Tian2 The Library of Competitions Tian2 Editions
Volume I · MMXXVI Issue No. 1 — Spring
连环画图解竞赛  ·  Illustrated Guides

Two competitions,
drawn from the inside out.

Hand-drawn pencil panels that cut through the noise on BPhO scoring and ISEF fair navigation. No slides. No bullet lists. Just ink on paper, walking you through the questions that actually matter.

I.

British Physics Olympiad — Understanding the Score

Three panels on BPhO scoring: what the award tiers mean, which band US colleges recognize, and how your rank maps against typical admissions statistics. Unofficial analysis; original scoring © British Physics Olympiad.

A stick figure asks: what score should I be aiming for? A notepad shows Score 75 = Top Gold, the tier recognized by US colleges.
Panel 1 of 3

The question every entrant asks: what score do I actually need? Score 75 earns Top Gold — the tier most recognized in US college applications.

Three figures at different heights illustrate award tiers: Top Gold (6–10%, scores 40–50, ~180 students), Gold (9–12%, scores 30–40), Silver (18–22%, scores 20–30).
Panel 2 of 3

The award tiers in full. Top Gold: top 6–10%, scores 40–50, roughly 180 students. Gold: 9–12%, scores 30–40. Silver: 18–22%, scores 20–30.

A score pyramid maps BPhO rank against admissions averages: score 15 (average 94.35%), 30 (86.42%), 50 (64.54%), and a full 100 at the base.
Panel 3 of 3

A score pyramid mapping BPhO percentile rank against historical admissions averages: score 15 (avg 94.35%), score 30 (86.42%), score 50 (64.54%).

II.

ISEF — Navigating the Fair Ladder

Four panels on how to reach the International Science and Engineering Fair: finding your regional fair, presenting at county level, advancing through state, and understanding the routes available to students who studied in China. Unofficial guide; ISEF is a program of the Society for Science.

A map showing a state divided into counties — County 1, County 2, County 3 — with a stick figure marking 'This is my school.' Task: find the regional fair website.
Panel 1 of 4

Step one is geographic. Find the county your school sits in, then locate that county's affiliated regional fair website.

At the regional fair, a figure presents their project to judges. Paths branch: advance to Grand Final directly, go to state fair, or return next year.
Panel 2 of 4

At the regional fair you present your project to judges. Top performers may advance to the state fair, or — in rare cases — directly to the Grand Final.

A wide table of projects at the state fair, with judges deliberating. 'Second chance is real!' — more competitive, but judges have time to engage deeply.
Panel 3 of 4

State fairs give you a second chance. The field is more competitive, but judges have time to engage seriously with your work. Top projects advance to ISEF.

A map of China and the US with arrows showing project quotas. China: ~30 projects via Ying Cai Ji Hua / Qing Chuang Sai, 5 via Chuan Sai. US: 900 via regional and state fairs.
Panel 4 of 4

Access routes from China: Ying Cai Ji Hua and Qing Chuang Sai together send roughly 30 projects; Chuan Sai sends five. Students who studied in China may still qualify through US regional fairs.

Unofficial; not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Physics Olympiad, the Society for Science (ISEF), or any affiliated organization. Analyses and illustrated commentary are original work by Tian2; original exam scoring frameworks, award criteria, and fair structures remain © their respective owners.