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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.

Round 1 results are out · Top 133 advance

1,500+ registrants · 133 selected for Round 2

Reveal my resultSee the three roundsJoin WhatsApp community (opens in a new tab)
Scoring
Measured speedup
Language
C++20
Entry
Free

From the team behind AMS Derive

  • 2,500+registrants
  • 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 join an AMS-assigned team online in AMS Access. Finalists compete on site in Mumbai by optimizing a real codebase.

  1. 01
    Stage

    C++ qualifier

    Entry

    Individual

    Setting

    AMS Access

    What you will do

    C++ proficiency, puzzles and live debugging. Correct answers and how quickly you submit them decide who advances.

  2. 02
    Stage

    Online team round

    Entry

    Team

    Setting

    Online · AMS Access

    What you will do

    AMS assigns selected participants to algorithm-matched teams. Collaborate, use in-app voice chat, and implement solutions together.

  3. 03
    Stage

    Codebase finale

    Entry

    Finalists

    Setting

    Mumbai · Tentative

    What you will do

    Optimize a real codebase while preserving its required behaviour.

Partners

Our sponsors

Ascent is supported by firms whose engineers work on exactly the problems this competition measures.

Gold Sponsor

Jane Street

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.
  1. 01

    Registration opens

    24 September 2026 · 06:00 IST

    Submit your contact, education, and competition details. Registration closes on 20 October 2026.

  2. 02

    Round 1: Proficiency

    24 October 2026 · 2:00 pm IST

    Two hours, online on AMS Access with remote proctoring. C++ proficiency, puzzles, and live debugging.

  3. 03

    Round 2 platform test

    1 December 2026

    Selected participants can test the Round 2 experience in the AMS Access app before the official round.

  4. 04

    Round 2: Implementation

    6 December 2026

    Online in the AMS Access app. AMS assigns selected participants to algorithm-matched teams, with in-app voice chat for collaboration.

  5. 05

    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

Registration is closed.

1,500+ people registered for Ascent ’26. The field for Round 1 is set. Registered entrants can check their decision on the entry status page.

Check entry statusSee the competition dates

Before you register

Common questions

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

Who can register?
Registration is open to candidates in India and across the Asia-Pacific region. Seats for candidates outside India are limited to 100 for this edition. Advancement depends on the qualification process and your contest results.
What determines my score?
Correctness comes first: an incorrect solution does not score. In Round 1 your rank then comes from how quickly you submit correct answers. From Round 2 onward, valid solutions are measured against a common baseline and the performance improvement drives the ranking. The syllabus describes each round in detail.
Do I need a team when I register?
No. Registration and Round 1 are individual. For Round 2, AMS will assign selected participants to teams using a matching algorithm.
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 at 06:00 IST and closes on 20 October 2026. Round 1 is on 24 October at 2:00 pm IST and runs for two hours. The Round 2 platform test is on 1 December, followed by the official round on 6 December. Round 3 is planned for 20 December 2026 in Mumbai, with that date still tentative.
How will Round 2 work?
Round 2 is online in the AMS Access app. AMS will place selected participants into teams using a matching algorithm, and teammates will be able to collaborate through in-app voice chat. A platform test is scheduled for 1 December 2026, before the official round on 6 December. Selected participants should check their registered email for instructions and any updates. The WhatsApp group invitation link has been sent to selected participants by email. Teams have also been formed, and assignments have been emailed to selected participants.
What happens after I submit the form?
Check your email and mobile number carefully before you submit, because they are how the Ascent team reaches you. After you submit, the page confirms your registration and shows your entry reference, and a confirmation email is sent to the address you gave. You can view your entry at any time from the entry status page. If anything is wrong, email team@amshq.in and we will reply within 24 to 48 hours.
What do I need to sit Round 1?
Round 1 runs on AMS Access, our proctored competition application. Windows, macOS and Linux are supported, and screen recording may be required. You can download AMS Access and test your setup from 15 October 2026, ahead of the round on 24 October. Full requirements are at https://www.amsaccess.com. If your machine cannot run it, email team@amshq.in and we will help you sort it out.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Registration for Ascent is free.