PR_0202's blog

How to become Candidate Master
By PR_0202, 4 years ago, In English

Hi,

From the previous 5 months I gave about 40+ contest and I am still stucked at Expert everytime I hit 1800+ rating it falls down again and again....

Please suggest me some strategy to become a Candidate Master on CF.

Thanks in advance...

UPD 1: Finally after 7 weeks of this blog I became CM :)

many of my friends were asking for suggestion. so, here are the few of them.!

  1. Errichto, Aman Dhattarwal and Love Babbar (in hindi) playlist if you want to step into CP or you're a beginner.
  2. If you want to be rated X, then you must be able to solve problem with rating X+200. And try to solve every problem within a short time as you're in competing.
  3. Whenever giving a contest, don't care about falling of your rating, your aim should be to solve as many problems as possible, it really helped me to improve my performance in the contest.
  4. Up-solving (Atleast problems till 2000 rating).
  5. Try finding weak areas and start solving those problems.
  6. Try to make friends who are having rating +(100-200) of your current rating and who gives contests frequently.
  7. Most important Don't Give Up.

UPD 2: After continuous grinding of about 7 months of last update I finally became Orange :)

  • Vote: I like it
  • +86
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (107)
| Write comment?
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Auto comment: topic has been updated by PR_0202 (previous revision, new revision, compare).

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Auto comment: topic has been updated by PR_0202 (previous revision, new revision, compare).

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

How would you answer "How to become Expert?"?

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

    For becoming Expert on CF I would suggest do 10 random 1600+ questions per day ans see the result in a month :)

    And never miss any contest..(must)

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

      Why don't you apply the same with little change(solve 1900+).

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        4 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it -20 Vote: I do not like it

        Solving random topics won't help much in my case ig.

        You must have sufficient practice in each topics..

        → Reply
        • »
          »
          »
          »
          »
          4 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

          Not really, that works for CM as well in my experience. There aren't really many "topics" that appear below 1900 (or 2100 for that matter). There might be a few such ideas but you'll mostly likely come across them while solving problems.

          → Reply
          • »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            4 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +88 Vote: I do not like it

            In fact, That's work till GM

            I never learn any particular "topics". Just randomly solve problems with 2100-2800 difficulty

            → Reply
            • »
              »
              »
              »
              »
              »
              »
              4 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +22 Vote: I do not like it

              Is there any LGM who will also say this?

              → Reply
          • »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            4 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

            Probably its supposed to work but combined rounds interferes everytime.

            → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      if you never mind, please tell me how you managed time to solve 10 1600 rated problems in a day. what is your approach to solve a problem? how many time do you give per problem? I am asking because I can't manage to solve 3 problems(1500 rated) a day. I spend about 2-2.50 hours per problem. what will be more efficient as your opinion ?

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        4 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        Don't jump directly to 1600 just solve problems with your rating+200 then you will see the result. Every day make sure that you are doing better than the day before.

        → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      how much time do u give per question before jumping to solution??

      → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

      10 random problems 1600+ questions what the heck? When I practice 2200 problems, each problem can take me 2 hours(if I still have ideas). Lets say if I am 100% concentrated, 1 hour or I read an editorial. I cannot have 100% concentration for 10 in a day basically.

      → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      2 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      Is it all right to give contests with non main ids, I can do contests without worrying about results but it probably is also a downside

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        2 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it -7 Vote: I do not like it

        no its against the rules

        → Reply
        • »
          »
          »
          »
          »
          2 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

          Everybody I know has alt accounts. There shouldn't be a restriction for anyone taking part in a contest from secondary account as long as he is not cheating. The reason for a rule against such wouldn't be an ethical one, but might be a technical one. It makes sense that people taking part in contests from alt accounts might disrupt the rating system. But nonetheless, it is inevitable that there would be some inaccuracies in the rating system. A rule that can't be applied is one that shouldn't be tried in the first place.

