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British Astrophysics Olympiad (BAAO) Round 1 2025

Hi all - did anyone else sit the BAAO? If so, how did it go?

I shan't say too much about my experience with this year's paper for a couple days because of standard rules on talking about it, but since there's no specific silence period on the online past papers, I'll start the thread now.

My first time doing BAAO, and I considered it a breath of fresh air compared to BPhO - similar style, but very different feel to the questions for some reason. Loads of fun (at least for someone like me...). Time-wise I would probably opt for BPhO's 2h40m over BAAO's 2h, but I think it being 30% shorter probably makes it a bit nicer an experience for people who haven't done loads of olympiad-style competitions.

If anyone has the grade boundaries from 2024's paper, I'd love to see them.

Also, did anyone take the optional observational astronomy question in Section 2? - like most I didn't, but I would love to hear from someone who did, and whether they just crammed the content or if they do astronomy in their own time anyway.

Finally, well done to everyone who participated - just getting to grips with the new content is a bit of a slog, but it's well worth it.

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Reply 1

Vjvfybftyg

I actully found it more interesting than BpHo round 1. That is most likely because it has more applications of different maths concepts when compared to the physics one. And maybe also because I learned a lot of new content( my spec of a level physics does not go in depth in astrophysics).

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

Shush’s

Original post by RAHUX

Hi all - did anyone else sit the BAAO? If so, how did it go?
I shan't say too much about my experience with this year's paper for a couple days because of standard rules on talking about it, but since there's no specific silence period on the online past papers, I'll start the thread now.
My first time doing BAAO, and I considered it a breath of fresh air compared to BPhO - similar style, but very different feel to the questions for some reason. Loads of fun (at least for someone like me...). Time-wise I would probably opt for BPhO's 2h40m over BAAO's 2h, but I think it being 30% shorter probably makes it a bit nicer an experience for people who haven't done loads of olympiad-style competitions.
If anyone has the grade boundaries from 2024's paper, I'd love to see them.
Also, did anyone take the optional observational astronomy question in Section 2? - like most I didn't, but I would love to hear from someone who did, and whether they just crammed the content or if they do astronomy in their own time anyway.
Finally, well done to everyone who participated - just getting to grips with the new content is a bit of a slog, but it's well worth it.

hi, i did the baao too. I'm actually in year 12 so i wasn't so confident on how well i could learn the concepts in time. i think it was hard but very approachable, i would say it was worse than the past papers i did for me in which i got a 42% and a 49% so i definitely got much lower than that but honestly i think it was a really fun experience anyway. i also did the observational btw which was the best and easiest part for me honestly. how did your baao exam go?

Reply 3

sirius_canis

does anyone know when the results will be released?

Reply 4

Vjvfybftyg

Original post by sirius_canis

does anyone know when the results will be released?

Before the February half term, at least it says so on the BPHo website

any updates yet?

Original post by sirius_canis

any updates yet?

no, have you been told anything?

Reply 7

Ecrendis

Results are out, you just have to wait for your teachers to tell you them now.

Reply 8

sirius_canis

I got a top gold :smile:

Reply 9

Ecrendis

Original post by sirius_canis

I got a top gold :smile:

Damn impressive, congrats

Reply 10

Paradox077

Original post by sirius_canis

I got a top gold :smile:

Congrats! Just out of curiosity, are you in year 12 or 13?

Reply 11

sirius_canis

I'm actually in year 12

Reply 12

Shush’s

Original post by sirius_canis

I got a top gold :smile:

hii i didn't get top gold but i would like to try again next year since im in year 12 rn, im just curious how did you prepare for it?

Reply 13

Chalotte L

Anyone know when will the answer come out? Anyone has the round 1 paper yet?

Reply 14

Chalotte L

Original post by Shush’s

Did you remember the answer of observational part, what did you get? Can you tell me? I did that one , but the results are bad😵*💫

Reply 15

Shush’s

Original post by Chalotte L

Did you remember the answer of observational part, what did you get? Can you tell me? I did that one , but the results are bad😵*💫

hi i got bronze I so not great either. i don't actually remember any of the answers actually, do you remember any specific questions just so that i may remember?