International Mathematical Olympiad vs International Physics Olympiad
Comparing two elite STEM opportunities. Both are olympiads for high school students.
| International Mathematical Olympiad | International Physics Olympiad | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 1 — Elite | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Olympiad | Olympiad |
| Organization | IMO Official | International Physics Olympiad Organization |
| Acceptance Rate | Extremely competitive; approximately 0.01-0.1% of high school students worldwide reach IMO. For USA: ~6 students selected from 300,000+ AMC participants annually | Extremely selective. Only 5 students per country advance (approximately 400-420 students total compete at IPhO from 80+ countries). At national level, typically 0.01-0.1% of secondary students reach IPhO depending on country. |
| Applicants | Approximately 5,000-6,000 contestants from 100+ countries compete at IMO annually. USA sends 6 representatives from ~300,000 AMC 10/12 participants | Varies dramatically by country. China, Russia, USA, South Korea, India, and Taiwan have thousands of competitors in national rounds. Globally, estimated 100,000+ students compete in preliminary rounds across all participating countries. |
| Deadline | — | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | $0 |
| US Only | No / International | No / International |
| Grades | High school students only; typically grades 9-12 (ages 13-19) | Secondary school students (typically grades 10-12, though exact definitions vary by country) |
| College Impact | Extremely positive and highly prestigious. IMO medalists (especially gold) are exceptionally rare and highly valued by top universities globally. Impact includes: (1) Gold/Silver medalists essentially... | Extremely prestigious for college admissions. IPhO medals (especially gold) are among the most respected accomplishments in high school physics competitions and are viewed extremely favorably by: (1)... |