Analysis of CSP-J/S and GESP C++ Competition Systems: A Must-Read Guide for Parents of Informatics Olympiad Participants

Dear Parents,

Recently, many parents have inquired about how their children can participate in the Informatics Olympiad. What are the differences between CSP-J/S and GESP C++? Today, based on the official documents from the China Computer Federation (CCF), I will outline the characteristics of these two competitions for your reference.

1. CSP-J/S: The “Gateway” to the Informatics Olympiad

CSP-J/S (Non-Professional Software Capability Certification) is an entry-level competition under the Informatics Olympiad (NOI) system organized by CCF, divided into Entry Level (Group J) and Advanced Level (Group S), suitable for upper-grade elementary to high school students.

1. Competition Characteristics

• Two Rounds of Assessment:
• First Round (Preliminary): Written exam assessing computer fundamentals, C++ syntax, and simple algorithms, with a total score of 100 points. Each province sets its own qualifying score.
• Second Round (Semi-Final): Programming on a computer, completing 4 programming problems in 3.5 hours, each worth 100 points, using the OI competition format (i.e., no real-time feedback on scores after submission, with the final submission being the one that counts).
• Award Evaluation:
• National uniform benchmark, with provinces dynamically adjusting quotas based on results.
• Approximately 20% receive first prizes, and outstanding participants may advance to the NOIP (National Youth Informatics Olympiad).

2. Educational Impact

The awards from the CSP-J/S semi-finals may be used as a selection reference for science and technology specialty students during transitions from elementary to middle school and from middle to high school.

2. GESP C++: Programming Ability Level Certification

GESP (Programming Ability Level Certification) is also organized by CCF but focuses more on programming ability assessment, suitable for students aged 6-18 to progressively improve their skills.

1. Competition Characteristics

• Graded Exams:
• Levels 1-4 (Basic): Assessing knowledge of variables, loops, arrays, etc.
• Levels 5-8 (Advanced): Involving algorithms such as dynamic programming and graph theory, connecting with the content of CSP-J/S semi-finals.
• Exam Format:
• Offline computer-based testing, 2 hours for levels 1-4, 3 hours for levels 5-8, including multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, and programming problems.
• Programming problems use the IOI competition format (multiple submissions allowed, with real-time feedback on scores).
• Skipping Levels:
• A score of ≥90 in a single level allows skipping to the next level (e.g., scoring 90 in level 1 allows skipping to level 3).
• Teacher recommendations can also allow skipping levels, but failure will affect the recommendation eligibility.

2. Relationship with CSP-J/S

• Preliminary Exam Exemption Policy:
• Score of ≥80 in GESP C++ level 7 exempts from the CSP-J preliminary exam, and ≥80 in level 8 exempts from the CSP-J/S preliminary exam (only once).
• Preparation Value:
• Content from levels 5-8 overlaps with knowledge points from the CSP-J/S semi-finals, serving as pre-competition training.

3. How to Choose?

1. If the goal is clear (aiming for NOI): It is recommended to prepare directly for CSP-J/S, as it is directly linked to NOIP and provincial selections.
2. If gradual improvement is needed: Start with GESP, using graded exams to assess ability before transitioning to CSP-J/S.
3. If time is limited: GESP exams are held more frequently (4 times a year), suitable for periodic testing; CSP-J/S is held only once a year and requires advance planning.

4. Conclusion

Whether it is GESP or CSP-J/S, children need to solidly grasp programming fundamentals. Parents should not rush the process. It is advisable to choose a suitable path based on the child’s interests and abilities. If there are any questions, please refer to the CCF official website (www.ccf.org.cn) or consult the school’s informatics coach.

— Lao Ma, August 2024

(Data for this article is sourced from CCF official announcements and historical competition documents. Please refer to the latest notifications for any policy changes.)

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Youth Programming Competition Exchange

The “Youth Programming Competition Exchange Group” has been established (suitable for youth aged 6 to 18). Add the assistant’s WeChat to invite everyone into the learning group. After joining, participants can engage in regularly organized 21-day problem-solving challenges, level exams, guidance for Ministry of Education whitelist competitions, and team competitions in youth programming.