About the Canadian Physics Olympiad

This year (2025) the Canadian National Team, organized by the Canadian Physics Olympiad, competed at the 55th International Physics Olympiad, held in Paris, France. 

The Canadian Physics Olympiad organization aims to identify pre-university students who have a talent for physics, and then to prepare the best of them for participation in an International Physics Olympiad.

Top students are selected from the CAP High School Prize Exam results. The CAP exam date is in April of each year. The 2026 CAP Exam date will be updated here, soon. To get more information, please visit the CAP website. These selected students will be invited to the Canadian Physics Olympiad’s National Training Camp, held on UBC-V campus, in May 2026. The top five students from this camp will form Team Canada, to compete in next year’s International Physics Olympiad, hosted in Bucaramanga, Colombia from July 4th – 12th, 2026.

The Canadian Olympiad depends upon the cooperation of teachers in the high schools and CÉGEPs across the country. It is the teachers who are best placed to identify and encourage promising students, and to put them in touch with regional organizers who, in turn, can provide further information and preparation materials. High-school students of any age may become involved. However, students who wish to participate in the International Physics Olympiad must satisfy some eligibility rules. Also, senior students will generally be more successful, but junior students are encouraged to become involved and gain valuable experience

Previous Olympiads

The 54th International Physics Olympiad was in Paris, France in 2025. See Canadian results here.

The European Olympiad was selected for the 2024 competition, which was held in Kutaisi, Georgia. See how the Canadian Team did here.

The 53rd International Physics Olympiad took place in Tokyo, Japan in 2023. See how the Canadian Team did here.