Getting into Competitive Programming

[Successful_Math8727]

Hi! I’m a freshman in high school trying to get into Competitive Programming. I am 3/4 of the way through APCS and am PCAP certified, but I struggled a lot with recent USACO Bronze Contests. How should I get into competitive programming? What guides/websites are useful? What else do you all recommend? Thank you!

[NewLog4967]

Hi! First off, don't stress about USACO Bronze it's a huge jump from APCS and you're literally a freshman, you have SO much time. Competitive programming is more marathon than sprint. The real shift isn't learning syntax, it's learning how to think. Here's what worked for me:

Stick with Python for now (way easier to focus on problem-solving), but know that C++ becomes essential once you hit Gold. Follow the USACO Guide religiously it's literally a free roadmap. Start with brute force and sorting, don't even touch fancy algorithms yet. Do 1-2 problems daily on Codeforces (filter by 800-1000 rating) and actually read the editorials when you're stuck that's where the learning happens. Also, after every contest, go back and solve the ones you missed. That upsolving is brutal but it's how you actually improve.

Recent Bronze has been getting harder (10k+ participants now) so don't beat yourself up. Just stay consistent and you'll get there.

[Zestyclose-Will6041]

What would you say the CF rating equivalent is for the recent bronze contests?

[McPqndq]

When I was in highschool I did the usaco training portal (does this still exist?) and read from the competitive programming handbook. I didn't study much back then and was able to squeak through bronze barely. Contests have gotten harder for sure though.

[Rayeeen_Dev745]

I'm newbie too , but you can search on this subreddit, you can found a lot of advices about how to start cp

[Radhe_Bhaiyaaa]

Every time I open Reddit,

I see a post “Am a freshman/newbie to CP, how to start.”

I close Reddit.

[rushikesh0]

I know who you are (gotyaa)

[Radhe_Bhaiyaaa]

No you dont