| |
| Answers: |
| |
|
|
|
May
primary school students participate? |
|
|
Yes, but the Computer Olympiad is designed for high school learners.
|
|
What
programming languages may we use? |
|
|
Round 1: Any one of South Africa's official languages. No knowledge of computer programming languages required.
Round 2: Any computer language widely recognized as such -
including Java and Delphi.
Round 3: C, C++, Java, Pascal and Python.
IOI: Subject to
IOI regulations: Likely to be C or C++.
|
|
Who
may participate in the second round? |
|
|
Anyone at a school that took part in the first round and who, in the opinion
of the school, should take part in the second round.
|
|
To
whom do we give first round certificates? |
|
|
1st in each Grade (Grades 8 through 12).
1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the school (irrespective of Grade).
|
|
Can someone win two certificates? |
|
|
Yes. At least one learner will receive both "First in Grade" and "First in School" certificates.
|
| |
Who
may participate in the first round? |
|
|
Any learner at any school. However, the Computer Olympiad question
paper is designed for high school learners.
|
|
Can
we send papers to the Compupter Olympiad to be marked? |
|
|
No for the First Round.
Yes for the Second Round.
|
|
Are
there any extra certificates available? |
|
|
Yes, on request, but only for first, second and third place.
|
|
When,
on the given date, must we write the first round paper? |
|
|
Any time that suits you.
|
|
What
is the duration of the first round paper? |
|
|
One hour
|
|
What
happens if we do not receive the papers in time? |
|
|
The paper will be faxed or e-mailed to you. The participants
may write later.
|
|
Must
we photocopy the papers ourselves? |
|
|
Yes.
|
|
Do
you have past question papers available? |
|
|
Yes. See the Past
Papers section.
|
|
May
we enter the second round if we have not participated in the
first? |
|
|
Only with special permission.
|
|
Who
sets the questions? |
|
|
Most questions are set by the following:
• Past Olympiad participants, especially past winners
• Past members of the South African IOI team
• University of Cape Town Computer Science staff, students
and graduates.
• Computer Olympiad office staff
|
|
Why
can't we send in disks for the second round? |
|
|
• It is often difficult or impossible to view what is
on a disk - and very time-consuming.
• Disputes arise when blank disk are received (no one
has ever sent a blank paper!)
• Disks sent in by schools contain an alarming number
of viruses.
|
|
May I bring a calculator into the exam room? |
|
|
Yes for a simple calculator. No if it is a programming device. A calculator will be of limited use, however, because most questions involve reasoning and minimal calculation.
|
|
May CAT learners take part? |
|
|
Yes. The First Round is an aptitude test that is open to all and does not require the use of a computer or knowledge of computer programming languages. There is no requirement for learners to proceed to the Second Round.
Note that the Second Round requires the use of a computer and knowledge of a computer programming language.
|
Frequently Asked Questions
