USACO (USA Computing Olympiad)
Overview:
A highly respected online programming competition for middle and high school students worldwide. It is the U.S. national pathway to the IOI.
Divisions:
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Bronze – beginner level
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Silver – intermediate
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Gold – advanced
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Platinum – elite (pre-IOI level)
Language Support:
C++, Java, Python (limited for upper divisions).
Schedule:
Four contests per year (Dec, Jan, Feb, March).
Highlights:
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Fully online and auto-graded.
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Great for self-paced learning and progression.
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Strong emphasis on problem-solving and algorithmic thinking.