mostafa.saad.fci's blog

Online Free Problem-Solving Coaching
By mostafa.saad.fci, 7 years ago, In English

Last update: August 2020

Registration is opened as long as it is still opened in the form (I receive emails whenever someone applies).

Update: the private problem lists of this program are now made public. I encourage trainees to be more independent...

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Hello guys,

I am a Coach in the ACM ACPC (Arabian) Region. For more about my competitive background.

This is an announcement for Online Free Coaching (Actually, a supervision not coaching).

Supervision Includes

  • Understanding the trainee level in the different algorithmic categories and his\her weak points.
  • Selecting customized problems to solve according to the trainee level/status
  • Following up on what is missing and what is needed to be done
  • Giving attention to several qualitative and quantitative factors.
  • A training sheet that helps you record your progress and discover your training issues. Also, a mind logging technique to understand behavior.
  • Communication: Emails and Chatting (to communicate with me) — Discord (to communicate with other trainees)

Supervision doesn’t include

  • Helping with problems, coding/debugging together
  • Teaching Algorithms: I will tell you what to learn and when

The audience

  • Trainees CF Rating: 2400 — 2900
  • Interest in ICPC — IOI — Online Contests — Improving specific skills or category
  • See some of my trainees opinions about it (replies on xuanquang1999)

Time Dedication

  • Background: I tried several styles in the last years for 'time dedication' and was more disappointed when allowed flexible training availability.
  • I will expect at least 5-10 hours per week in study terms and 20-30 hours per week in summer vacations. Exams are the exception (or good justification). I will cancel the training once this is violated. Don't apply unless planning serious training.

Have interest?

  • Apply.
  • If you are accepted in the supervision, you will receive an email within a week.

Other notes

  • I have designed a sheet for newcomers to make them good up to Codeforces Div2-D level.
  • I have a GitHub repo for IOI/OI official resources / Mini-Editorials for other OJ problems.
  • Vote: I like it
  • +66
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (63)
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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

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

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +7 Vote: I do not like it

    It would be great if your arabic videos could be somehow made available in english.

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      5 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

      Or maybe adding captions would also be sufficient for me.

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7 years ago, # |
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It is only for Div1 people :(

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

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

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

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

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -42 Vote: I do not like it

I was planning to reach rating 2900 on 15 may. Since it's not included in your training I am not interested anymore.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +38 Vote: I do not like it

Why do you do it for free?

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    7 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +29 Vote: I do not like it

    because someone else did this with him for free too

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    7 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +63 Vote: I do not like it

    I like Volunteering activities and feel good doing them. Since 2006 and I am doing kind of volunteering activities related it ICPC, and my channel has most of what I learned from competitions. This is also the case for my many Egyptians in colleges' ICPC communities.

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7 years ago, # |
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Is this only for ACM or IOI as well?

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    7 years ago, # ^ |
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    Both, though my background about IOI is a bit limited. I participated in the local version (EOI) in 2005.

    Edit: Training several IOIers since 2018 now makes my backround about IOI very solid.

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7 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

I have see your channel on competitive programming. Only problem is that its in arabic can you at least provide english subtitles so that it helps beginners like me.

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +5 Vote: I do not like it

I'm somehow below 2500 (yeah it's because I failed at the last CF contest and due to late time and lower quality problems I don't focus much on Codeforces), but does it contain helpful materials for redcoders (especially those who are very good at solving typical implementation problems while getting harsh results in ad-hoc or puzzle inclined contests (= AGC) )?

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

    I do my best to assign interesting problems and learn from trainees feedback. Feel free to apply, join for a while and see.

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +18 Vote: I do not like it

      In the form, it was asking what all algorithms/data structures you are familiar with. Wouldnt the list be quite vast. Isnt it a good idea that you create some sheet with names of algorithms/data structures and people can give from those which they are familiar with?

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +9 Vote: I do not like it

    So.. how is the training going? Do you find it useful?

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    I just noticed this comment. I don't think there are materials for these types of ad-hoc problems. It is all about solving more of them to train your mind as possible to get more observations to get them done.

    Anyway, my supervision is all about assigning problems relative to one's skills.

    Edit: Seems I replied before. I got confused.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +8 Vote: I do not like it

    I have some 2400+ trainees and I think most of them still find my assigned problems useful. You may give a trial and see if it will be helpful for your background/skills or not.

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6 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

Still is it possible to join?I am interested.

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +1 Vote: I do not like it

why blue guy wants to train red guys!

