Mock USAPhO

Mock USAPhO Exam (Fully Original) Written by IPhO Gold medalist

Preparing for the USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) requires more than just redoing past exams. At some point, you need fresh problems at the same level of difficulty to test whether you truly understand the material.

This mock exam was written to closely resemble the style and depth of the real USAPhO, while remaining fully original.

Created by an IPhO Gold Medalist and US Physics Team member, this exam is designed to help serious students identify weaknesses and refine their problem-solving skills before the real competition.

What’s included

• 1 full-length mock USAPhO exam (6 full-length problems) with problems covering topics commonly tested at the USAPhO level (mechanics, E&M, thermodynamics, modern, etc.) in PDF format

• Fully worked, detailed solutions with clear explanations highlighting key ideas in PDF format

Who this is for

This mock exam is intended for students who:

• Qualified for USAPhO and want additional high-level practice

• Want to challenge themselves with problems comparable to olympiad-level physics

Why use a mock exam

Working through original olympiad-style problems helps you:

• Test whether your understanding transfers to new situations

• Improve your problem-solving flexibility

• Practice structuring clear written solutions, which is essential for USAPhO

About the author

Written by Eddie Chen

• IPhO Gold Medalist
• US Physics Team Member
• MIT Physics (B.S.)

The problems reflect the author’s personal problem-solving approach and experience with high-level physics competitions.

Important notes

• This product is unofficial and not affiliated with AAPT or the USA Physics Olympiad.
• Exam problems are original and to the best of the author's knowledge do not overlap with any other olympiad problems.
• Single-user license. Redistribution or reposting is not permitted.
• Due to the digital nature of this product, refunds are not offered.

Recommended use

• Take the exam under real conditions (90 minutes for Part A, 90 minutes for Part B).
• Score yourself and read the solutions.
• Identify weak topics and patterns in mistakes.

Contact: ezchen@alum.mit.edu

for any questions