xiaowuc1's blog

USACO 2024-2025 Second Contest
By xiaowuc1, 5 weeks ago, In English

The second contest of the 2024-2025 USACO season will run from January 24th to January 27th. Good luck to everyone! Please wait until the contest is over for everyone before discussing anything contest-related (including but not limited to your scores or anything about the problems).

There are some new rules regarding the gold division of USACO, please refer to the website regarding the updates, especially if you are trying to promote into platinum.

For those unfamiliar with the USACO contest format, please refer to the contest instructions and rules. We provide a short FAQ but folks should read all the rules carefully.

I have a question about the contest. Where do I ask it?

Email the contest director via the instructions above. Do not post anything publicly about the questions (including but not limited to your scores, how you felt about the problems, any content of the problems, etc) until after the contest is over for everyone. Do not DM me or anyone else affiliated with USACO, only the contest director can assist you. The contest director does not monitor Codeforces, this blog post is merely a courtesy to inform other people of the contest.

When can I enter the contest?

For bronze and silver, the contest will open on January 24th. For gold and platinum, the contest opens at 12pm ET on Saturday, and you must start the contest between 12pm and 12:15pm ET on Saturday to get a certified score.

If I submit multiple programs, which one gets evaluated?

Only the last submission will be evaluated for official scoring purposes.

Can I use prewritten code / templates?

No.

Can I use AI tools during the contest including but not limited to ChatGPT and Copilot?

No.

Am I allowed to use outside resources during the contest?

You may only refer to language documentation.

Can I solve problems in Rust?

No, the only languages supported are C, C++, Java, and Python. Consult the instructions for language-specific technical details.

Will Rust support be added?

Probably not. Petition IOI to add Rust support first.

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4 weeks ago, # |
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Good luck everyone!

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4 weeks ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +19 Vote: I do not like it

I didn't BOOK MY SEATS for taking classes for USACO (BRONZE,SILVER,GOLD,PLATINUM) our 2025 batch is open now, so I will fail.

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    4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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    Shame, I BOOKED MY SEATS for USACO (BRONZE,SILVER,GOLD,PLATINUM) our 2025 batch is open now and now I've AKed plat in 10 minutes.

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4 weeks ago, # |
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is there any way to do higher level contest ? because I'm new and I'm bronze, Can I participate in gold division ?

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    4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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    You have to full-solve bronze and silver beforehand.

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      4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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      Is that possible to full-solve bronze in January 24th and participate in silver in January 25th ?

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        4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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        If you full solve a contest, you can immediately promote and compete in the next division's contest for any time in the time frame. Note that if you want to compete in gold and get a certified contest (meaning you'd be eligible for a promotion to platinum), you'd have to full solve both bronze and silver before 12:00PM EST

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        4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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        Yes, it is called an in-contest promotion.

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4 weeks ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -33 Vote: I do not like it

nigwuc1

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4 weeks ago, # |
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When will the contest start? I am not able to find any link to get into contest. Or the contest will start on 12pm?

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    4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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    Same, where are we supposed to join the contest?

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      4 weeks ago, # ^ |
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      It starts January 24 UTC-12 time, so the window hasn't started yet.

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3 weeks ago, # |
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The mirror is over, so here are my solutions for Bronze and Silver, I'll do Gold videos in the next few days

Codes for bronze, silver

Bronze: Problem 1, Problem 2, Problem 3

Silver: Problem 1, Problem 2, Problem 3

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    3 weeks ago, # ^ |
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    Bronze 1, 2 were easy solved fully. Last one couldn't get subtask 2. Your explanation helped a lot. Thanks, looking for more such videos.

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      3 weeks ago, # ^ |
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      You can check out my other videos from my youtube channel! most of my recent content is past USACO contests

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3 weeks ago, # |
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Is it possible to get down from gold to silver?

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