CSHS: Competition Tips

I'm vatsa pandey, CSHS officer of 2024 mar-may, this is a resource for current and future competitions, to get the list updated, email me at vatsapandey123@gmail.com

We participate in the following competitions:

• KU Website Design
• K-State Programming Competition
• PicoCTF
• USACO/IOI
• AoC (Advent of Code)

KU Website Design

• Each year's competition is randomized, so read the manuals carefully.
• Types of competitions include interview-based and software/app-based.
• For interview-based competitions, cover all angles of the topics mentioned and show a clear understanding of how they work.
• For software/app-based competitions, understand the requirements, brainstorm ideas, and work in small teams using familiar tech stacks.
• Use tools like Replit if you're new to Git/GitHub.
• Be cautious about using Github commits/PRs to avoid accumulating errors.
• Ensure each team has a unique UI or one unique feature, while helping each other.

K-State Programming Competition

• Most solutions can be represented as math equations or fundamental algorithms.
• A USACO silver level will cover everything required for this competition.
• Beginners should start with basic level, while experienced users can opt for advanced level.
• Practice on Leetcode/Codeforces or past USACO silver+bronze questions.

PicoCTF

• Use the PicoCTF practice gym and get familiar with Linux terminal tools and cybersecurity environment.
• Specialize in a specific category and cover as much as possible.
• Examine clues per question and identify the case it refers to.
• Practicing 200-300 point problems will likely place you in the top ~100 teams out of 3k.
• Try practicing 500 point problems, but they can be challenging.
• Seek help from someone with cybersecurity experience for 400-500 point questions, asking for guidance rather than answers.

USACO/IOI

• These competitions require knowledge of AP CS A concepts.
• There are four tiers: bronze, silver, gold, and platinum.
• The top 15 participants represent America at the IOI, and the top 4 after that represent the country at the IOI.
• Practice all concepts in the USACO guide.
• Achieving a platinum tier is considered enough for admission to a T20 university for CS, with a decent GPA.

AoC (Advent of Code)

• A Christmas challenge, similar to USACO and K-State competitions.
• Have fun and enjoy the challenge.