          Regardless, that's not my question

          → Reply
          • »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            2 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it -8 Vote: I do not like it

            Still, A rule is a rule. Nothing rationalizes breaking the rule unless it's another rule.

            → Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

You should try:

  1. Upsolving(Atleast problems till 2000 rating).

  2. Try finding weak areas and start solving those problems.(Like for me its generally implementation.)

  3. Try to make friends who are having rating +(100-200) of your current rating and who gives contests frequently.

  4. You can give older(unattempted) virtual contests.

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +255 Vote: I do not like it

Just become master and lose 200-300 rating.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +62 Vote: I do not like it

    I would prefer becoming LGM and then loosing a bunch of rating xD

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

      Be patient! Try to solve more problems according to your rating.

      And try to solve every problem within a short time as you're in competing.

      → Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +19 Vote: I do not like it

Practise and rethink after a contest. I believe you will bw a CandidateMaster soon. It not so difficult. Believe in yourself. Go ahead！You can do it！

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

Try this pdf Original Blog

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +17 Vote: I do not like it

Ps: I dont know why are you disliking my post.. Its a geniune question.. pls dont do that.

I have not downvoted your blog, but are you really surprised about downvotes? Just google 'how to become Candidate Master codeforces' and you will get at least 5 similar blogs. I don't see the point of making a new blog on a googleable question.

About your question: solving Div2D consistently should be enough to cross 1900.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

    I went through some of them but I found my case little bit different I rarely missed any contest from the previous 5 months and also did up-solving but found no major change thats why I thought of asking help from more experienced guys :)

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      6 months ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      Hi , i am able to solve till problem b sometimes problem c how can I proceed further

      → Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

And... How to become Master??

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +24 Vote: I do not like it

See I will tell you what I did, or to say what changes I made in my practice strategy to become a candidate master.
You can see my graph, initially after giving 80+(which is double than yours) contest, I was not able to cross even 1800, but then in the last 3 — 4 months I changed the way I used to practice, and you can clearly see the result.
1) First of all, always solve the problems which are always at least 100 or 200 higher in rating you are aiming for. In your case practice problems in the range of (1900 — 2100).
2) Try to learn new techniques, Like in the past 3 months I read about treaps, hld(heavy light decomposition) in trees, centroid decomposition, game theory, etc. This will give you confidence and will keep you motivated (At least it helped me).
3) Whenever giving a contest, don't care about falling of your rating, your aim should be to solve as many problems as possible, it really helped me to improve my performance in the contest.
4) Enjoy solving problems.
Try this practicing strategy, and Hope to see you become a candidate master very soon :).
Sorry for my poor English.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +61 Vote: I do not like it

    you don't need anything mention in number (2)

    problems involving HLD, treaps, centroid is easily 2500++ which is not required to reach CM (i never solve those kind problems in live contest)

    → Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Thanks for your comment . I have 2 fake accounts with more than 80 contests (48 + 25 + 29) and the 3 are in cm. I've been following those tips for a few months now and I don't feel much progress. I learn slightly more advanced topics, I train with 1 or 2 daily problems from 2000 — 2200 to stay in shape, but I have become even slower to solve problems A, B, C div2 (the goal is to solve all 3 in less than 25 minutes) try D in half an hour and E in one hour. but I do not meet the times. What would you recommend me?

    Sorry for my poor English. xd

    → Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

    To this, I would like to add something.

    I try to solve problems on my own, and If I fail to do so and read the editorial, I write it down the whole editorial on a paper as my punishment (No matter how small part I missed initially). Doing this forces me to think a little more before giving up :P

    → Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

I'm in your same boat rn. Became expert in May like you, Gave almost every contest in these 5 months and still expert. But I do feel I'm making progress and am very close to reaching CM.

Lets have a race to see who reaches CM first :D

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +40 Vote: I do not like it

Jeez this question is asked two times a day

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

but why do you want to become Candidate master?
your graph is already so good imo

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

In practice dont waste time on problem with rating below certain lvl (like ur maybe 1900... I prefer try to push that lvl to 2000, 2100 ... some topics like game theory can be exception but for rest u have to follow that strict lvl)... U cant be CM with practicing below 1900 only, as general ur rating = Lvl of questions u practice — 200.

