In the recent Div. 3 contest there were 8 problems. 3 problems were rated >= 2000.
Why you think it's reasonable to have so many +2000 problems in Div. 3 contest?
Even if contestants have maximum rating 1900 and they ended up having -200 or -300 it's still not good enough reason for so many problems above 1900. I suggest to limit all problems just to below 1800 +- 200. I think the maximum focus for Div. 3 problems should be for those rated newbie-1500 +-300. For example 2 problems 800-900, two problems 1000-1200, and two problems 1200-1500. Maybe one problem is 1500-1800. Otherwise now the only difference between Div.2 and Div. 3 contest is just one more easy problem.
Thanks.
When I was really about 1800, I solve two 2100 problems in a single div.2 contest.
A problem which rates over 2000 doesn't mean that a user rates about 1800 can't solve it in any case. Sometimes they just need to push themselves and then they can achieve a higher level.
Perhaps having one 2000* problem is suitable for a div.3 contest? :-)
When you were 1800 Div. 2 contest was perfect for you. Div. 3 main focus should be for those 1600 and below, imho. It doesn't mean that you cannot participate in Div. 3 contests, it just means that for you it will be quite easy and you can compete in Div.2 and later in Div.1 rounds if your rating grows.
Um....
Then how do you think about 2700+ problems in div.2? :-_
This is just my perspective, but i find problem ratings from div 3 problems much higher than their actual difficulty, when compared to div 1 problems of the same rating. I agree that this last div 3 was harder than usual, but for instance problem F wouldn't be more than 1600 if it was in Div 1/2 IMO.
It is quite well known that the ratings of the last few problems of div3s are inflated, most of the time.
Also, I think that if a div3 contest has 7-8 problems, it is not unreasonable for the last 2 or so problems to be difficult for div3 participants. It is usually the same for div2 participants as well.
Difficulty aside div.3 problems are getting interesting these days, and one can learn a lot from them, so I guess we should focus on that!