Rules

1. Teams are required to provide their own hardware. Each team will be required to bring at least one (1) computer, but may also bring a second computer if they desire to work on more than one problem at a time. A printer is allowed, but not required. Teams can setup their hardware from 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM. You should bring a power strip and small extension cord to help organize your computing equipment. We will have one outlet per team available.
2. There is a maximum of four (4) students, two computers and one printer per team. If we have a power problem, teams will be required to go to one computer. We suggest you bring laptop computers if possible.
3. The contest will officially run from 9:00 AM until 12:00 PM. A group of problems will be given to solve in this time period. They can be solved in any programming language, however the problems are written to be solved in C++ and Java. Basic programmers may ask for changes in input format to compensate for any language features found in C++ and Java not found in Basic.
4. Advisors will NOT be allowed to help (or hinder) teams during the contest. All questions will be answered by ACM judges. Teams cannot convey ideas to other teams during the contest. Teams may ask for a clarification of any problem from the judges. We will have an observation area for advisors who wish to watch some or the entire contest. All our decisions are final.
5. Reference manuals are allowed for teams, but not textbooks. NO previously written student code can be used in programs. If previously written code is detected by a judge, the offending team will be disqualified. Tools provided by the language used by each team will be allowed. The STL may be used by C++ programmers. All standard Java language classes are allowed.
6. Problem booklets will be distributed to the teams just before the contest starts. The teams are not to open the booklets until instructed to do so. Teams may attempt the problems in any order. Teams may work on more than one problem at a time.
7. When a team completes a program, one member must raise his/her hand and wait for a judge to come over to the team’s table. The judge will then mark down the current time and execute the program with hidden sample data. If the program is correct, the judge will award credit for the program and the time it was completed. If the program was not correct, the team may attempt to fix the error and resubmit the program. Judges have the right to examine code and “look over the shoulder” of teams as they work. Judges will make multiple runs of the programs with different sample data.
8. Judges will test any program completed by 12:00 PM. The testing may run past 12:00 PM, however all programs and testing must be completed by 12:15 PM to be accepted by the judges.
9. Scoring is as follows: the winner will be determined by whichever team completes the most problems in the given time. Ties will be broken by determining which team finished the last correct solution first. For example, if two teams complete six problems, the team that finishes their sixth problem first will win.
10. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams. Schools will normally be able to win at most one major prize. If your school has teams finishing first and second you will be allowed to pick one prize and the school with the third place team will pick the next prize. Of course, the contest chair's decisions are final.
11. Have FUN! We have enjoyed this contest as much as the participating schools.