jinnkanap's blog

By jinnkanap, history, 4 years ago, In English

Hi all. I recently started doing cp. I have attended only two contest thus far, and haven't done much practise at all -- Contest #662 and #663 Div2 — I solved problems A and B in both of them and got ranks 4743 and 9891 respectively. The subsequent questions in both of the contests seemed to be way beyond my level of understanding and implementing within the contest duration.

So my question is — How many problems are/were you guys able to solve when you had just started out in cp. I have heard a lot that with practice, one becomes better and better. But that just means that every person who has had enough practice and is logical enough — would eventually be able to solve all the 5 problems in the Div2 contests, right? But that just seems too good to be true. So how many problems in the Div2 contests should one realistically aim for to get a sense of his coding level and expertise w.r.t other programmers with the same experience as him out there?

One could also say that I am asking the approx timeline of the CP journey -- How much time did you take to improve and solve more questions consistently. I think the answers would really benefit the other members starting out with cp like me as well. Thanks in advance for any comments and suggestions!

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4 years ago, # |
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I was solved just 1 problem at my first contest in codeforces. But that was maybe my limitation. Then I was just introduced with competitive programming. Now my max capability is Div-2 C, Div-3 D.

Solving 2/3 problem continuously might help you to get color soon.

I didn't improved much, so I think i am not suppose to advice much.
(sorry for poor English)

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
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    Hi. Thanks for replying! The truth is I am the type of person who easily gives up when the going gets tough. So I wanted to get a rough idea of how tough everyone feels competitive programming is in the beginning. Maybe I could use it as motivation.

    I just saw Div 1 and Div 2 in the system. I think the new rating system has removed Div 3 that's why I don't know about it. Also, what are these Div-2 C and D? Could you help me out here?

    And so what if you didn't improve much. You might have worked on other things that the codeforces platform rating cannot even judge! :)

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      4 years ago, # ^ |
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      When we introduce with a new thing, we feel most of them as difficult.
      But once we find the interest, this might give us enjoyment also.

      Yeah, at the begining, the difficulty you are facing, most of my friends including me also faced. But in this field, you should not give up easily.

      Div2 problem A and B are basically easy type, and someone who is new in competetive programming can maybe easily solve them. But most of the time problem C and D might require some DS and Algo knowledge.

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4 years ago, # |
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I hovered around 1400 for my first few contests, solving A and B. After 3 months of random solving and doing contests I got blue. All it takes is solving D and/or E in easier div 2 rounds / div 3 rounds or solving C in a harder div2 round.

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4 years ago, # |
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I solved 0 problems on my first 2 div 3 rounds, and later I was able to solve 1-2 question in div2/div3.

every person who has had enough practice and is logical enough — would eventually be able to solve all the 5 problems in the Div2 contests, right? But that just seems too good to be true — it isn't too good to be true, it is true.

Rather than getting a sense of your coding level w.r.t other programmers get a sense so that you stop comparing and focus on your goals.

This is not a race track so there is no approx timeline, everybody follows their own plan.