foundLoveOfMyLife's blog

Efficient way to improve my rating?
By foundLoveOfMyLife, 9 years ago, In English

Hello CF,

I have been working on my rating for about 4-5 months very strongly now and all I see is not much change.

Though there was a great jump in last contest but it was not due to solving more problems, it was just because I solved the problems quickly(which does vary in my case , I am slower at mathematical problems).

My approach has been pretty much similar to DFS:

  1. Pick the topic in which you failed.
  2. Solve problems on the topic till 800~ submissions.( It get's out of my comfort zone whenever I start solving problems with <1000 submissions). I am many times unable to solve problems ahead! )
  3. Pick new topic.

Note : There is always a process of up solving going on with all this!

The improvements I think I have achieved are I am always able to deduce something from the problem that I couldn't solve that too in the right direction mostly.

But during the contest many times I fail to solve trivial brute problems too ( Probably with submissions around 600~ — 700~ during the contest ) that is out of my scope sometimes just because I haven't seen similar problems or I just give up in anxiety of contest.

I think I have started doing fine at problems which are from the genre which I have practiced sometimes I am able to solve problems with 500~ submissions in the contest too.

Now the problems I am facing are:

  • De-Motivation as you can see I failed at a DS problem in recent Virtual participation.
  • Dead locks at solving problems in problem set with <800 submissions.
  • Unable to think of perfect or easier solutions to problems such as 631C - Report .
  • Sometimes failing at even C.

I think I have learnt sufficient algorithms to at least solve C problem and D problem every time (due to lower complexity). Algorithms and DS I know are : Fenwick tree , Segment Tree , Graph Theory( except Flow algorithms ) , DP , Greedy ,String Algorithms( except Suffix Structures ), Two Pointer , Binary Search , usage of STLs . I am weak at number theory and math.

I have solved around 800~ problems on various judges.

My aim is probably to be a stable Candidate master ASAP and I am willing to do anything for it. So,

  • What am I doing wrong as I am unable to solve good problems still? What extra things I need to put in?
  • What can be a better approach to increase my knowledge and problem solving skills?
  • What are your suggestions?
  • Should I try practicing on other judges too as I only give contests on them till now?

Though I see most of the problems on 1000~ solutions in problemset are Div2D yet I sometimes fail at Div2C(last virtual contest)!

I think the contest anxiety will subside slowly for sure as there are many rounds on CodeForces.

Given That: I don't really have a coder's circle in my college with whom I can discuss harder problems.

If you want to know some more information about me to suggest something please Go on. This will only help me and probably others too.

Thank You for your time

  • Vote: I like it
  • +70
  • Vote: I do not like it

Comments Comments (31)
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9 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

You should start working on your skills, not on your rating. Your Codeforces rating is useless (in the real world) if it is not backed up by some strong skills.

There isn't a shortcut so you should stop searching for one (4-5 is not a lot of time).

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

    Hello you are correct in all terms. And I am not searching for a shortcut I am searching for a better way to increase my knowledge quickly. By 4-5 Months I meant I am working on my rating for 4-5 months i.e. Solving more Div2D and stuff. I have been working for 1-2 years on programming!

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

This might help: https://www.quora.com/How-can-I-improve-my-rating-on-Codeforces

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9 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +25 Vote: I do not like it

http://contest-wiki.csc.kth.se/index.php/How_to_get_better

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    9 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

    That is indeed a very very nice article. Thank you.

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

    It says page not found.! Can you please update the link.!

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

      How to get better

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

        Thank you.!

        But one thing made me curious. I didn't mention you in this thread nor replied to you.!How did you find my comment?

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          8 years ago, # ^ |
            Vote: I like it +51 Vote: I do not like it

          I've been stalking you.

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

            A Yellow stalking a Green. Highly Unlikely. :D

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              8 years ago, # ^ |
                Vote: I like it +82 Vote: I do not like it

              Oops! I'm colorblind and I thought you were red. Goodbye.

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                3 years ago, # ^ |
                ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

                *

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                    Vote: I like it +3 Vote: I do not like it

                  "This post was published a long time ago. Please refrain from commenting unless you have a really reasonable cause to leave a comment. Necroposting is discouraged by the community."

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                  3 years ago, # ^ |
                  ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

                  I didn't knew that. Thanks for letting me know

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

Here you can train your math skills (there are also books about math).

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9 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -12 Vote: I do not like it

Soni doesn't improve his rating!
Rating improves its Soni.

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

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

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9 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

The trick is not to improve yourself, it is to improve the way you improve yourself. Keep a training journal, always do post-round reviews of your mistakes (write it down) and most importantly do it for a long time.

Notice that 99% people in top 500 got there after a minimum of 2 years. For top 100 I think a minimum is 5-6 years.