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

Congrats <3 you did it

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

Well deserved:)

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

Congrats PR_0202 ! mind sharing your journey and experience ?

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

Congrats! PR_0202. Share your experience from reaching M to CM ^_^

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

A simple advice : Don't waste time looking at your submission list ( in case you are doing so ) . Congrats btw .

→ Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

Can anyone please tell me how much time you give to CP each day to become Candidate Master?

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

    As much that at the end of the day of have the feeling : "oh god that was wonderful and tiring day"

    → Reply
  • »
    »
    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

    well try not to think of it in terms of hours per day. Just solve 200+ problems yourself with rate >= 2100 and bam you are a CM

    → Reply
»
4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Can anyone suggest me anything. I have been trying a lot but still not able to improve. I don't know what am I lacking. Can someone suggest me some strategy to improve my ratings.

PS: I tried solving lots of virtual Contests, solving lots of problems of my rating +-200 even sometimes +300 or +400. I solved random problems + topic-wise also, still not able to improve.

Thanks a Lot !!

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    pranshukas I think after every contest you should spend some time exploring the mistakes you made, why you made them and how can you avoid them next time. It worked for me, I think it will work for you too.

    → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +33 Vote: I do not like it

Aman Dhattarwal and Love Babbar like seriously????.I stopped reading your blog at this point.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it -33 Vote: I do not like it

    Its all about perception

    → Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

    PR_0202 I think you forget to tag the handles of Aman Dhattarwal and Love Babbar.

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +7 Vote: I do not like it

      Yes provide us their handle for guidance

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

        Haters gonna hate but none can deny that Love Babbar is so orz that he reached CM even without having a cf id.

        → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Love Babbar. seriously bro :)

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

For those writing shits about the line in which I mentioned love babbar and Aman Dhattarwal, I would suggest them to read the line again.

" ...if you want to step into CP or you're a beginner "

This is totally based on my experience, I personally watched their videos in the starting to learn c++ and have some basic understanding of it.

Most of the beginners jump to Codeforces directly without any implementation stills and can't even solve A. You must know about basic things like time complexity and loops.

Again I'm saying it's my opinion, and I mentioned those points because some of you had asked for it, if you have any problem just dislike the blog.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    You're right about that part, but I think the problem lies in their other videos like in which they make it seem a great deal to be 5* on codechef, and say that this will directly help you in cracking coding rounds. It's really misguiding for beginners who assume that rating is everything. Specially when they themselves have no proper CP background, such guidance has no weight. That's probably the main reason why people are complaining.

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it -6 Vote: I do not like it

      Yeah its misleading I agree, but specifically I was talking about this playlist which I followed in the beginning.

      → Reply
      • »
        »
        »
        »
        3 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it -6 Vote: I do not like it

        Tutorial you mentioned here has been named "C++ placement course" and you say they are for beginners.See how credible "Aman Dhattarwal" is.

        → Reply
        • »
          »
          »
          »
          »
          3 years ago, # ^ |
          ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it -13 Vote: I do not like it

          PR_0202 How would a placement C++ course going to help in competitive programming for beginners?

          → Reply
          • »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            »
            3 years ago, # ^ |
              Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

            It’s just his opinion He is only stating the resources he found useful. If you find something better, use that instead of questioning others about the credibility of the resources they have used.

            → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +12 Vote: I do not like it

PR_0202 orz!! Thanks for helping me numerous times in need. I am grateful to you for answering my all silly doubts. Best of luck for your Grandmaster journey.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

    Thank you so much bro, also congratulations on becoming Expert ;)

    → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

Congrats brother, if you don't mind, I wanted to ask, out of all the 1900+ problems you solved, what percentage did you solve without looking at the editorial?

=

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

    Thanks brother!! I hadn't solved 1900 problems yet but from those problems which I solved, I guess in around 15-25% of the problems I took help from the editorial.

