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Answers:
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May primary school students participate? |
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Yes, but the Computer Olympiad is designed for high school learners. |
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Which applications or programming languages may we use? |
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Talent Search: No knowledge of applications or computer programming languages required.
Applications Olympiad: Microsoft Office, Open Office and similar.
Programming Olympiad Round 1: Any computer language widely recognised as such – including Java and Delphi.
Programming Olympiad Finals: C, C++, Java, Pascal and Python.
IOI: Subject to IOI regulations, Likely to be C or C++. |
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Who may participate? |
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Anyone who, in the opinion of the school, should take part. |
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To whom do we give certificates? |
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1st in each Grade (Grades 8 through 12).
1st, 2nd and 3rd place in the school (irrespective of Grade). |
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Can someone win two certificates? |
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Yes. At least one learner will receive both “First in Grade” and “First in School” certificates. |
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Who may participate in the Talent Search? |
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Any learner at any school. However, the Computer Olympiad question paper is designed for high school learners. |
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May the school send papers to the Compupter Olympiad office to be marked? |
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For the Talent Search: Any teacher can mark it.
For the Programming Olympiad: Send it in, if the teacher cannot cope.
For the Applications Olympiad: Any teacher can mark it. |
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Are any extra certificates available? |
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Yes, on request, but only for first, second and third place. |
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When, on the given date, must we write the first round paper? |
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Any time that suits the school. |
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What is the duration of the Talent Search? |
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One hour. |
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What happens if we do not receive the papers in time? |
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The paper will be faxed or e-mailed to you. The participants may write later. |
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Must we photocopy the papers ourselves? |
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Yes. |
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Do you have past question papers available? |
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Yes. See the “Past Papers” section on this website. |
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May we enter the Programming or Applications Olympiad without taking part in the Talent Search? |
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Yes. |
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Who sets the questions? |
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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 staff, students and graduates.
• Experienced Educators, including the Computer Olympiad office staff |
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Why can’t we send in disks? |
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• 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. |
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May I bring a calculator into the exam room? |
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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. |
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May we do only the Talent Search? |
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Yes. Schools may enter one, two or all three of the competitions. The school decides how many and which learners take part in each of the competitions. |
