competition
F=ma / USAPhO U.S. Physics Team pathway
American Association of Physics Teachers
The F=ma exam is the first qualifying round for the USAPhO and U.S. Physics Team selection pathway.
2027 application deadline
Not posted yetNot posted yet
Last cycle’s deadline was Jan 21, 2026. This is a reference, not a 2027 date.
Official source ↗Checked 2026-10-28Details
| Cost | Paid · $15.5. 2026 registration also required a school fee: $37.50 for AAPT-member teachers or $75 for nonmembers.Source ↗Checked 2026-10-28· View evidenceNumber of students($15.50 per student) · View evidenceNumber of students($15.50 per student) · View evidenceTeacher is an AAPT Member – $37.50 · View evidenceTeacher is NOT an AAPT Member – $75 |
|---|---|
| Financial aid | Not stated |
| Format | HybridSource ↗Checked 2026-10-28· View evidenceF=ma and USAPhO exams will be conducted online via Educational Vistas only. · View evidenceBoth the F=ma and USAPhO exams must be proctored in person. |
| Location | Not stated |
| Current grade | Not stated |
| Eligibility | For the F=ma exam, students had to be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or attending a U.S. school, and had to be located in the U.S.Source ↗Checked 2026-10-28· View evidenceStudents must be either U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents of the United States (green card holders), or currently attending a U.S. school · View evidenceStudents must also be located within the U.S. to take the F=ma exam. |
| Program dates | 2026 F=ma exam: February 12; USAPhO: April 10.Source ↗Checked 2026-10-28· View evidenceFebruary 12, 2026, 1 pm to 4 pm EST - F=ma Exam |
| Applications open | Not stated |
| 2027 deadline | Not posted yet |
| Last cycle’s date | Jan 21, 2026Source ↗Checked 2026-10-28· View evidenceREGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 20, 2026! (DEADLINE EXTENDED to January 21st, 11:59pm EST) |
Checked 2026-10-28. Last cycle’s costs and dates are labeled where applicable. Program pages can change. How we check facts ↗