winning Team Award Top 10 nationally
  • Regional Winning Team Award Top 10 in the region

Note: Physics Bowl has Division 1 and Division 2; students must choose one and cannot take both. Awards are calculated independently by division.

How to Use Past Papers

Four steps · Preview / Download / Check / Analyze

  1. Pick a Year

    Choose your target year from “Past Papers” to open that year’s paper & answers page.

  2. Download or Preview

    Preview online or download the paper PDF and attempt it under the 45-minute limit.

  3. Check Answers

    Compare against the answer key, tally your score and mistakes, and find weak topics.

  4. Analyze & Improve

    Scan for step-by-step solutions and targeted drills; fix mistakes and push for national and global rankings.

Past Papers

Every Physics Bowl past paper and answer key since 2007 — archived by year, paired with answer keys, and updated year after year.

All archived years above — click for that year's paper and answers. Scan for other years. Consult ›

Physics Bowl Exclusive Bonus Materials

Physics Bowl prep materials curated by Hanlin — compiled handouts, key-point notes, high-frequency formulas, core vocabulary, the 2026 competition white paper and a recommended book list. Scan to get them all at once.

Physics Bowl Compiled Handouts

Physics Bowl Compiled Handouts

Systematic coverage of all five topic areas, with examples and tiered practice.

Physics Bowl Key-Point Notes

Physics Bowl Key-Point Notes

Condensed notes for a fast final review — build your knowledge network.

2026 Competition White Paper (Digital Edition)

2026 Competition White Paper (Digital Edition)

Formats, timelines and prep planning across major international contests.

Physics Bowl High-Frequency Formulas

Physics Bowl High-Frequency Formulas

Quick reference of frequently used formulas — essential for mocks and review.

Physics Vocabulary Glossary

Physics Vocabulary Glossary

An English physics terminology glossary to help you read questions smoothly.

Physics Bowl Book List

Physics Bowl Book List

Selected recommended titles, organized by prep stage.

FAQ

Common questions on past papers, answers and usage. For anything else, contact us.

This site archives 20 years of Physics Bowl papers, 2007–2026, one paper per year. The 2027 paper will be added once released.
Physics Bowl is taken and awarded by Division 1 / Division 2, but this site archives papers by year; the topic coverage is shared, so each year works for both divisions.
Yes. Answer keys are compiled each year — scan for the answer-key set and step-by-step solutions to check scores and review mistakes.
Take timed mock exams (40 questions in 45 minutes), check answers, tally mistakes, and drill weak topics. For global rankings, add 1-on-1 coaching — scan for a custom plan.
Division 1 is for first-year physics students (no calculus); Division 2 is for second-year and AP Physics C students. The divisions are ranked and awarded separately — students must choose one and cannot take both.

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