Skip to main content

Ascent / 2026 C++ competition

The ascent is measured inmilliseconds.

Write correct C++, then make it faster. Ascent ranks valid submissions by measured speedup. The contest runs from an individual qualifier to a final round working on a real codebase.

Register for AscentSee the three rounds
Scoring
Measured speedup
Language
C++20
Entry
Free

From the team behind AMS Derive

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

Scoring

Make correct code run faster.

Your code must produce the correct result. We then compare its performance with the baseline under the same test conditions.

  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

    Rank by speedup

    Your measured speedup determines your place in the rankings.

01Correct output
02Controlled benchmark
03Measured improvement

Competition format

From the qualifier to the final round.

Start with individual C++ problems, then work in a team at an IIT hub. Finalists compete at IIT Bombay by optimizing a real codebase.

  1. 01
    Stage

    C++ qualifier

    Entry

    Individual

    Setting

    AMS Access

    What you will do

    Performance-focused C++ problems establish who advances.

  2. 02
    Stage

    Hub optimization

    Entry

    Team

    Setting

    Participating IIT hubs

    What you will do

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

  3. 03
    Stage

    Codebase finale

    Entry

    Finalists

    Setting

    IIT Bombay

    What you will do

    Optimize a real codebase while preserving its required behaviour.

Event sequence

Know what happens next.

Registration opens in September, followed by three rounds from October to December 2026.

The Round 3 date is tentative. The registration closing date is yet to be announced.
  1. 01

    Registration opens

    24 September 2026

    Submit your contact, education, and competition details. The registration closing date is yet to be announced.

  2. 02

    Round 1: Proficiency

    24 October 2026

    Online on AMS Access with remote proctoring. C++ proficiency, puzzles, and live debugging.

  3. 03

    Round 2: Implementation

    6 December 2026

    Group-based implementation on AMS Access at partner campuses, moderated by campus club members.

  4. 04

    Round 3: Mastery

    20 December 2026 · Tentative

    30 finalists meet on site in Mumbai for live judging of language, build system, profiling, and debugging skills. AMS covers travel and stay.

Competition entry

Register for Ascent ’26

Bring your contact and education details and a shareable Google Drive resume link. A transcript and Codeforces handle are optional.

  • No account or sign-in
  • Google Drive resume link
  • Submit on this site
Register for AscentSee the competition dates

Before you register

Common questions

Who can enter, how scoring works, and what to expect after registration.

Who can register?
Anyone can register. Advancement depends on the qualification process and your contest results.
What determines my score?
Correctness comes first. Valid solutions are then measured against a common baseline, and performance improvement drives the ranking.
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.
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.
When are registration and the competition rounds?
Registration opens on 24 September 2026. Round 1 is on 24 October and Round 2 on 6 December. Round 3 is planned for 20 December 2026 in Mumbai, with that date still tentative. The registration closing date is yet to be announced.
What happens after I submit the form?
After you submit, the page confirms your registration and shows your entry reference. Save that reference and check that your email and mobile number are correct so the Ascent team can contact you.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Registration for Ascent is free.