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    his rating doesn't express his level he might be blue but in Egypt this man is a legend

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    he hasn't participated in a while + cf rating isn't everything

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6 years ago, # |
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Still is it possible to join? I am highly interested.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    yes, available, but consider my mentioned conditions.

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
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      I have applied . But no reply yet :(

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        6 years ago, # ^ |
          Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

        As mentioned, You receive an email for acceptance case only. Right now, whoever did not receive an email is not part of the supervision for some reason (e.g. doesn't satisfy its announced conditions).

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          6 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it -13 Vote: I do not like it

          To reach rating 1950-2500 within one month , any suggestion please ?

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6 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +14 Vote: I do not like it

Can anyone participated in this training give a review?

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +87 Vote: I do not like it

    Let me tag subset of them in case this helps.

    2018 supervision: tmwilliamlin168 SpeedOfMagic acraider racsosabe ryuzmukhametov raja1999 zadrga Yehezkiel Huvok sggutier

    2016-2017 supervision: KhaledKEE OmarHashim darksmith TripleM5da _AymanSalah Medo. aabdelzaher Will.It.Tornado yelghareeb MeGaa Emsawy Silence95 Minaa osamahatem Kharouba magdy.hasan

    A few notes:

    • In 2016-2017, I was targeting ratings 1600-1900. Most of the mentioned guys are not active with me now.

    • 2018 guys are more luckier than previous ones, as I keep using feedback to improve my problem selection process. Also, I am now more aware of better problems and their levels/categories.

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      6 years ago, # ^ |
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      Can you deal please with those guys who have rating 1000 or more? I think it would be great for all the beginner programmers. :)

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        6 years ago, # ^ |
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        I did that with some guys and finished the sheet linked above (https://goo.gl/unDETI) based on several iterations of feedback. At the moment, all guys who are not good in Div2-D level can smoothly proceed in the sheet by themselves and do GREAT. So have some self-confidence and proceed and you will do well. In 2019, I will enhance this sheet with several problems in Div2-E level.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +29 Vote: I do not like it

    I was (obviously) outside of the rating ranges asked by mr. mostafa, but I was accepted into the supervision and spent around 15 — 20 hours a week in the beginning. I've been not so active for the last months due to my summer internship which consumed most of my time, but I'm coming back.

    I did around 70 problems in two-three months (before the summer) and most of them (65) where extremely interesting and enhanced my skills. The other 5 where boring, rare topics (ADA* or stuff like that, which is still useful). Mr. mostafa's puts a lot of attention in your progress, if you submit a problem he looks into it as soon as he can, 2 hours tops. As he says in the statement, he won't be teaching you a topic, but as soon as you ask he redirects you to a source where you can learn it and some example problem.

    I'm sure I'm not the best one from the 2018 supervision, but since I started (April I think?) I got a small and constant progress in my skills (you can see it in my rating) and I have performed better at ICPC competitions.

    He also pays a lot of attention to our comments for every problem, we are asked to provide a handful of data for every one and I've seen that based on which problems I could and couldn't solve, he chooses the best ones to follow up and the difficulty of them increases in a way that you don't even notice you are getting better.

    Would recommend 10/10

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    xuanquang1999

    I had my best results during that period of training, and would recommend it to everyone.

    This training is not “one training fits all” kind of thinking. Each one gets kind of his own customized levels. I was mainly active during 2016-2017 ( 2018 busy with other things than CP), during that period, I never felt problems were easy or too hard. They were mostly in a happy medium. Let me give you some context, it is really rare to solve a complete block (A block in this training means like 10-20 problems) without help, and also really rare to be unable to solve a problem with editorial.

    If you have specific questions, feel free to PM me/post here, and I will answer you honestly. :)

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

    Both me and my friend Bashca started almost at the same time with Mr. Mostafa and the first thing we noticed and fascinated us was the customized perspective of the training.

    Up until now, I've had a few months with him and almost every problem he set to me was a new way to use the topics I already knew or had me learning a new one. At first the problems are warm ups and while we go further and further one notices that the level just increases at a good pace.

