I have participated in four div 1 only contests, and every time ends up in very big negative data. First time, I thought it is just coincidence, but 4 times, every time I lost big, then in the contest 796 , I do an experiment.
The score distribution: div1: 500, 750, 1500, 1500, 2000, 3000 div2: 500, 750, 1250, 1500, 2000, 3000
ABC in div1 corresponds to DEF in div2. According to each problems accepted users, the difficulty ranking of each problem is div2A <= div2B << div1A < div2C < div1B << div1C << div1D..... More difficult a problem is, more time a user expect to spend.
Assume a user takes part in div 2 contest and solve 5 problems, and finish each problems in time 0:05, 0:10, 0:40, 1:00, 1:50, with no wrong submissions. His score, according to the rule should be 490+720+1050+1140+1120 = 4520, he will rank 93 in this contest, and his performance rating is 2147 according to the rating predictor.
Then, this user takes part in div 1 contest, since div1C is very hard, and he is not able to solve it. He will solve only two problems, with time 0:20, 1:10 (each subtract 40 minutes), and his score will be 460+540=1000, and his ranking is over 550, with performance rating less than 1900.
That means, if his current rating is 1899 and participate div2, he will gain big rating (about +60), however, if his rating is 1900 and participates div 1, he will lose rating and go back to expert.
I would like to ask if you all have the same feeling, that is, it is harder to gain rating in div1 only contest?