Contest Scoring
Here you'll find a description on how teams are ranked during an ICPC contest, including the ACPC regionals:
- Teams are ranked in a descending order according to the number of problems they solve.
- Teams who solve the same number of problems are ranked ascendingly by total time (the score).
- The total time (aka score) is the sum of the time consumed for each problem solved.
- The time consumed for a solved problem is the time elapsed from the beginning of the contest to the submittal of the accepted run; plus 20 penalty minutes for every rejected run (for that same problem.)
- There is no time consumed for a problem that is not solved (even if there are rejected runs for it.)
For example, consider the following team which submitted 6 runs, three for problem A, two for problem B, and one for C.
For each submitted run, the table shows the time of the submission, for which problem, and the judges' response for
that particular run.
| Time | 18 | 24 | 57 | 63 | 81 | 98 | |
| Problem | A | A | B | C | B | A | |
| Judge's Decision | no | no | no | yes | no | yes |
For solving problem C, the time consumed is 63 minutes. For solving problem A, the time consumed is 98 plus 2*20 for the two unsuccessful runs. So the total time for this team 63+98+2*20 = 201. (Notice that no penalties were added for problem B since it wasn't solved correctly.)
Resolving Ties
Teams solving the same number of problems with the same total time are
ranked by the geometric mean of the individual times for each solved problem
(smaller being better) without the penalties.
Any remaining ties are left unbroken unless they affect the regional winner,
in which case they are broken by a coin flip.
(Adopted from the Mid-Central USA Region)
Judges' Decisions
Judges are solely responsible for accepting or rejecting submitted runs.
In consultation with the judges, the Regional Contest Director determines
the winners of the regional contest.
The regional contest director and judges are empowered to adjust
for or adjudicate unforeseen events and conditions.
Their decisions are final.
(The ICPC Regional Rules)