BPhO Round 0
Rated Advanced, This one-hour, non-calculator physics paper uses multiple-choice problems as the entry stage for the main British Physics Olympiad pathway. It is intended for strong pre-university physics students and is entered through a registered teacher, with successful candidates invited to Round 1. The main challenge is moving quickly from standard A-level knowledge into harder calculations, elimination and unfamiliar problem solving without a calculator.
Verified information
Competition details can change. Always confirm dates, eligibility and entry requirements on the official organiser's website.
Official website ↗OVERALL COMPETITION LEVEL
Advanced Level
6 evaluation dimensions have source-backed automatic scores; 0 dimensions need conflict review.
Competition overview
Key information
Eligible ages
Up to 18
School level
Secondary
Registration method
School Only
Competition stages
Qualification round for invited entry to BPhO Round 1
Fee
£14 per whole-school entry.
Online / in-person
In-person
Dates
Competition timeline
Registration opens
Not yet announced by the organiser
Registration closes
Not yet announced by the organiser
Competition starts
1 Oct 2026
Competition ends
2 Oct 2026
Editorial perspective
Our Take
The British Physics Olympiad is a charitable trust run by volunteer physics teachers and academics. BPhO Round 0 is the first selection paper in the UK pathway toward the International Physics Olympiad. It is also a useful stand-alone problem-solving challenge for students who want to test how securely they can apply school physics under time pressure. The most important practical point is that this is not an open individual-entry contest. A school must run the paper under teacher supervision, and the rules for taking part are broader than the separate nationality and schooling rules that apply later in the UK team-selection pathway. Families should check both questions independently: can the student sit this paper, and would the student be eligible to continue through the UK selection route?
Read full guide →Preparation support
Recommended resources
BPhO Round 0 Guide
Open resource ↗Official overview of the accessible first physics olympiad paper and its format.
Official · Free · Competition guide · Essential
BPhO Round 0 Past Papers
Open resource ↗Official papers for practising multi-step A-level physics without a calculator.
Official · Free · Past-paper archive · Essential
BPhO Resources
Open resource ↗Official physics olympiad resources for extending problem-solving technique.
Official · Free · Physics problem resources · Recommended
Source information
Related competitions
Mathematics & Problem Solving · Advanced Level