Computer Science is the bedrock of the modern world, driving innovation and shaping nearly every aspect of our lives. From the algorithms that connect us globally to the artificial intelligence transforming industries, its principles empower us to solve complex problems and build the future. The International Computer Science Competition offers students a platform to challenge their critical and logical thinking, explore diverse CS concepts, and delve deeper into this exciting discipline beyond the standard school curriculum.

Internationality, Digital Accessibility, Exploration of Theory and Practice, Real-World Research, Adjusted Difficulty, Online Tools for Teachers, Supportive Alumni Network, and more. All details are available here: About ICSC

Yes, of course!

Everyone has to submit their own solution papers in all rounds. However, for the Qualification Round, you are allowed to work on the problems with your friends and classmates together. Working together or receiving help from other people is not permitted in the Pre-Final and Final Round. You can find more about rules and cheating policy here: Cheating Policy

Since ICSC is launching its first edition this year, we do not yet have past training problems. However, we have compiled example problems & solutions and further external training resources. You can find them here: Training Problems

You can learn more here: Training Problems

Yes, all of your ICSC certificates have verification IDs. This enables others to verify the authenticity of the certificates and documents: Verification page

Comparing the International Computer Science Competition to other science competitions can be misleading: ICSC does not intend to be an alternative to established competitions (e.g., IOI or USACO) or its national variations and actively encourages students to take part in such opportunities.

Instead, ICSC serves as a supplementary program designed to engage a wide range of students, particularly those just beginning to develop an interest in scientific subjects. It focuses on accessibility, making it a platform for students of all skill levels to explore and grow their fascination with science.

Learn more on this page: About ICSC

The International Computer Science Competition is an independent educational competition. More information about the history, organization, and funding is available here: About ICSC

Such an international competition has several expenses, including human resources, technical infrastructure, materials, and much more. The costs are covered by sponsors and partners as well as through the participants via the pre-final registration costs: More Information

The International Computer Science Competition takes place primarily online and is accessible to students around the world; you do not need to travel somewhere to participate. The organizing team is constantly evolving, with most team members and technical infrastructure being located in Germany. There are also many other people around the world, such as the ICSC ambassadors, who do their best to make this competition a valuable experience. More information and contact details are available here: Contact Information

The training page gives tips, book recommendations, and a comprehensive collection of problems: Training and Preparation. Additional resources and links related to computer science are available here: Resources and Links. This also includes the following: Videos, Lecture Notes, Presentations, and Infographics. We also provide a list of special resources for teachers and educators: Teaching.

The solutions are usually published on our training page a few weeks after the Final Round of the last edition has concluded. You can find the training page here: Training Problems

All current high school and university students are allowed to participate. However, there are different age groups: Age Groups

Yes.

Your grade/age on the day of the submission deadline of the Qualification Round (i.e., 13 July 2026) determines your age group, and it will not change throughout the competition.

Students from both categories will receive the same problems in all rounds; however, students from higher age groups will have to reach more points: More Information

Yes, you have to be a student in a high school or a university to participate. If you are currently between high school and university (e.g., gap year) and plan to start university any time soon, you are also eligible to participate.

Current high school and university students from all grades and countries are eligible to participate in three groups:

• Junior: 10th Grade and below (and < 16 years of age)
• Youth: 11th to 13th Grade (or ≥ 16 years of age)
• Senior: 1st Year College/University and higher (or ≥ 19 years of age)

Students from all age groups will receive the same problems in all rounds. However, students in higher groups need to score more points to qualify for the next round: More Information

The prizes and awards are worth upwards of 1000 USD (including cash prizes, awards, and certificates): All Awards and Prizes

Yes, we will send participation certificates (soft copy) to all participants regardless of the results.

You can find more information about the awards and prizes here: All Awards and Prizes

Participants whose submissions go significantly beyond expectations may qualify for a Special Honour for Outstanding Submission. This could include particularly creative or highly efficient solutions, or submissions prepared using professional typesetting tools (e.g., TeX). Participants of this honour receive a special mention on their certificates

Since the International Computer Science Competition is a global competition with participants from various countries, we honour the best students from each participating nation with a special national award certificate

We will send all results & certificates via e-mail, and they are accessible through your participant account: Login

No, all participants (regardless of the results) receive certificates.

