Age group / A
Junior
10th grade and below
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
15points
The same problem set as every other group, with the Junior qualification threshold.
AUL IPhyC 2026Eligibility
A student. A pen. A connection.
The Anchor University edition is open to current high school and university students from every country. There is no nomination process, no school requirement, and no entry fee for the first round.
Three age groups
Same problems. Different thresholds.
Everyone receives the same paper in every round. Higher age groups need more points to qualify for the next stage.
Age group / B
Youth
11th–13th grade, or at least 16 years old
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
17points
Designed for students in the upper years of secondary school.
Age group / C
Senior
First year of college or university and above, or at least 19 years old
Qualify for the Semi-Final with
20points
University students and older participants compete in the Senior group.
Between school and university? If you are in a gap year, you are Youth if you are under 19; otherwise you are Senior.
Why the different scores? The competition keeps a common set of problems while asking more experienced students to demonstrate a higher level of accuracy. The official age-group page publishes the current thresholds.
How participation works
No application. Just a submission.
The Qualification Round is entered by submitting your solutions. If you qualify, you then register for the Semi-Final from your participant account.
- 01
Download the problems
The 2026 Qualification Round paper contains five problems. You can work on paper, type your solutions, or annotate the sheet.
- 02
Submit one file
Upload a single PDF or clear image through the official submission form by 1 November 2026, 23:59 UTC+0. No prior registration is required.
- 03
Qualify and register
Qualification results arrive on 16 November 2026. If you meet your age group's threshold, you can register for the Semi-Final from your participant account.
- 04
Compete in the Semi-Final
Prepare with the research paper, sit the supervised 60-minute exam between 13 and 15 December 2026, and upload your written solutions.
A pen and paper for working
A reliable internet connection
A phone or scanner for uploads
Lagos hubThe Anchor University host venue is Physics Laboratory, Room D207, Anchor University, Ayobo, Lagos, Nigeria.
Campus contactFees & financial aid
Free to start. Supported if needed.
The Qualification Round is free. The only participation fee is the Semi-Final registration fee for qualified participants.
Qualification Round
Free
No registration fee and no payment details required to submit your solutions.
Semi-Final Round
12 EUR
Paid only by qualified participants who choose to register. The fee is non-refundable.
Financial aid is available.
Limited 50% reductions and full waivers help participants who would otherwise be unable to pay. Applications close on 23 November 2026, with decisions expected by 30 November 2026.
Official financial aid pageThe fine print
Rules worth reading first.
These points are drawn from the official 2026 rules and FAQ. The full legal terms are on iphyc.org.
- 01
Current high school and university students from all grades and countries are eligible.
- 02
Your age group is fixed by your grade or age on 1 November 2026, the Qualification Round deadline.
- 03
If you are between high school and university, you are Youth if you are under 19; otherwise you are Senior.
- 04
Working together is allowed in the Qualification Round. The Semi-Final and Final must be completed individually.
- 05
You need a pen, paper, a reliable internet connection, and a way to scan or photograph your solutions.
Teachers & schools
You do not have to do this alone.
Teachers can register for a dedicated account to support students, view results, access certificates, and supervise the Semi-Final exam. Schools can also participate through their students—no formal partnership is required for the competition.
Your group is waiting
Find your starting point.
The 2026 Qualification Round is open to students from every country. The deadline is 1 November 2026.
External links open the official IPhyC site