Competition pits teams of three students against a set of problems whose solutions must be programmed in a limited time. In 1995, more than one thousand teams took part across the world. Typically, a team consists of three contestants from 19 to 22 years old enrolled at the same college or university. Age is not a factor. Educational experience is.
None can hold advanced degrees.
Students who have been Finalists twice cannot compete. If your team is eligible to compete in a Regional Contest, it is eligible to compete in the Contest Finals. See the individual Regional Contest Rules to determine eligibility in your area. Rules vary to accommodate different educational systems in different countries. The contest pits teams of three with one computer against a host of problems in a limited time-frame.