GeeksforGeeks Journey of Winning a Top 10 Rank in Weekly Coding Contest

Competing in coding contests is a thrilling way to sharpen problem-solving skills, enhance algorithmic thinking, and stand out in the programming community. w3wiki (GFG), renowned for its vast repository of coding resources and community-driven content, hosts weekly coding contests that attract coders from around the globe. Achieving a top 10 rank in one of these contests is no small feat. Here’s how I managed to do it, along with some tips and strategies that could help you achieve similar success.

The journey to the top 10 began long before the contest itself. Building a strong foundation in data structures and algorithms (DSA) was crucial. I dedicated a significant amount of time to studying and practising key topics, including:

• Arrays and Strings: Basics that often form the foundation of many problems.
• Linked Lists: Understanding operations and manipulations.
• Stacks and Queues: Crucial for problems involving order and sequence.
• Trees and Graphs: Essential for hierarchical and networked data problems.
• Dynamic Programming: For optimization and solving complex problems efficiently.
• Greedy Algorithms: Useful for making locally optimal choices.

Resources like GFG’s tutorials, problem sets, and coding practice sections were instrumental. I also solved problems on other platforms such as LeetCode and HackerRank to diversify my practice.

Consistency is key when preparing for coding contests. I made it a habit to solve at least one problem every day. This routine helped in maintain a steady rhythm and kept my problem-solving skills sharp.

Additionally, I diversified my practice by tackling problems of varying difficulty levels. This included:

• Easy problems: To warm up and ensure I had a firm grasp of basic concepts.
• Medium problems: To challenge my understanding and apply concepts in slightly more complex scenarios.
• Hard problems: To push my limits and develop advanced problem-solving strategies.

Participating in mock contests and previous GFG contests also provided valuable insights into the contest environment and time management.

When the day of the contest arrived, I followed a well-thought-out strategy to maximize my performance:

• Reading the Problems: I carefully read through all the problems at the beginning. This helped me gauge the difficulty levels and decide on the order in which to tackle them.

• Starting with Easier Problems: I began with the problems I found easiest. Solving these quickly boosted my confidence and secured some early points.

• Time Management: I allocated a specific amount of time to each problem based on its perceived difficulty. If I got stuck on a problem, I moved on to the next one to ensure I made the most of the available time.

• Debugging: I ensured to thoroughly test my solutions with different edge cases to avoid unnecessary penalties from incorrect submissions.

• Staying Calm: Remaining calm and composed throughout the contest was essential. Panicking would only lead to mistakes and wasted time.

After the contest, analyzing my performance was crucial for continuous improvement. I reviewed the problems I couldn’t solve or where I made mistakes, and I learned the correct approaches and solutions. This post-contest analysis helped me identify areas for improvement and refine my strategies for future contests.

Engaging with the GFG community was another significant aspect of my success. Discussing problems, solutions, and strategies with fellow coders provided new perspectives and insights. Participating in forums and study groups also kept me motivated and accountable.

Ranking in the top 10 in a GFG weekly coding contest was a significant milestone in my coding journey. It required dedication, strategic preparation, and effective execution. For those aspiring to achieve similar success, my advice is to build a strong foundation in DSA, practice consistently with a variety of problems, develop a solid content strategy, and engage with the coding community.

Remember, each contest is a learning opportunity. Embrace the challenges, learn from your experiences, and continue to improve. With perseverance and a passion for coding, achieving top ranks in coding contests is within your reach. Happy coding!