A Roadmap That
Will Not Be Run.
Every phase from the Open Round onwards has been cancelled due to sudden circumstances we could not have foreseen. The schedule is left here for the record. We're sorry.
Important Announcement
AOAC 2026 has been cancelled.
Due to sudden circumstances that we could not have foreseen, we are unable to run the 2026 AO Guide Astrophysics Challenge. The Open Round on 16 August will not take place, and no further rounds will be held this season.
We are deeply sorry. We know how much preparation you put in, and we know an announcement this close to the exam is the worst possible time to receive it. The responsibility for that is entirely ours, and we apologise unreservedly to every one of you.
Registrations are closed and no exam will be held. The 2025 archive stays online and open to everyone.
If you have any questions, write to aoac@aoguide.app and we will answer personally.
Competition Roadmap
Pre-Registrations
Pre-registrations open for all eligible students.
Registration & Onboarding
Registrations open for all eligible students globally. Participants gain access to their AOAC dashboard.
The Open Round
A 60-minute long objective online exam testing physical intuition, approximation skills, and astrophysics concepts.
Results & Shortlisting
Top performers are shortlisted based on their score in the Open Round. Selected participants advance to the Invitational Round.
The Invitational
A 72-hour subjective challenge requiring deep analytical thinking. Participants may use Python, numerical methods, and creative modeling to solve open-ended astrophysics problems.
Final Standings & Recognition
Top performers of the Invitational Round are recognized and honoured. High-performing candidates may be featured, invited for collaborations, or highlighted for research potential.