Grades 7-8,
Grades 9-10,
Grades 11-12
November 15, 2025
Registration deadline
November 13, 2025
December 20, 2025
Registration deadline
December 18, 2025
March 24-30, 2026
Registration deadline
February 1, 2026
Welcome to the Brainiacs Physics Olympiad!
In a world driven by innovation and discovery, physics stands as the keystone of progress and understanding. Known as the “science of everything” physics unravels the mysteries of the universe, from the tiniest particles to the vast expanse of galaxies. Whether it’s powering cutting-edge technologies, designing sustainable energy solutions, or exploring the frontiers of space, physics is the force behind it all.
The Brainiacs Physics Olympiad is here to spark curiosity and inspire a passion for science in students. It’s more than just an academic competition – it’s an opportunity to explore the wonders of the natural world, develop problem-solving skills, and think critically about how things work. This Olympiad challenges students to go beyond formulas and equations, encouraging them to discover the beauty and power of physics in action.
The future belongs to those who embrace challenges, think creatively, and push the boundaries of knowledge. Physics equips students with the tools to innovate, question, and shape the world around them.
Let’s unlock the brainiac in every student!
Experience the thrill of competition and the joy of achievement.
20 Q Preliminary
20+2 Q Global Final
75 min Preliminary
120+120 min Global Final
English, Russian,
French, and Spanish
MECHANICS
Brainiacs Chemistry Olympiad Mechanics
The Brainiacs Physics Olympiad is a competition aimed at encouraging creativity, innovation, and academic excellence in students from Grade 7 to Grade 12. The Olympiad is structured into two main stages: the Preliminary Round and the Global Round.
PRELIMINARY ROUND REGISTRATION
Students can register for the Olympiad through the official Brainiacs Olympiad website or via authorized representatives in their respective countries.
Dates
The online qualifying exams for the Preliminary Round are scheduled for:
- Round I: – November 15, 2025 (Registration deadline: November 14, 2025)
- Results: November 20, 2025
- Round II: – December 20, 2025 (Registration deadline: December 19, 2025)
- Results: – December 25, 2025
The two online rounds are the same, but feature different questions.
Those who did not qualify for the global round in the first online round, along with those who were absent from the first round, can participate in the second round.
Format
The exam consists of 20 questions divided into three levels of difficulty:
- Easy: 5 questions
- Normal: 10 questions
- Difficult: 5 questions
The exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 75 minutes.
Questions are tailored to the participant’s educational level and divided into the following categories:
- Category 1: Grades 7 and 8
- Category 2: Grades 9 and 10
- Category 3: Grades 11 and 12
Scoring
- Easy Questions: +4 points for each correct answer
- Normal Questions: +5 points for each correct answer
- Difficult Questions: +6 points for each correct answer
- Incorrect Answer: No negative marking for any question
- Unanswered Question: No points deducte
Qualification
Participants scoring at least 40% in the Preliminary Round qualify for the Global Round. Every participant receives a Certificate of Participation.
Recognition
In the Preliminary Round, medals are awarded based on the points earned by the participants:
- 40 to 49 : Honorable Mention Certificate
- 50 to 74 : Bronze Medal
- 75 to 89 : Silver Medal
- 90 to 100 : Gold Medal
GLOBAL ROUND
The Global Round is the final stage of the competition, where participants showcase their knowledge and ability.
Registration
Students can register for the Olympiad through the official Brainiacs Olympiad website or via authorized representatives in their respective countries.
Dates and Venue
The Global Round of Brainiacs Olympiad will take place in Xiamen University Malaysia from March 24 to 30, 2026.
- Normal Registration Deadline: 28 February 2026
- Late Registration: March 1, 2026
Exam Days
Global Round exam format is different from Preliminary Round. It has both Theoretical and Practical parts separated in two consecutive examination days.
Day 1. Theoretical Part
This is the traditional portion of a physics exam it tests understanding of physical laws, concepts, and problem-solving through reasoning and calculation.
Examples:
- Solving quantitative problems using formulas and laws (e.g., Newton’s laws, Ohm’s law)
- Explaining physical phenomena in written form (e.g., “Why does the current decrease when resistance increases?”)
- Interpreting graphs, diagrams, or data related to motion, forces, and energy
- Conceptual or multiple-choice questions on key principles
Purpose:
To test theoretical knowledge, analytical reasoning, application of formulas, and conceptual understanding of the physical world.
