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 opening selection paper for students seeking the main olympiad route. It was introduced to create a broad, accessible first stage before the much smaller group invited onward, while retaining questions that move beyond routine classroom exercises. The paper rewards secure fundamentals, estimation, algebraic control and the willingness to test several physical interpretations quickly. Because calculators are not used, students need to be comfortable simplifying expressions and checking whether an answer is physically plausible.
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