Although I have been training for nearly three years and have participated almost 20 contests on this ID, but I still cannot become a Specialist.
In fact, I have learned many advanced algorithms, even including Link Cut Tree and polynomial multi-point evaluation, but I even find it difficult to pass the D problem of Div.2, which requires almost no any difficult algorithms.
I find that I always fail to observe the properties of the problem or get stuck in corner cases for a long time.
I have seen many friends who have been training with me successfully become Specialists or even Experts, and I feel a bit anxious.
Do you have any good ideas about this? I will be extremely grateful!
how is any of those algorithms gonna help you, like learn how to do binary search first
Codeforces doesn't use algorithms until like 2200+ problems. Everything else is just fundamental data structures, DP, binary search, and graph traversal.
Focus on condensing problems into simpler forms and being able to implement these quickly and accurately.
Also, you can try working out problems on paper until you have a very promising solution before coding anything up.
Hi) Ofc i dont have a very high rank, but one friend told me to improve my speed on the contest, and it helped a lot, and i will try again to improve it. So my advice is — imporve ur speed, like do a lot of virtual rounds and try to solva div2 abc for a time.
I think i am stuck because of this :
I can do pretty tough problems 1600+ fairly well in practice . But always choke in contest: when i try to read the problem statement fast and solve it . I always end up making extreme and bad assumptions
A bit of story of how I reached expert. During that time, I was so pissed of my university lesson because they are giving me useless design lessons that I don't like at all. The only thing on my mind back then was how I can skip group meetings by doing something productive. I just grinded CF and got blue.
Now I am grinding for CM because some people piss me off. Although, I have internship so I don't have much time.
Your situation is a bit like mine. I in atcoder also can't rank up fast, but you can do this: do more constructive problem, it can active thinking, do more problem of the same level as yours, if you spend lots of times even can't solve it, you can look editorial or seek assistance from AI.
Don’t worry about advanced algorithms. Focus on solving lots of problems rated 1500–1900, practice noticing patterns, and handle corner cases carefully. Consistent practice will help you become a Expert.:)
Thanks.
I found that my CSP-S-2024&2023's score was a bit higher than you, but you have become an Expert for only 6 contests! I may just need more contests or practice more.
Maybe CF rating and CSP scores aren’t directly related… I scored 150 in 2023, but most of my systematic training has been in the last six months, so I’m definitely stronger now than back then. I’m not sure about the Zhejiang cutoff, but you probably got a first prize too, right?
One thing I can suggest: you could participate in more Div.3 contests—they can really help improve your rating.
That's Right.
By the way, the name and province in my ID is not real（
I'm not from ZJ in fact.(
2D is a bit overkill for mint. try more virtual contests and aim for specialist performances (use web extensions to see your performances)
In my opinion, the only thing you need to reach specialist is binary search + prefix and some good logic, because most of the A-B-C are basic Logic problems and no algorithms are needed.
Bro, check my rating graph almost 180 contests and still a pupil. I think I’ve reached a new form of depression. Any idea how to keep going?
Haven't you been specialist?
I'm a specialist now.(
Congratulations Bro.
you don't need to solve D div.2 regularly to be +1400, it's enough to solve the first 3, you just need to work on your speed, btw congrats for the new rate <3
Codeforces problems are more likely to be "logic" problems, rather than "algorithmic"