My IAAC Competition Experience: Semi-Final
Margarita is your Student Ambassador in Greece, leading a series of articles about Aerospace Engineering as part of her leadership project.
My Experience in the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition Semi-Final Round
Participating in the semi-final round was both exciting and intimidating. Looking back, I am still surprised that I managed to qualify for the final round.
A few days before the semi-final exam, all participants received a real scientific research paper that would form a part of the examination. Unlike a typical astronomy competition, where questions only focus on general knowledge and problem-solving, this round required us to study and understand a real research paper. I spent three days trying to understand its concepts, methods, and conclusions. Some parts were fascinating, while others were difficult to grasp, especially because the paper covered topics that were far beyond what I had previously studied.
Three days later, it was time for the semi-final round. The exam lasted 60 minutes and was conducted online, with cameras required to remain on throughout the entire session. Knowing that I was being monitored and that competitors from around the world were taking the same test added an extra layer of pressure.
When the exam started, I quickly realized it was not going to be easy. The first section contained two challenging astronomy and astrophysics problems. As I read through them, my confidence dropped; many of the concepts were unknown to me, and for a moment, I thought my chances of advancing were over. I did my best to apply logical reasoning and educated guesses wherever I could.
The remaining questions were based on the research paper that had been provided beforehand. Fortunately, I had spent time studying it. The exam tested not only whether participants had read the paper but also whether they truly understood the scientific ideas behind it. When the 60 minutes ended, I felt uncertain about my performance. I knew I had struggled with several parts of the exam, particularly the two difficult problems at the beginning.
Because of that, I was genuinely surprised when the results were announced, and I learned that I had passed the semi-final round and qualified for the finals. It was an incredible feeling. The experience taught me that success in competitions is not always about knowing every answer. Sometimes perseverance, careful preparation, and staying calm under pressure can make a significant difference.
Qualifying for the final round was one of the most rewarding moments of my academic journey. Despite the challenges and uncertainty during the exam, I proved to myself that it is possible to succeed even when faced with problems that seem far beyond my abilities. The semi-final round was demanding, but it was also an unforgettable experience that strengthened both my confidence and my passion for astronomy and astrophysics.