About USAAAO/IOAA
"Our goal at the USA Astronomy and Astrophysics Organization (USAAAO) is to promote interest in astrophysics and astronomy across the country. Through resources, online training and selection tests, we encourage academic development and select students to represent the USA at the International Olympiad for Astronomy and Astrophysics." - USAAAO
"The main goal of IOAA is to promote the growing interest in Astronomy and related subjects, especially through the general education of young people, and enhancing the development of international contacts among different countries in promoting Astronomy and Astrophysics in schools. It is expected through the event like IOAA more bright high school students will be eager to study astronomy at the university level to become the next generation astronomers." - IOAA
USAAAO Site: usaaao.org/
IOAA Site: www.ioaastrophysics.org/
FAQs: usaaao.org/faqs/
"The main goal of IOAA is to promote the growing interest in Astronomy and related subjects, especially through the general education of young people, and enhancing the development of international contacts among different countries in promoting Astronomy and Astrophysics in schools. It is expected through the event like IOAA more bright high school students will be eager to study astronomy at the university level to become the next generation astronomers." - IOAA
USAAAO Site: usaaao.org/
IOAA Site: www.ioaastrophysics.org/
FAQs: usaaao.org/faqs/
Exam Structure
Round 1
Round 2: National Astronomy Competition (NAC)
Round 3: Online Training
Round 4: IOAA
All four rounds will follow the IOAA syllabus here: usaaao.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/ioaa_syllabus.pdf
- Open to all high school students
- Late January/Early February
- Around 75 minutes and around 30 MCQ
- Are allowed a scientific calculator and the provided table of constants
- All students who place above a particular cutoff score will advance to Round 2
Round 2: National Astronomy Competition (NAC)
- Students who score above the Round 1 cutoff are invited to take the NAC
- Are allowed a scientific calculator and the provided table of constants
- Top 5 or 10 scorers (depending on whether two teams are allowed) are selected to compete at the IOAA as a member of Team USA and participate in Round 3
- Additional students may be invited to participate in Round 3 depending on a variety of factors
Round 3: Online Training
- Selected students from Round 2 participate in Online Training with mentors and professional astronomers to prepare for the IOAA
- On a weekly basis over several months
- No further cuts will be made in Round 3 - Team USA will be determined solely based on the results from the NAC
Round 4: IOAA
- Held at host country
- The five selected students from the NAC will go on an all-expenses paid trip to compete
- Secondary team may be allowed at the host country's discretion
- Consists of both theoretical and practical exams
All four rounds will follow the IOAA syllabus here: usaaao.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/ioaa_syllabus.pdf
