Format
Find out how SYPT is structured, from shortlisting presentations in November to the Physics Fight finals in February each year.
Overview
Two main stages -
Stage 1: Shortlisting
Stage 2: Physics Fights
Shortlisting
For the shortlisting, teams will prepare a 12-minute presentation comprising:
10 minutes oral presentation to a panel of jurors on one main problem, and
2 minutes of discussion on the progress of any two other problems in the registered category.
After the presentation, they will participate in a 10-15 min Q&A session with a panel of jurors regarding their presentation.
The problems may be chosen from any of the SYPT problems in the registered category
For schools with more than one team, the main problem presented by each team must be different. This applies across categories as well, i.e. Category A and Category B teams cannot both present on the same main problem.
Category A - for participants in JC1 / IP5 / PU1 (or equivalent) and below as of 2025;
Category B - for participants in Sec 3 / IP3 (or equivalent) and below as of 2025.
Physics Fights
Teams who get shortlisted for the SYPT Finals will participate in a total of 4 Physics Fights on the actual day, and will present 2 problems and oppose 2 problems within the category. This can include the problems used during shortlisting. Problems selection will be based on IYPT challenge rules.
The scoring rubric can be found here. This rubric is adapted from the IYPT rubric.
The format for each fight is as follows:
Physics Fight sequence and timing
Sequence | Time (min) |
|---|---|
Opponent challenges the Reporter with a particular problem. Reporter team captain accepts or rejects the challenge problem. | - |
A team may reject the challenge of four different problems without penalty. From then on, every subsequent rejection will result in drop of coefficient of 0.2 (starting from 3.0). | . |
The problems that an opponent cannot challenge will be informed by the chief juror in the room. Problems cannot be challenged if : (c) presented by the reporter earlier, | . |
There must be at least 2 problems left to challenge, otherwise the conditions are released in the order a, b, c, d. | . |
The Reporter prepares his/her presentation | 2 |
The Reporter presents the proposed solution to the problem | 10 |
The Opponent orally questions the Reporter | 2 |
The Opponent prepares his/her presentation | 4 |
The Opponent takes the floor and leads an oral discussion with the Reporter within 4 minutes of taking the floor | 12 |
The Opponent takes the floor to summarise the discussion | 1 |
Final concluding remarks from the Reporter | 1 |
Questions from jurors | 10 |
All jurors write initial comments and scores for Reporter and Opponent | 5 |
Open scoring (Head juror requests all jurors to reveal their scores and request jurors to comment) | 5 |
Total | 52 |