We will send hard copies of the certificates to all 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prize winners. All other participants, including the Finalists, will receive a soft copy version of the certificates, which also includes a permanent verification-ID (icscompetition.org/verify).

Yes, we understand the crucial role of teachers and schools for education. Because of that, we award three school awards to honour the efforts of the teachers and the school (the awards are not connected to a cash prize): Teacher Information Flyer

Schools participate automatically if a student registers with the school's name. (Please make sure that all of your students write the school name correctly and in the same format.)

Yes, you can find more information here: All Awards and Prizes

Participants that receive at least 50% of the total points in the Final Round are awarded depending on their relative score: Gold, silver, and bronze honours are awarded in the ratios of 1:2:3. Therefore, around 16% and 34% of the participants receive a gold and silver honour, respectively. All other students (with at least 50% of the total points) receive a bronze honour.

You need to submit a single solution document for all problems. Optionally, you can submit a code file (in Python, Java, or C++) for each programming problem to be considered for a special honorary note on your certificate and our efficiency leaderboard.

The solution document should include the solution to all problems of the Qualification Round 2026, including your solution steps. For programming problems, the solution document should also contain a description and explanation of the written program, with inline comments in the actual source code.

No. You can (a) write your answers in the blank space below the questions. However, you can also (b) write your solutions on a separate sheet of paper or (c) type your solution on a computer. In cases (b) and (c), you do not need to write down the wording of the problems again.

Please write down your approach and the steps you performed (such as mathematical operations).

We accept PDF files and picture files. We do not accept any other formats, including Word and ZIP files.

(1) Check whether your submission was already successful on this page: Login. (2) If your submission/e-mail was not found, use a different browser, use a different computer or laptop, or try to compress your file. (3) If nothing works, please get in touch with us.

No, we do not accept any submissions or solutions that we receive via e-mail. You have to submit your solution via the official submission form: Submission

Some submissions will be deleted during the evaluation process due to one of the following reasons: (1) It was not possible for us to open your file. In this case, you usually receive an e-mail from us. (2) The file was unrelated to ICSC or did not contain any solutions and was thus regarded as spam. (3) The file barely contains any solutions to the problems and was thus regarded as spam, e.g. files that contain only answers to one problem written in a poorly formatted way are usually deleted.

To change your personal information, please use the login page and click on 'Edit Details'. You can no longer change your details after the Pre-Final Round.

While English is the recommended language, you can write your solution in any of the languages in which the ICSC website is available (English, German, Arabic, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Korean)

The time zone is UTC+0 for all deadlines.

The results of the Qualification Round will be announced on Tuesday, 28 July 2026. You will receive an information e-mail and you can view your results online by this date: Login

The submission deadline is Monday, 13 July 2026 23:59 UTC+0.

Yes, until the submission deadline. Please login as a participant and click on 'Edit Details'.

No, we do not accept any submissions or solutions that we receive via e-mail. You have to submit your solution via the official submission form: Submission

Via your participant account: Login

No. You do not need all points to qualify for the next round. The number of points required depends on your age group (Age Groups).

No, you participate in ICSC by submitting your solution.

Your code must be written in either Python (3.9), Java (OpenJDK 11), C, or C++ (GCC 15.1). Therefore, the file format must be .py, .java, .c, or .cpp

No, submitting your code files is optional. Submitted code that successfully executes on our server will receive a special honorary note on the certificate. Particularly efficient solutions with the smallest runtime will be featured on our solution leaderboard.

Your code files must use the provided code skeletons so that your code can be correctly evaluated on our server. Ensure that you do not modify the provided skeleton or the names of the functions defined in it. However, you are allowed to define additional functions/structs, etc., apart from the provided functions.

You can only submit code files for problems that are explicitly highlighted in the programming problems on the problem sheet.

No. Your code must be submitted as a single file in your selected programming language.

No. Unless otherwise specified in the problem, you are only allowed to use standard libraries, modules, and packages that are directly supported by your selected programming language without additional installations.

Format code with proper indentation, meaningful inline comments explaining key logic, and clear separation between functions using blank lines. You can find an example solution here .