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8 years ago, # |
← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +33 Vote: I do not like it

Bump! =)
Achievement unlocked = New Color!
Stability factor left!
Thanks :D

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +30 Vote: I do not like it

    Congratulations .. :)

    I Think Now You Should Write, How You Unlocked It :) ..

    It Will Be Very HelpFul ..

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      8 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +57 Vote: I do not like it

      Okay , well there is no secret. You cannot do anything much about rating, thinking about it merely won't really make you better.

      <You can skip this para , it is not very useful>
      The only thing I did was I took everything that bugged me and solved problems on that topic monotonously. I was pretty weak at implementations of some type of typical tasks I improved on that . The major differences I feel are I am very much familiar to discrete functions their points of maxima , number of maximas/minimas , Proving something on graphs quickly , having experience on some special types of graphs . I have also improved on guessing skills . Most of the times for easier problems I guess the solution directly or think of totally bruting the solution rather than thinking of a better solution(If it strikes thats good else I won't waste time thinking of a good solution) . I have also improved thinking of whether the problem is easy or very hard. I mean sometimes the problem looks very hard but I change my mindset as it is a Div2 B it shouldn't be that hard so I think of some escape methods or hidden data in the problem..


      This is a lot of text which is of no use! You will gain nothing from it. Just because these are the things which strike to me during the contest. I don't really write them down anywhere or go through this stuff. Problem solving does not have an algorithm IMO.

      Now the thing comes up to what can you do?

      Essentials

      • Don't give up , keep coding enjoy the path you are on. I love my past I loved some problems the way I solved them gave me joy , gave me confidence , gave me some memorable time.
      • Solve contests on multiple judges , not only this gives you a wider range it makes your mind work nicely. I have even solved some probability problems on a mathematical site (I am very weak at maths).
      • Believe it will happen one day and doing this stuff is not really very hard.
      • Learn and respect others whenever your friend solves a problem ask him for help or ask on Codeforces( But ask nice Questions like how do I do this ? Give an algorithm! The implementation part is yours dude!)
      • Though I have started this now , but whenever I learn a topic from some blog or source I do some examples on copy. I never see example problems I take out their solutions on my own and trust me this increases the speed to understand and implement as well as understanding.
      • Start proving your solutions .
      • Understand it won't happen in one day. It might take months ,years .
      • Keep solving the things you feel you are weak at. Initially you might feel like you are weak at everything. But if you eliminate one thing each week you will eliminate 365 / 7 weak topics in one year.
      • I think you just need to work hard and start solving! You will figure out the way that is perfect for yourself all by yourself and it will work like heaven for you.

      Advised

      • It is advisable to train with good friends just because whenever you feel depressed you can compare with them and know that everything is fine the problems were hard or problems weren't hard , why was I stuck on it ?
      • Good to take some courses such as discrete mathematics and stuff.
      • Have someone with whom you can discuss your algorithmically wrong solutions(Mentor or someone). I never had anyone who helped except CodeForces.
      • Understand that CP is such a thing which will never have well defined rules to define a problem(bad statements) , define a syllabus(You can get a hard Maths problem) or anything like that. Just because it is done out of interest.

      I think this didn't happened all of a sudden this was happening all the time I was writing codes.
      I think my comment might have many flaws which will rather change into correct understanding with time :) .

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        8 years ago, # ^ |
        ← Rev. 2   Vote: I like it +53 Vote: I do not like it

        I think from now I should give a link to your comment to all those guys "Help me sir I want to be as good as you but I am stupid and lazy don't know what to do" in PM.

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

          I think those people just want to know about the secret Magic Potion you used to become a Legendary Grand master.

          I will suggest give it to me , I will keep it safe. :D
          No pun intended.

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

        May you please share with online judges on which you solved a lot of problems?)

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    8 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +16 Vote: I do not like it

    My congratulations. May you share with us how you achieved this hard aim? )

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

Thanks ! It really helps !

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4 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -12 Vote: I do not like it

I searched on Google the key word "How to improve rating in Codeforces". And bumpmm...

Congratulation for your candidate master rating! 5 years is a long journey. What was your rating at the time you wrote this post?

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    4 years ago, # ^ |
      Vote: I like it +21 Vote: I do not like it

    Bruh, his last visit is 3 years ago :facepalm:

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      4 years ago, # ^ |
        Vote: I like it +2 Vote: I do not like it

      Oh. Good for him. He may fulfill on this life aspect and target to another destination.

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3 years ago, # |
  Vote: I like it -10 Vote: I do not like it

press F12

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16 months ago, # |
  Vote: I like it 0 Vote: I do not like it

useful , tnx ;D

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