    I think that not only the variety of topics I know has increased but also my intuition to solve problems :D Also reminded me not to be afraid of hard problems and that it's not a shame to think problems for days. Would really recommend you to join.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +18 Vote: I do not like it

    Yeah, I love problems block structure, I think that I do have best performance in my old topics studied, I would recommend 100%

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +23 Vote: I do not like it

    I also registered but I am little irregular. I love the way problems are chosen. They try to push you into discomfort zone not very far so that problems are challenging and you can solve it after thinking sometime but not immediately. The above thing is true for 75% questions whereas rest fall into comfort zone or very far from comfort zone.but for me 75% good ones is very happy.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    I participated in this supervision for quite some time now, Dr mostafa is putting so much effort for this training, he is keeping track of each of his trainees progress to identify his weakness and assign problems according to that. He also make us record statistics about how we solve the problems and he analyze it and tell you if there's a problem with some specific behavior during solving.
    I highly recommend his supervision, at least give it a shot and see for yourself.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
    ← Rev. 3   Vote: I like it +11 Vote: I do not like it

    The supervision was very helpful and it was well organized. The problems were selected carefully to meet my level and what is the best (for me) to learn next. It was targeting learning new topics and solidifying what previously learnt.

    The supervision is so intensive that requires a very serious participants. It based on a discipline monitor approach that developed by Dr. Mostafa Saad; its simply recording everything in your progress starting from opening the problem until you get it AC. That helped me a lot to keep track my progress, know weakness points and get out the best from my practice.

    I totally recommend this supervision. It was for sure the turning point in my CP journey.

    Far away from CP world, Dr Mostafa Saad is one of the best personalities I have dealing with, he loves volunteering so much and do much effort to improve the community.

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    6 years ago, # ^ |
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    I think the period of time I spent in supervision has probably been the most productive out of all the time I've spent training in CP. The problems that he gives mostly train the thinking process, if it wasn't assigned for the purpose of learning a new topic. I found that he is very good at estimating difficulty; there aren't many problems that I cannot solve and those that were too easy. Most of them were just right, needing a hint or two to for me to be able to solve.

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5 years ago, # |
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is it still useful to follow this sheet?

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    5 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +20 Vote: I do not like it

    Yes

    • I usually advise newcomers who know to program to start with it
    • It supports 2 training styles
    • 1) Topic-based. Just get problems on a specific topic, sorted from easy to hard
    • 2) Blind order. Complete roadmaps with problems to solve and topics to learn in a given order. Problems from Div2-A to Div2-D + other online OJs
    • The sheet is gradual from easy to hard
    • Most of the problems are marked as good/interesting by several trainees
    • After completing the sheet, one can start practice on Div2-E
    • More notes in the info page in the sheet: https://goo.gl/unDETI
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      5 years ago, # ^ |
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      what can i do if i can't solve one of this problems ,Are there solutions for this or a coach directing me? thanks alot for your help.

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        5 years ago, # ^ |
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        if u can't get from the editorial, just skip it. Try it later, say after 3 months.

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5 years ago, # |
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Does finishing the beginner training make a candidate qualify to apply for your coaching?

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +15 Vote: I do not like it

I wanna talk about my experience in this supervision. I got accepted when I was still a Specialist even though the rating lower bound back then was around 1700. That's because he said he can accept lower leveled applicants if they have good enough knowledge.

In fact, that was one of my big problems in practice back then. I had way too much theoretical knowledge compared to my rating; I had unnecessarily studied a lot of data structures and algorithms that I didn't need to, expecting to improve with every new thing. And as you all know, it doesn't work like that.

Anyways, I got accepted and I liked it instantly! The problems were awesome, the difficulty was on point and they were interesting and diverse from CF, HackerRank, TopCoder to UVa. It was overwhelming at first because I came across a lot of new stuff(by stuff I mean tricks and approaches — not data structures and algorithms) and that is because as you remember, my theoretical knowledge is way more than my actual CP level.

As time went by I enjoyed it a lot and I felt I was improving a lot very quickly. Then I started getting busy with studies and stuff. Back then he wasn't very decisive about the time dedication rule. Afterwards trainees apparently didn't respect the time schedule enough so he began telling us to write down the number of hours we can practice weekly, and to update it whenever it changes with the reasons behind it. Eventually I myself started to get busier than usual for longer periods because of some personal reasons. I felt like I wasn't respecting him and his efforts enough and so I told him I would leave. (I wouldn't have left if it wasn't for this :D)

To all the trainees out there :) Do your best to respect the time schedule; this is an awesome experience for FREE so the least you can do is respect it.

Finally I wanna talk about what the CP roadmap looks like for most Arab CPers(especially ICPC). Due to the absence of coaches/mentors in most countries(not all), we end up spending a LOT of time not practicing correctly so our RatingGained/Time efficiency ends up being very low. That's why I see such programs as a GOLDEN opportunity for us, you can achieve some progress under a mentor in say, 4 months that you couldn't have made it alone in 2 years if ever.

Thank you for your volunteering activities, the Arabic Competitive Programming youtube channel, and for this great supervision program! You have helped a lot of people achieve a lot! :)

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