AAPT PhysicsBowl
2009 Contest Information Page
How the Contest Works
Each year, approximately 10,000 students take a 40-question, 45-minute timed, multiple-choice test under their school’s supervision. The 2009 exam will be given between April 1-15. Exam questions are based on topics and concepts covered in a typical high school physics course.
To enhance the distribution of awards, Division I is for first-year students and Division II is for second-year students. Each Division has 15 regions that have been established across the country to allow schools in each region to compete against one another. Specialized math and science schools compete in their own region.
Note: School Team scores are determined by the sum of the scores of the top five students competing.
Practice Exams
To help your students prepare for the exam we have past exams available as PDFs.
2009 School, Teacher, and Student Awards
• $100 Frey gift certificate awarded to the schools placing first in each region and division.* (Frey Scientific)
• TI-30 XS MultiView Scientific Calculator awarded to the students and schools placing first and second in each region and division.* (Texas Instruments, Inc.) • $50 Vernier gift certificate awarded to the schools placing first and second in each region and division.* (Vernier Software & Technology)
• $25 AAPT Store gift certificate awarded to the schools placing first and second in each region and division.* (AAPT)
• T-shirts awarded to the five top students in the top scoring school in each region.* (AAPT)
• Certificate of Participation provided for all teachers and students competing.* (AAPT)
* School team scores are determined by the sum of the scores of the top five students competing.
To Enter:
The deadline for 2009 was March 16th, please check back in November for information on the 2010 contest.
You have three options for how you may receive the exam:
Print copies of exams are sold in packets of five at $20.00 per packet (includes shipping and handling). Packets will not be split.
A PDF version of the exam is also sold in packets of five at $15.00 per packet (includes shipping and handling of the scantrons that you will receive for each student). You will receive a password code sent to your school email address to download the PDF, you will need to make a copy for each student.
You can register students to take the exam via WebAssign at $2.00 per student (you may enter one or more students via WebAssign, but you will need 5 students to qualify for team competition). You do not need to have an account with WebAssign to use this method.
• Teachers should reserve a room and arrange for supervision of the test between April 1-15, 2009.
• AAPT will ship tests and instructions (or email link for downloading PDF) on or about March 16. Notify AAPT if you have not received your test packets by March 30, 2009.
PhysicsBowl Results (PDFs)
2008 Winners
2007 Winners
2006 Winners
2005 Winners
2004 Winners
2003 Winners