No, you can assume all inputs will be within the ranges and constraints specified in the problem statement. You do not need to add error handling, input validation, or try-catch blocks unless explicitly asked to do so in the problem requirements.

No. Your solution document should only include the code that you have written, along with comments that explain its functionality. The main function of the code skeleton does not need to be included in your solution document.

In your Participant Account, you can view the execution status of your submitted code. If your code failed to execute on our server, you will see an error notification explaining the cause (Note: successful submission only means your code ran without errors, not that it passed all test cases or produced correct results).

The Pre-Final Round consists of two phases: (1) Preparation Phase: Starting on Thursday, 20 August 2026, all qualified and registered participants will receive a research paper via email and their participant account. You should read and familiarize yourself with this paper. (2) Exam Phase: Between Saturday, 22 August 2026 and Monday, 24 August 2026, you will take a supervised 60-minute exam via the online exam platform at https://icscompetition.org/exam. The exam includes three problems (one conceptual, one coding, and one research problem). The conceptual and research problems are solved on paper and then scanned and uploaded. The coding problem is solved using the online code editor (Python, Java, C, or C++).

All details are available here: Process & Rounds

Yes, you can participate in the Qualification Round and receive your participation certificate without registering for the Pre-Final Round.

You can find all relevant deadlines here: Timetable and Deadlines

No. You do not need all points to qualify for the Pre-Final Round. The number of points required depends on your age group (Age Groups).

No, a stamp is not required for the Pre-Final Round. Teachers register online at https://icscompetition.org/teacherinfo and do not need to submit any physical forms or stamps. The ICSC team will review and approve or reject the teacher registration within a few days.

No. A teacher must supervise the Pre-Final Round Exam in person. The teacher is not allowed to supervise you via an online call (for example, Zoom or Skype). If you do not have a teacher available, please use the online supervision system instead.

You can find examples here: https://icscompetition.org/docs/ICSC_Photo_Examples.pdf. The photo should show the exam conditions and environment, including the student taking the exam in front of the device and the device screen displaying the exam.

No. You must ensure that there is a steady internet connection during the exam and that your browser is up-to-date. You are responsible for any technical issues. It is not possible to pause, continue, or retake the exam once you have started.

Yes. You have up to 60 minutes to complete the exam, but you may finish earlier if you complete all problems before time runs out.

Yes, you are allowed to bring blank sheets of paper (not more than twenty) and pens (not more than three) to write your solutions during the exam. You should use a new sheet of paper for each problem and write the problem number at the top of every page.

If you do not have a teacher available to supervise your Pre-Final Round Exam, you can use the online supervision system. You will need a computer, laptop, or phone with a webcam (exam device), a second phone with a camera and microphone (supervision phone), and a valid government-issued ID or passport. You will select an exam timeslot, complete the setup and verification steps, and take the exam under online supervision. More details can be found in the Pre-Final Round information document.

Yes, you can take the Pre-Final Round Exam on your phone. However, if you use your phone as your exam device and choose the online supervision option, you will need a second phone for the supervision system. For this reason, we strongly recommend using a laptop or computer for the exam.

After you log in to the Pre-Final Round Exam platform at https://icscompetition.org/exam, an approval code will be displayed on your screen. Your teacher must enter this code into a form that appears in their teacher account to approve and start your exam.

If a teacher supervises multiple students at once and the participants start the exam simultaneously, it is sufficient to enter only a single approval code if all participants arrive at the approval page in the Pre-Final Round Exam platform.

The person supervising your Pre-Final Round Exam must be an active teacher (not retired) employed at a government-accredited school or university. The teacher must currently be an active teacher or professor and must not be related to you (no family members). The teacher must be able to prove their employment and teaching duties.

To qualify for the Final Round, you must score at least 16/20/24 points out of 36 possible points in the Pre-Final Round. The Pre-Final Round consists of three problems: one conceptual problem, one coding problem, and one research problem.

If you have successfully qualified from the Qualification Round and registered for the Pre-Final Round, you can access the exam platform at https://icscompetition.org/exam by logging in with your ICSC participant account credentials during the exam period (between Saturday, 22 August 2026 and Monday, 24 August 2026).