Day 1 Exam Format
The exam consists of 20 questions divided into three levels of difficulty:
- Easy: 5 multiple-choice questions
- Normal: 5 multiple-choice questions
- Difficult: 5 multiple-choice questions
- Open-ended(difficult): 5 questions
The exam consists of 15 multiple-choice and 5 open-ended questions to be completed within 120 minutes.
Day 1. Exam Scoring
- Easy Questions: +4 points for each correct answer
- Normal Questions: +5 points for each correct answer
- Difficult Questions: +6 points for each correct answer
- Open-ended: +7 points for full correct solution and answer
- Incorrect Answer: No negative marking for any question
- Unanswered Question: No points deducted
Day 2. Practical Part
The practical part checks how students can apply physical principles in real-world or experimental contexts (measurement, observation, and data-based tasks).
Examples:
- Measuring physical quantities (mass, time, voltage, current, etc.) using instruments
- Investigating relationships between variables (e.g., “How does the length of a pendulum affect its period?”)
- Analyzing experimental data, drawing graphs, and interpreting physical patterns
Purpose:
To test experimental skills, accurate measurement, data analysis, and understanding of how physics concepts work in practice.
Day 2. Exam Format and Scoring
The exam consists of two tasks, each worth 50 points, to be completed within 120 minutes. Each task includes several questions that test a range of skills, including conceptual understanding, analytical thinking, and practical application.
Global Round Recognition
In the Global Round, medals are awarded based on the percentage distribution according to the number of participants.
- The top 10% (0-10%) of participants receive gold medals.
- The next 20% (11-30%) of participants receive silver medals.
- The next 30% (31-60%) of participants receive bronze medals.
- The next 15% (61-75%) receive honorable mentions.
Languages
All of the questions in Preliminary and Global Rounds will be in 4 languages: English, Russian, French, and Spanish
SYLLABUS
Measurement – SI units, common instruments (ruler, stopwatch), basic units
Motion – Speed, average speed, distance-time graphs
Forces – Types of forces (contact, gravity), effects of force
Energy – Kinetic & potential energy, energy forms
Pressure – Pressure = force/area, simple examples
Heat & Temperature – Temperature vs. heat, thermometers
Waves – Sound, water waves, reflection
Light – Reflection, refraction, mirrors & lenses
Electricity – Simple circuits, conductors & insulators
Magnetism – Magnets, magnetic materials
Electromagnetism – Simple electromagnets
Modern Physics – Basic atomic model, electrons/protons/neutrons
Mechanics – Levers, pulleys
Measurement – Micrometer screw gauge, % error, derived units
Motion – Velocity, acceleration, velocity-time graphs
Forces – Newton’s Laws, mass vs. weight, friction
Energy – Work, power, energy conservation, efficiency
Pressure – Pressure in liquids and gases, atmospheric pressure
Heat & Temperature – Heat capacity, specific heat, thermal expansion
Waves – Transverse & longitudinal waves, wave speed
Light – Critical angle, total internal reflection, image formation
Electricity – Ohm’s law, series & parallel circuits, resistance
Magnetism – Electromagnets, magnetic fields of current
Electromagnetism – Motor effect, applications of electromagnets
Modern Physics – Isotopes, radioactivity basics
Mechanics – Turning moments, center of mass, stability
Measurement – Uncertainty, significant figures, absolute/relative error
Motion – Kinematic equations, free fall, motion in 2D (projectiles)
Forces – Momentum, impulse, conservation of momentum, forces in 2D
Energy – Energy transformations, mechanical energy, energy in systems
Pressure – Pressure-depth formula, Pascal’s principle, hydraulic systems
Heat & Temperature – First law of thermodynamics, thermal processes (isochoric, isobaric, isothermal, adiabatic)
Waves – Superposition, interference, diffraction, Doppler effect
Light – Lens formula, ray diagrams, optical instruments
Electricity – Kirchhoff’s laws, internal resistance, power and energy in circuits
Magnetism – Electromagnetic induction, Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law
Electromagnetism – AC/DC generators, transformers, EM waves
Modern Physics – Nuclear reactions, half-life, photoelectric effect, energy levels
Mechanics – Rotational motion, torque, angular momentum
DOWNLOAD
SAMPLE PAPERS & MATERIALS
Practice with these examples to understand the format, sharpen your skills, and prepare for the challenges ahead.