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

      my apologies, I meant the 1900+ rated problems, it's great that you took help in only 15% of the problems, Now I'll also try even harder to solve the problem without looking at the editorial :)

      → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

Congrats! Your story is very inspirational :)

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

Hope that I will reach CM too before my account become 1 years old :(

Your story is so inspirational bro.

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    tell me why you want to reach and how much you are giving your time for it?

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

      "If you stop about 5 minutes to relax, you'll be left behind"

      My mom told me that. I just practice anytime I can.

      → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

i am reading this post after 10 months of released posted, and i see u as a master, hats off!

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +6 Vote: I do not like it

Thanks for your helpful suggestion.

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

Just wanted to know , how Aman Dhattarwal helped you in CP ?

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +10 Vote: I do not like it

Now you reached Master. Congratulations!

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +4 Vote: I do not like it

How can someone write Errichto and [ Aman Dhattarwal + Love Babbar ] in the same line bro.. I mean Errichto is a gem ... and these two guys are half of their time busy creating misleading content ..

I am baffled .

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

-How to become CM?

-Very simple, become a master first:)

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    3 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

    Yes, whats the next step?

    → Reply
    • »
      »
      »
      3 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

      Take part in a contest and get a bad rank(1k+ is enough).

      Tomorrow morning, you'll find you're purple.

      P.S.Don't get a too bad rank, or you'll drop to blue.

      → Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -8 Vote: I do not like it

I have been struggling for making Master for a year. After I retired at 2017, I really don’t have enough time and motivation to actively dedicate to CP. However, I have been always thinking I am in the master level, it is not that hard even if I dropped to Blue.

Then I jump from Blue to Yellow with like 4 contests, so please keep confident always.

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I am in search of some topics/DS/Algo that shuld be particularly grinded upon to become CM(or even more) . Can someone provide a list or something
PS : I Just studied HLD, Centroid Decomposition , Mo's (without updates)

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -6 Vote: I do not like it

Fail a contest

→ Reply
»
3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +15 Vote: I do not like it

Congratulations！

→ Reply
»
19 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I have seen many people struck in expert range for a long time. What is the mistake they have done which can be avoided? Or reason is experts to cm tack time for more knowledge and practice?

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    19 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

    There's no secret trick, you will be stuck in some range it's just that less talented people reach this point in specialist-CM range while more gifted ones rush to M-GM and get stuck there. There's no secret, it's just about practice and your potential.

    It sucks to hesr but there is certainly a huge genetic potential role in terms of mental capabilities, there are many people who test different strategies for 4-5 years yet fail to reach Master or higher, whereas some fresh coders rush to Master in a smaller timeframe e. g. 10-12 months.

    Were it possible for everyone to reach LGM with sufficient amounts of practice you wouldn't see hundreds of coders stuck at GM-IGM for 5-6 years. They can't be insane to practice the wrong way which gets you to 2500-2700 but not beyond. We all know it is not likely for someone to practice easy problems or not expand their thinking ability and rech 2500 rating, you have to be doing something right.

    Just don't overthink it, try your best and enjoy the journey.

    → Reply
»
17 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I took long to become expert and I am really ashamed of that, but this time I can't repeat the same mistakes , need to become cm in quick enough time

→ Reply
»
17 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I wonder why you didn't receive the rage from the lower-ranked users unlike me.

→ Reply
»
17 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I did lot of 2200 rated problems on problemset. I feel confident about them too. Can anyone help me with my rating not being > 2200 :(

→ Reply
»
13 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

Bro, can you update this post to "How to become Master"? :3

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    13 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

    Thanks for the comment, I got to see codeforces after months :)

    → Reply
»
11 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Have you gave up competitive programing? Because I don't see submissions for the last year

→ Reply
  • »
    »
    10 months ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

    Just wanted to explore my final year fully. Swimming, guitar, ukulele, dating and what not! Still exploring btw ;)

    → Reply