First, inform your supervisor (if using teacher supervision). Take screenshots of the encountered issue if possible, then try to reload the exam page (and log in again if necessary). After the exam, if we detect any time irregularities, you will have the option to explain any technical issues that occurred.

The approval code is used to verify that you are currently being supervised by your teacher. You need to give this code to your teacher so they can enter it into their teacher account to approve and start your exam. After successful verification, the exam will automatically progress to the next page.

Your teacher must register online at https://icscompetition.org/teacherinfo. The ICSC team will review the registration and approve or reject the teacher within a few days.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide you with teachers to supervise your Pre-Final Round Exam. Please contact teachers at your school or other nearby schools. If you cannot find a teacher, you can use the online supervision system instead.

No. The teacher can be from any government-accredited school or university, as long as they meet the requirements (active teacher, not retired, not related to you).

No. The teacher can teach any subject, as long as they are an active teacher at a government-accredited school or university.

Yes. A single teacher may supervise the exam for multiple participants at the same time. If there are other Pre-Final Round participants from your school, it is required that the same teacher supervises all students simultaneously. Please contact your teacher and inform them about the other participants.

Please ask another teacher who meets the requirements and can prove their employment at a government-accredited school or university. The rejected teacher can also register again with additional or corrected information or documents if something was missing from their initial registration.

You can bring blank sheets of paper (not more than twenty) and pens (not more than three) to write your solutions during the exam. You may also bring something to drink. No other materials or tools are allowed. You are not allowed to bring your own copy of the research paper, but it will be available in the exam interface. Your computer, laptop, or phone must only be used to access the exam platform at https://icscompetition.org/exam.

The preparation phase begins on Thursday, 20 August 2026 when all qualified and registered Pre-Final Round participants receive a research paper via email and through their participant account. During this phase, you should read and familiarize yourself with the research paper, as one of the exam problems (the research problem) will require you to apply concepts from this paper. The paper is in English, but you may use translation tools and AI to help you understand the material.

The research paper is provided in English only. However, you may use translation tools and AI to help you comprehend the material and translate it into your preferred language.

The exam questions will be available in multiple languages. The specific languages available will be displayed in the exam interface when you log in.

After the 60-minute exam finishes, you will have 10 minutes to upload clear scans of your written solutions using your phone. You will scan a QR code shown on the exam screen, which will take you to the upload interface. If you use your phone to take the exam, you will need a second phone for scanning and uploading. This is why we strongly recommend using a laptop or computer for the exam itself. Make sure to write clearly, use a new sheet of paper for each problem, and write the problem number at the top of every page.

No. If you choose teacher supervision (Option A), your exam will not be recorded via webcam or phone. Your teacher will supervise you in person and take a photo of the exam conditions during the exam. The online supervision system with webcam and phone recording is only used if you choose the supervision without teacher option (Option B).

The Final Round is a single 30-minute online exam. The exam takes place at home via an online exam portal and is supervised using an online supervision system (no teacher supervision required or allowed). The exam includes three types of questions: (1) Short-answer questions (1-5 minutes per question): Give a single word or number as response. (2) Multiple-choice questions (1-5 minutes per question): Select the correct answer from four options. (3) Coding questions: Write code in Python, Java, C, or C++ to solve a problem. Questions are shown one-by-one for a limited time, and you cannot go back to previous questions. You can use blank paper and pens for notes, but calculators, written notes, and the Pre-Final Round research paper are not allowed. More information: Final Round Information Flyer

Please see 'Pre-Final Round' here: Process & Rounds

You can use blank paper and pens during the exam for notes. Not allowed: Calculators, written notes, or the Pre-Final Round research paper. The computer/laptop/phone must only be used to access the Final Exam website.

In this case, the results of the Pre-Final round and of the Qualification Round will be used to determine the final winner based on the total points. If the tie remains, both participants will receive the same award and split the cash prize. However, this has never happened before.

The results of the Final Round and ICSC 2026 will be announced on Tuesday, 29 September 2026.

No, you cannot redo or continue the exam later. You must ensure a stable internet connection and that your browser is up-to-date before starting. It is not possible to pause, continue, or retake the exam once you have started.

Yes, you are allowed to bring a blank piece of paper and a pencil for note-taking during the exam.

Yes, it is allowed to do the exam on your phone.

