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Updates, explainers and preparation notes for the USA Computing Olympiad — organized for students and families who want the important signal without the noise.

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  • Choosing a CS Competition: USACO, IOI, CCC and More

    Choosing a CS Competition: USACO, IOI, CCC and More

    Computer science has become one of the most popular academic pathways, and international computing competitions are a common way for students to demonstrate technical ability. For applicants interested in computer science, algorithms and artificial intelligence, these competitions offer a concrete way to show programming and problem-solving skills that go beyond the standard curriculum. Six Recommended…

  • USACO Divisions Explained: Bronze to Platinum Difficulty

    USACO Divisions Explained: Bronze to Platinum Difficulty

    USACO (the USA Computing Olympiad) is a well-known online programming competition. The top finishers in the United States form the four-person team that represents the country at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), and its online contests and training materials are open to students worldwide. USACO uses a four-division structure — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and…

  • USACO Explained: Divisions, Format, and How to Prepare

    USACO Explained: Divisions, Format, and How to Prepare

    USACO, the USA Computing Olympiad, is a well-known high-school computing competition in the United States, and it is the pathway through which the USA selects its team for the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). This guide explains what USACO is, how its four divisions work, and how to prepare at each level, whether you are…

  • USACO Explained: Divisions, Rules, and How to Prepare

    USACO Explained: Divisions, Rules, and How to Prepare

    USACO — the USA Computing Olympiad — is the contest used to select the United States team for the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). It is also a well-regarded route for middle and high school students worldwide who want to build a serious foundation in computer science. USACO runs four progressive divisions, from Bronze to…

  • USACO Explained: Divisions, Scoring, and Contest Format

    USACO Explained: Divisions, Scoring, and Contest Format

    USACO is one of the most widely recognized programming competitions for pre-college students, and its popularity has grown steadily. It is often on the radar of students who are interested in computer science and are aiming for competitive university programs. With a low barrier to entry and a clear, score-based division system, USACO gives students…

  • USACO Explained: Format, Divisions, and 2025-26 Schedule

    USACO Explained: Format, Divisions, and 2025-26 Schedule

    1. What Is USACO? USACO, the USA Computing Olympiad, is an online programming competition for pre-college students. Founded in 1992, it is one of the longer-running informatics contests in North America, and it is best known as the pathway that selects the United States team for the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). USACO is held…

  • 2019 USACO Silver US Open Contest Problems

    2019 USACO Silver US Open Contest Problems

    Official problem statements for this contest (PDF): Problem 1. Left Out — PDF Problem 2. Cow Steeplechase II — PDF Problem 3. Fence Planning — PDF New here? See how to practise with past contests, or browse the full official archive on usaco.org.

  • 2019 USACO Platinum US Open Contest Problems

    2019 USACO Platinum US Open Contest Problems

    Official problem statements for this contest (PDF): Problem 1. Tree Boxes — PDF Problem 2. Compound Escape — PDF Problem 3. Valleys — PDF New here? See how to practise with past contests, or browse the full official archive on usaco.org.

  • 2019 USACO Gold US Open Contest Problems

    2019 USACO Gold US Open Contest Problems

    Official problem statements for this contest (PDF): Problem 1. Snakes — PDF Problem 2. I Would Walk 500 Miles — PDF Problem 3. Balancing Inversions — PDF New here? See how to practise with past contests, or browse the full official archive on usaco.org.

  • 2019 USACO Bronze US Open Contest Problems

    2019 USACO Bronze US Open Contest Problems

    Official problem statements for this contest (PDF): Problem 1. Bucket Brigade — PDF Problem 2. Milk Factory — PDF Problem 3. Cow Evolution — PDF New here? See how to practise with past contests, or browse the full official archive on usaco.org.