F=ma exam

1. Introduction
The F=ma Competition is an annual physics competition for high school students in the United States. It is sponsored by the American Association of Physics Teachers and is designed to test students’ knowledge of classical mechanics. Participants are given multiple-choice questions covering topics such as kinematics, forces, energy, and momentum. The top performers in the competition are recognized with awards and prizes. 

2. Eligibility
Middle and high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents or currently attending a U.S. school. Students must be located in the US to take the F=ma exam. 

For the USAPhO exam, students must be either U.S. citizens, or legal permanent residents of the United States (green card holders), and are currently located in the US to take the exam. 

3. Competition Timeline

• January 27, 2025 – F=ma Registration Deadline
• February 12, 2025, 2pm to 6pm local time – F=ma Exam
• Early April 2025 – USAPhO Exam
• May 27 to June 7, 2025 – U.S. Physics Team Training Camp, University of Maryland
• July 17 – 25, 2025 – 55th International Physics Olympiad (IPhO), Paris, France

4. Competition Progress
After students take the F=ma exam, 400 students will be invited to take the USA Physics Team (USAPhO) exam (please note that international students can’t take this exam). Then, 20 students who performed well in the USAPhO and F=ma exams will be invited to be a part of the U.S. Physics Team. For 2024, the F=ma cut-off score is 14 points. This year, there were 500 students who score 14 points and above.