Each question has a dedicated time window (1-5 minutes depending on the question type). You can answer the question in less time and move to the next question. However, you cannot go back to previous questions, and you cannot skip questions without submitting an answer (leaving a question blank counts as skipping it).

The Final Round takes around 30 minutes. The exam includes three types of questions: (1) Short-answer questions (1-5 minutes per question): Give a single word or number as response. (2) Multiple-choice questions (1-5 minutes per question): Select the correct answer from four options. (3) Coding questions: Write code to solve a problem. Questions are shown one-by-one for a limited time. There are no negative points for incorrect answers.

If you experience technical issues during the exam, try to reload the exam page and log in again if necessary. Take screenshots of any issues encountered. After the exam, if we detect any time irregularities, you will have the option to explain any technical problems that occurred. However, you are responsible for ensuring a stable internet connection and up-to-date browser before starting the exam.

No. The participant must give the final answer to each question within the dedicated time window for that specific question.

If the participant has successfully completed the Pre-Final Round, it is possible to access the Final Exam via the Final Exam webpage by logging in with your profile credentials.

The Final Exam takes place on Wednesday, 23 September 2026. You must select your specific time slot in advance at https://icscompetition.org/schedule-exam. All time slots are scheduled in the evening in your country's time zone. We recommend selecting your slot early, as each slot can accommodate a limited number of participants.

We will use international shipping to deliver all of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes; there is no need to travel somewhere. The national awards and Final Round honours will be sent digitally as a soft copy.

You can find examples here: https://icscompetition.org/docs/ICSC_Photo_Examples.pdf. The supervision phone must be positioned to capture: (a) your upper body and partial face, (b) your hands and the sheets of paper in front of you, and (c) the screen of your exam device. The phone should be placed to your left or right side, slightly behind you, at an angle that allows the camera to clearly capture all three elements. You may use stable materials or stands to position your phone at an acceptable angle.

Yes, the supervision phone's microphone must be enabled to record the surrounding sound during the exam.

You will receive a link via email and through your participant account when timeslot selection opens. Timeslots are available at regular intervals throughout the exam period. Each timeslot can accommodate a limited number of participants, and they are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend selecting your slot early. Once you select a timeslot, you will know exactly when to log in to begin your exam.

To take the exam using the online supervision system, you will need: (1) A computer, laptop, or phone with a webcam (exam device), (2) A second phone with a working camera and microphone (supervision phone), and (3) A valid government-issued ID card or passport. All devices must be connected to the internet and have sufficient battery or be connected to power. You will also need a stable internet connection throughout the exam.

If using the online supervision system, the following requirements apply: Only your exam device, ID card, blank sheets of paper, pens, and something to drink are allowed. The room must be closed with the door shut. No notes, posters, or other materials may be in your field of view. No additional phones, monitors, or electronic devices may be present. No other person may be in the room. No noisy environments. No headphones. You are not allowed to leave the exam environment at any time during the exam or before your answers have been scanned and uploaded. Using the restroom is not permitted once the exam has started.

The supervision phone must be placed to your left or right side, slightly behind you, at an angle that allows the camera to clearly capture: (1) Your upper body and partial face, (2) Your hands and the sheets of paper in front of you, and (3) The screen of your exam device. You can find examples of acceptable angles at https://icscompetition.org/docs/ICSC_Photo_Examples.pdf. We recommend preparing and testing your exam setup beforehand. You may use stable materials or stands to position your phone at an acceptable angle.

If you are using the online supervision system, you are required to connect your supervision phone to a charging cable during the exam setup. This ensures that your phone remains powered throughout the entire exam and supervision period. Make sure to have a charger and power outlet available before starting the exam.

You are responsible for ensuring a stable internet connection and power supply throughout the exam. It is not possible to pause, continue, or retake the exam once you have started. If you experience internet or power issues during the exam, you may try to reload the exam page and log in again if possible. After the exam, if we detect any time irregularities, you will have the option to explain any technical issues that occurred. However, we recommend ensuring reliable internet and power before starting the exam to avoid any disruptions.

