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Ascent / 2026 C++ competition

The ascent is measured inmilliseconds.

Ascent is a C++ optimization competition. Correctness is the gate; measured speedup drives the ranklist. Start with the qualifier and advance toward a real-codebase finale.

Register for AscentExplore competition tracks
Scoring
Measured speedup
Language
C++20
Entry
Free

From the team behind AMS Derive

  • 600+competitors
  • 20+institutions
  • On-sitefinals at an IIT hub

How scoring works

Correctness is the gate. Performance is the score.

Ascent begins where a normal accepted verdict ends. Once the program is correct, the question becomes how much faster, leaner, and more deliberate you can make it.

  1. 01 / Correct

    Preserve the result

    Every optimization must remain correct. A faster wrong answer does not score.

  2. 02 / Measure

    Run against the baseline

    Valid submissions are evaluated in a controlled environment against the same starting point.

  3. 03 / Rank

    Climb through speedup

    Measured performance—not submission decoration or pedigree—separates the ranklist.

01Correct output
02Controlled benchmark
03Measured improvement

Competition format

Three rounds. Increasingly real systems work.

The contest moves from individual C++ performance problems to collaborative optimization and, finally, a real codebase. Each round asks for more than the one before it.

  1. 01
    Stage

    C++ qualifier

    Entry

    Individual

    Setting

    AMS Access

    What changes

    Performance-focused C++ problems establish who advances.

  2. 02
    Stage

    Hub optimization

    Entry

    Team

    Setting

    Participating IIT hubs

    What changes

    Profile, test, and improve code under a shared set of constraints.

  3. 03
    Stage

    Codebase finale

    Entry

    Finalists

    Setting

    IIT Bombay

    What changes

    Optimize a real codebase while preserving its required behaviour.

Event sequence

Know what happens next.

The round structure is fixed. Dates remain visibly pending until the event team confirms them—no countdown or placeholder deadline is presented as fact.

Confirmed dates will be published here and shared through the contact details submitted during registration.
  1. 01

    Registration

    Schedule pending

    Submit your contact, education, and competition details in one three-stage form.

  2. 02

    C++ qualifier

    Date to be announced

    The first scored round runs on AMS Access. Qualification details will be published with the rules.

  3. 03

    Hub optimization

    Date to be announced

    Selected competitors move into team-based optimization at participating IIT hubs.

  4. 04

    Codebase finale

    Date to be announced

    Finalists meet at IIT Bombay for the real-codebase performance round.

Competition entry

Ready to put your C++ performance to the test?

Bring your contact and education details and a shareable Google Drive resume link. A transcript and Codeforces handle are optional. Registration stays here from start to submission.

  • No account or sign-in
  • Google Drive resume link
  • Submit on this site
Register for AscentReview the event sequence

Before you register

Answers to decisions that matter.

The format is unusual, so the important rules should be explicit. Unconfirmed operational details stay marked as pending.

01
Who can register?
Anyone can register. Ascent uses contest performance and the qualification process—not a pedigree screen—as the merit gate.
02
What determines my score?
Correctness comes first. Valid solutions are then measured against a common baseline, and performance improvement drives the ranking.
03
Do I need a team when I register?
No. Registration and the qualifier are individual. Team-based work is introduced only for competitors who advance to the hub round.
04
Which compiler and hardware will be used?
The competition uses C++20. The exact compiler, flags, target hardware, allowed libraries, and measurement method will be published with the official rules before the qualifier.
05
When will the competition dates be confirmed?
The schedule is still being finalized. Confirmed dates will replace the clearly marked pending states on this page; placeholder dates are not presented as facts.
06
What happens after I submit the form?
The final stage records your competition entry and shows an on-site confirmation. Keep your email and mobile number accurate so the event team can share administrative next steps.
07
Is there an entry fee?
No. Registration for Ascent is free.