I've joined Codeforces 4 months ago. The first goal I set for myself is becoming a blue coder. But after I've taken part in some contests I found it's not so easy. I've taken part in 9 contests and my current rating is 1363. In Div.2 contests I can averagely solve 2 problem. But I sometimes haven't got any ideas for problem C! And when I'm analyasing how some of my friends (tzc_wk, i_wanna_bao0_pj) became blue, I found that they have one thing in common: they all have the ability to solve Div.2C. So it seems that to become blue I should have the ability to solve Div.2C. But what problems should I do? With what level of difficulty? What kind of algorithm? Greedy, graphs, DP, math or something else? I'm really confused.
The problems you manage to solve in-contest tend to be a step down in difficulty from the hardest problems you solve in practice.
Is the implication that it's better to practice on Ds in order to solve Cs in-contest? Or just that you should be realistic that if the hardest problems you're solving in practice are Cs then you will not be guaranteed to solve them in-contest?
Nowadays I am solving only D problems from A2oj.So just asking is it more beneficial than solving in a particular rating range?
I think both things are true. Harder problems teach you new perspectives and force deeper understanding which later lets you kill easy problems quickly.
look. try to open, say 250 div2 contest and start solving from there every C problem. 592 — 250 and you have 342 C already solved problems. But first, read this shit
Bad advice. As saketh said above solve D-E in practice to solve C in contest.
What helped me come out of Div2 A and B was learning new things.
I learned dfs, bfs, and solved a lot of greedy problems. I learned very frequently used data structures such as segment trees. I solved some good problems on binary search. Learned a bit about primes as well.
I guess this was enough for me to solve Div2 C, and sometimes Div2 D as well.
Obviously, solving good(higher in rating) problems in practice helps.
Read this. https://mirror.codeforces.com/blog/entry/69100
Also, there is no easy way to become blue. I do CP about 2 years and still blue
But just recently you became master congratulationsss
:O is it the lockdown training XD
Thanks. Now I can say that there is no easy way to become master :D
Does an Algorithms course help more than 200/300 problems from the MOSTAFA junior sheet?
I don't know what MOSTAFA means
good for you!
https://mirror.codeforces.com/blog/entry/65133 this one? basically doing lot's of problems vs algorithms course
i choose lots of problems!!!! I really like these problems and i used to do many hard problems daily but my exams are going on and i m also preparing for a civil service exam so i don't have enough time now.but i really want to become atleast candidate master before sept!!
Wow!
Thanks and also, All the best!
btw do we have coding positions in UPSC or it's for your passion?
na na there is no such position i just like it!! (addicted)
Solve +1500 difficulty problems ( In my opinion ) and start learning more advanced DS and algorithms
But ... But ... why doesn't it seem to be working (at least in your case)?
I analyzed your profile using Codeforces Visualizer and Code Drills it seems you haven't really solved much C problems.
Use this link to solve codeforces C problems sorted by difficulty and trust me you will start seeing improvements after solving about 50 problems, I am also using it and I solve a minimum of 3 div2 C problems every day (sometimes try practicing div2 D problems too).
I have started noticing improvements too, matter of fact I just became 4 stars on codechef and I know it isn't much of an achievement but I'm proud of it :) all thanks to these div2 C problems I solve every day, it's the only form of practice I've been doing for a month now.
Also, try solving A and B as fast as possible during contests, it gives you time to think about the C problem and sometimes it puts you in a good rank already during the contest.
EDIT: Try disabling tags too, it helps.
PS: We can practice together if you don't mind :)
Well, it seems that more and more people are able to solve div 2 problem C (in contest) nowadays. So even you can solve problem C in contest, unless you can do it very fast (within first 20 to 30 minutes, that's not likely to get you in a very good rank.
It will at least get you to the rank of specialist, which would still be an improvement for the OP.
D is the new C as no longer we get 5-problemset format contests.
Solve problem D with DP or graphs
To become true blue, you have to solve Div.2D consistently:)
I couldn't figure out today's Div2C :/ I guess sometimes D and E are more doable than C (i.e. if you are stuck on C, it shouldn't hurt to look at later problems).
JasonKouyl Since you are blue now, please share your journey.
Just do more problems D and E. :)
And please tell for B also. Does solving C help in solving B in contests
Yes, it also works.
Hi here I have a question about my future.
I've been in OI for nearly 3 years but the result of OI isn't very good. And I can only get in No.3000 — 6000 in CF rounds(See my another abandoned account Eason_AC). What should I do for the future? I feel very confused about my future now. :(
Practice regularly by solving problems of slightly higher difficulty than your rating. Learn to analyze time complexity and the big-O notation.
You're blue now!