The ICSC competition is free to enter for all students from around the world. However, all students who have qualified and want to register for the Pre-Final Round have to cover the registration costs of 15 EUR to make this year's competition possible. You can find further information here: More Information

This educational opportunity comes with diverse costs, including those for human resources, technical infrastructure, materials and more. While our sponsors cover some of these expenses, we need to ask participants to cover this year's Pre-Final Round registration costs to make ICSC on an international level possible. The registration costs are necessary to provide the resources for the evaluation and, in particular, for the comprehensive Pre-Final Round. There are no other costs involved. You can find detailed information about the registration costs here: More Information

The pre-final registration costs are 15 EUR: More Information

No, the registration costs for the Pre-Final Round are the only costs that have to be covered by participants of this year's competition.

If you are successful in the Qualification Round, you can decide whether you want to register for the Pre-Final Round or not. You will always receive a certificate of your results in the Qualification Round.

Yes, you can participate in the Qualification Round and receive your participation certificate without registering for the Pre-Final Round.

We will inform all successful participants of the Qualification Round about the registration process for the Pre-Final Round. The registration costs have to be covered before the Pre-Final Round starts if you want to participate. The costs can be covered by any common payment method, such as PayPal or credit card.

Yes, the currency will be converted automatically to EUR during the payment process.

Yes, financial aid is available to assist socio-economically disadvantaged participants. We are continuously searching for additional partners who will help us reduce the overall costs further. There are some fee waivers, reductions, and regional sponsorships available each year. Qualified participants will be informed on how to apply for financial aid, along with the announcement of the Qualification Round: Financial Aid.

Yes, we provide a group payment page for teachers and schools to cover the pre-final registration costs for multiple participants at the same time (as a group).

Yes, teachers and schools are invited to share this opportunity with their students. You can use all problems, posters, and materials. The registration form for teachers is available here: Registration

We have implemented an online tool to check the submissions and results of your students: Login

Yes, we understand the crucial role of teachers and schools for science education. Because of that, we award three school awards to honour the efforts of the teachers and the school (the awards are not connected to cash prize): Teacher Information Flyer

More information is available here: Teacher Information Flyer

All teachers who supervised the Pre-Final Round Exam with students will receive a certificate in recognition of their commitment.

The registration page for teachers is available here: Teacher Registration

Yes, we provide a group payment page for teachers and schools to cover the pre-final registration costs for multiple participants at the same time (as a group). Group payments can be made here.

As soon as your teacher is approved, they can log into the teacher account and add you as a student by clicking on the button 'Add Student'. Your teacher has to enter your year of birth and e-mail. Please note that the e-mail must be the exact e-mail with which you are registered for the competition.

Since ICSC is an international competition with participants distributed all around the world, it is crucial to have official ICSC ambassadors in several schools, cities, and countries. ICSC ambassadors are being honoured with an official certificate: You officially represent ICSC, you can coordinate an ICSC student group, promote ICSC in your country, and ensure that your country has vital ICSC activity! Being an ICSC ambassador is not only good for your CV and career experiences, but it also gives you the unique opportunity to prove your skills as a coordinator and to encourage students to get engaged with computer science.

You have a variety of responsibilities such as to encourage students and youths to participate in ICSC and to inform schools, local institutes, etc. about ICSC. You also have the power to operate in the name of ICSC, to establish a strong and vital ICSC group in your region, and to inspire other youths for computer science and technology! All official ICSC ambassadors additionally receive a personal ambassador page to manage their activities. However, the unique opportunities are just a few of many reasons to become official ICSC ambassador: There are more benefits such as high-class career experiences and the official ICSC ambassador certificate. You find a list of possible ICSC ambassador activities here: Ambassador Activity Flyer

You have to be at least 14 years old, be interested in computer science and technology, and be willing to spend the time to encourage students to get engaged with computer science and to participate in ICSC.

In order to verify your eligibility as official ICSC ambassador, please fill out the ambassador application form: this includes your CV and a short motivation statement that explains your reasons and plans for becoming ICSC ambassador. After you applied, we will review your application and contact you: Ambassador Application Form

No, please submit your original transcript if no English version is available. However, please submit an English transcript if available.

No, we accept ambassador applications on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Yes.

