vigcancode's blog

How to improve
By vigcancode, history, 5 months ago, In English

I have been solving questions continuously for the past 60+ days and I feel that there is no big improvement , I accept the fact that it will take some time to improve , but at this stage what all should I learn (any new algorithms -like binary search bitmasks ) and which set of problems should start solving (as of now I'm trying from C2- ladders (1000-1200) level .

 
 
 
 
  • Vote: I like it
  • -12
  • Vote: I do not like it

»
5 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E8j0FCoNbdptnaPxwmeaRqp6UkTGPg-6NUjLGJDNGMI/edit . Go through this once .

→ Reply
»
5 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

bro also give contest regularly along with practice to have time-bound experience and topics are binary_search, number theory, and greedy for now. I hope it will help u out.

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

Just read a basic algorithm book like CLRS. It doesn't take too long and it contains most of algorithms you need to know, except segment trees.

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

According to CF analytics you are only practicing 800-1100 really, try practicing 1200-1400. Also don't look at editorial when practicing.

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

    Why shouldn't I read editorials when practicing?

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

      I heard that it is good to try to solve it for 20-30 minutes before trying to read editorial, as otherwise your brain doesn't work. Maybe only read editorial after you can not solve it on your own and have tried for over 30 minutes.

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

    Oh ok Thanks

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

Stop solving problems. Touch grass or hang out with friends please

→ Reply
»
12 days ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

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

→ Reply
»
12 days ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

the best answer is : use your mind , and train it , don't look to editorial too fast, just think like there is no editorial to the problem , and you must solve it!

yes you might be stuck for a long time, but if you still generating ideas, continue doing so.

if you are stuck( AKA no more ideas generated) > X time( you define X) , check editorial.

→ Reply
»
12 days ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

I don't there's much for you to learn now, for A B and C in Div.2 contests takes almost no algorithms other than searching and binary search. Also, improving do take time, look at my graph and it's really painful XD

→ Reply
»
12 days ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

Hi, I know that I'm still low rating but I'll try to recommend you some stuff that I think has been working for me so far, you should check this blog https://codeforces.com/blog/entry/111099 and if are struggling to follow a path on what to learn I would recommend you https://usaco.guide/ .
I also think it's very important to avoid editorials as much as possible, try to solve the problem for around 30 minutes, if after that you run out of ideas on how to progress on that puzzle check one line of the editorial until you get an idea on how to progress. Usaco guide has an how to practice section that describes something similar https://usaco.guide/general/practicing .

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

does that mean *1800 problems are too easy for me to practice if I can always solve them from them in archive in less than 40 minutes?

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

    It could be easy for you, but you might want to solve it faster (maybe). If you solve the easy ones faster, you would have more time to solve the harder ones. So once you can solve 1800 problems really fast, you could then move on to higher rated, which I think would be more suitable. If it takes like 30 minutes (around a quarter of a contest) to solve a 1800 problem (usually like a div2D or smth), you wouldn't have time to solve the 2000+ problems like a div2E or F (because they seem dang hard). If there is anything wrong with my logic please do inform me.

    → Reply