Competitive Programming
“Duels of logic. Sharpen the wand, race the clock.” Read the scoring rubric and rules scroll in full below.
Welcome to the **HexaFalls Competitive Programming** challenge! Scoring is completely transparent, automated, and rule-based via the **HackerRank** engine. We value every participant — taking part and solving problems is an achievement in itself.
Total Prize Pool
Awarded to the top logical minds in the Competitive Programming arena.
01. Format at a Glance
HackerRank private contest (invite-only link shared at round start).
ICPC-style timed contest, run on-site in a supervised and invigilated computer lab.
Lab machine internet disabled. Only hackerRank.com and offline standard library docs are reachable.
180 minutes (3 hours) fixed.
4 problems total (3 easy-to-medium, 1 hard difficulty spike). Naive solutions on the hard problem trigger TLE.
C, C++, Java, and Python. All other languages are disabled.
02. How Scoring Works
Primary Score: Problems Solved
Ranking is driven first and foremost by the number of problems **Accepted (AC)**. Solving more problems is always better, regardless of penalty time. The contest uses binary (all-or-nothing) mode — a submission must pass every single test case to be counted as Accepted. There is no partial credit.
Tie-Break: Penalty Time
When contestants solve the same number of problems, the one with the lower total penalty time ranks higher. Penalty time is cumulative over solved problems only, calculated as:
*Note: Problems that are never solved add zero penalty. Attempt freely! Only incorrect submissions on problems you eventually solve add to your penalty time.
03. Ranking Order & Hierarchy
Standings are broken down decisively from top to bottom using the following strict criteria:
| Priority | Criterion | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Problems solved | Higher wins |
| 2 | Total penalty time | Lower wins |
| 3 | Time of the last Accepted submission | Earlier wins |
| 4 | Fewer total rejected submissions | Fewer wins |
| 5 | Judges' decision | Final |
04. HackerRank Verdicts & Penalties
| HackerRank Verdict | Penalty (on later-solved problem) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted (AC) | Stops the clock | All test cases passed |
| Wrong Answer (WA) | +20 minutes | Incorrect output on one or more tests |
| Timeout (TLE) | +20 minutes | Exceeded execution time limit |
| Memory Limit (MLE) | +20 minutes | Exceeded memory limit |
| Runtime Error (RTE) | +20 minutes | Crashed during execution |
| Compilation Error (CE) | No penalty | Code did not compile |
*Note: The HackerRank leaderboard will be completely frozen during the last 30 minutes of the contest. Final standings will be revealed after the contest ends.
05. Fair-Play Rules
Contest integrity is absolutely non-negotiable. Violations result in immediate disqualification.
✔ Permitted
- Your own pre-written templates or personal code library, brought strictly on paper.
- Offline language and standard-library documentation provided on the contest machines.
- HackerRank's built-in "Run Code" (custom test input) and "Submit Code" buttons.
✖ Not Permitted
- Sharing code, solutions, hints, or copying from another contestant or external source.
- Accessing AI assistants (ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Gemini) or searching for problem statements online.
- Bringing unauthorized devices, storage media, or phones to the contest machines.
- Using multiple HackerRank accounts, substitute participants, or impersonating others.
- Attacking, overloading, or attempting to exploit the HackerRank judge system.
*All submissions will be automatically analyzed for similarity using HackerRank's built-in plagiarism tools and MOSS. If you are unsure whether an action is allowed, ask a staff member before acting.
06. Participant Recognition & Inclusion
- ✦Beginners Welcome: Newcomers are highly encouraged to take part. Solving even a single problem is a genuine, recognized milestone.
- ✦Best Newcomer Award: A special recognition will be awarded to the standout first-time contestant.
- ✦Post-Contest Learning: Editorials and complete solutions will be shared after the event concludes so everyone leaves having learned, regardless of final rank.