Special awards are given each year to the most active ambassadors to honour their excellent and responsible performance. This includes awards for encouraging many participants as well as for coordinating many activities. However, your main purpose of becoming an ambassador should always be to inspire youths! You find more information here: Awards and Prizes

On this page: Ambassador Login

In general, we do not recommend to create a local ICSC social media page as information published on the official ICSC social media page are relevant to all participants and a separate page might be misleading for some students. However, feel free to create social media groups etc. to encourage and coordinate your local ICSC group (for example, a group for your school, district, city).

Once you are approved, you are ambassador without the need to apply again in the future. However, the ICSC team removes all inactive ambassadors (no participants or activities) each year. If you have been removed but want to continue as an ambassador, you must apply again.

The ambassador score is determined by 10×QR + 20×PF + 30×F where QR, PF, F are the total number of participants in the qualification, pre-final, and Final Round associated with you as an ambassador. Participants from all previous editions are included. Participants can select their ambassador on the submission form.

To award active ambassadors with long-time experience, ambassadors can rank up to five levels depending on their engagement and contribution in making publicity, organizing local events, and other activities. The levels certify the ambassador's dedication and commitment to the ICSC community: Newcomer, Experienced, Accomplished, Senior, Honoured.

A certificate will be issued to active ambassadors only. You qualify as an 'active ambassador' if you have at least one Pre-Final Round participant associated with your ambassador profile. Please inform participants to select your name during the submission process or forward your personal ambassador submission link.

You find a link to your ambassador certificate in your ambassador account. Please note that a certificate will be issued to active ambassadors only (i.e., at least one Pre-Final Round participant associated with your ambassador profile) after the Pre-Final Round announcement (8 September 2026).

Computer Science is the bedrock of the modern world, driving innovation and shaping nearly every aspect of our lives. From the algorithms that connect us globally to the artificial intelligence transforming industries, its principles empower us to solve complex problems and build the future. The International Computer Science Competition offers students a platform to challenge their critical and logical thinking, explore diverse CS concepts, and delve deeper into this exciting discipline beyond the standard school curriculum.

Internationality, Digital Accessibility, Exploration of Theory and Practice, Real-World Research, Adjusted Difficulty, Online Tools for Teachers, Supportive Alumni Network, and more. All details are available here: About ICSC

Yes, of course!

Everyone has to submit their own solution papers in all rounds. However, for the Qualification Round, you are allowed to work on the problems with your friends and classmates together. Working together or receiving help from other people is not permitted in the Pre-Final and Final Round. You can find more about rules and cheating policy here: Cheating Policy

Since ICSC is launching its first edition this year, we do not yet have past training problems. However, we have compiled example problems & solutions and further external training resources. You can find them here: Training Problems

You can learn more here: Training Problems

Yes, all of your ICSC certificates have verification IDs. This enables others to verify the authenticity of the certificates and documents: Verification page

Comparing the International Computer Science Competition to other science competitions can be misleading: ICSC does not intend to be an alternative to established competitions (e.g., IOI or USACO) or its national variations and actively encourages students to take part in such opportunities.

Instead, ICSC serves as a supplementary program designed to engage a wide range of students, particularly those just beginning to develop an interest in scientific subjects. It focuses on accessibility, making it a platform for students of all skill levels to explore and grow their fascination with science.

Learn more on this page: About ICSC

The International Computer Science Competition is an independent educational competition. More information about the history, organization, and funding is available here: About ICSC

Such an international competition has several expenses, including human resources, technical infrastructure, materials, and much more. The costs are covered by sponsors and partners as well as through the participants via the pre-final registration costs: More Information

The International Computer Science Competition takes place primarily online and is accessible to students around the world; you do not need to travel somewhere to participate. The organizing team is constantly evolving, with most team members and technical infrastructure being located in Germany. There are also many other people around the world, such as the ICSC ambassadors, who do their best to make this competition a valuable experience. More information and contact details are available here: Contact Information

The training page gives tips, book recommendations, and a comprehensive collection of problems: Training and Preparation. Additional resources and links related to computer science are available here: Resources and Links. This also includes the following: Videos, Lecture Notes, Presentations, and Infographics. We also provide a list of special resources for teachers and educators: Teaching.

The solutions are usually published on our training page a few weeks after the Final Round of the last edition has concluded. You can find the training page here: Training Problems