Author: Samik Goyal
It is funny to me to write a blog with this title. If you were sent a link to this, please assume that the sender did not mean to be rude. Rather, they wanted to save their and your time.
Questions are grouped by topic. Feel free to ask unanswered questions in the comments.
Informatics Olympiad
Q: When did you start preparing for this?
A: I started preparing seriously for the Olympiad in June of 10th grade. As a side note, asking questions like these is a waste of your time.
Q: What is the IOI / how does the selection process work in India?
A: Look at the blog I have already written about this.
Q: How do I start competitive programming?
A: Learn programming first (in C++/Java/Python). Then learn DSA.
Q: Which resources or judges did you use?
A: I almost exclusively used the book Competitive Programmer’s Handbook and CSES to learn algorithms. For practise I did mock competitions of other countries’ Olympiads. I used Singapore’s NOI for INOI prep, and JOISC for IOI prep.
Q: How many hours a day did you practice?
A: Around 3 for INOI. Around 5 for IOI. I did not practise everyday however (max workload of 25-30 hours per week). I believe in working high intensity for few hours.
Q: What rating do I need on CodeForces to make the IOI team?
A: CodeForces rating does not correspond well to Olympiad skill. This question does not have a good answer.
Q: Can you mentor me / look at my code / be my coach?
A: No, join SPOI and ask questions over there.
Q: Did you do Olympiads instead of studying for boards?
A: Yes.
AI Olympiad
Q: What is the IOAI and how is it different from the IOI?
A: IOAI is fundamentally very different than IOI. It is much easier. Moreover, it is a new Olympiad so analysing it can give you a big edge.
Q: How do I prepare for the AI Olympiad when it’s so new?
A: That, in my opinion, is part of the fun. Because there are few resources, no one knows how to prepare. This means that it is easy to use analysis to gain edge. Personally, I am not active in the OAI community, but there has been an initiative similar to SPOI called SOTA for IOAI in India.
Research
Q: How did you get into research this early / as a high schooler?
A: I had a mentor. Moreover, the papers I wrote were not super technical.
Q: How do I get into RSI or a research program like it?
A: RSI MIT mostly takes ISEF kids from India. RSI India is much easier to get into. I don’t know what they look for. However, contrary to what information you may find online, I don’t think these programs will help you much in college admissions.
Q: What is SubtaskEval / MM-LDTF about?
A: Read the respective paper.
Q: Will you co-author a paper with me?
A: No.
SPOI & Sadhya
Q: What is SPOI and can I join?
A: Please visit the website.
Q: How did you raise money for SPOI?
A: Redacted.
Q: Can you help me start something similar?
A: If you need some advice, feel free to contact me. Repeated pings/messages will cause you to get blocked though.
Academics & Tests
Q: How did you get a 1600 on the SAT?
A: My English was pretty good. I practised from the College Board SAT Question Bank. I did all the hard rated English and Math problems. I used no other resources.
Q: How many APs did you take and how did you self-study them?
A: I took 5 APs (got 5/5 on all of them) and self studied for them in different ways:
- AP Calculus BC: used Khan Academy.
- AP CSA: watched some short one-shots on YouTube.
- AP Phys C Mech: used the book by Princeton Review.
- AP Phys C Elec: used the book by Princeton Review.
- AP Chem: used the Ultimate Review Packet by Jeremy Krug.
I personally found both the book for physics and URP for chemistry super helpful. Note that these were paid though.
The “how do you do it all” genre
Q: How do you balance Olympiads, research, initiatives, and school?
A: It is actually not that difficult. In fact, I probably work/study way less than the average student. Not preparing for JEE/boards frees up a lot of time.
Q: How are you productive / what’s your routine?
A: I don’t have one. I usually just work for approximately 4-5 hours after waking up, then go to the gym/cycle. I prefer to not spend a lot of time working/studying. I would rather analyse and optimise myself.
Q: No way you got an IOI medal/XYZ achievement with such little work.
A: Analysis can do wonders.
Q: Aren’t you burnt out?
A: I believe very firmly in the importance of rest. In my opinion, intellectual prep must be treated like physical prep. The rest is as important to the body as the exercise. In line with this, I never work past 7-8 PM and take 1 rest day every week. I also sleep a good 8-10 hours per day.
Q: What are you applying to / where are you going for college?
A: Look at the blog I have already written about this.
