Help Center

Learn how to use every feature.

Step-by-step guides, feature breakdowns, and FAQs to help you make the most of USACOGPT.

Welcome to Your AI Programming Tutor!

This platform helps you learn competitive programming with the assistance of an AI Tutor. Follow these simple steps to get started:

1

Enter a Problem

Navigate to the Problem tab in the editor area. Either paste a problem URL (from Codeforces, LeetCode, etc.) or manually enter the problem description. The AI will help you understand the requirements.

2

Write Your Code

Switch to the Code tab and start writing your solution. Select your preferred programming language from the dropdown. The editor supports syntax highlighting and auto-completion.

3

Use the AI Tutor Chat

Ask questions in the chat on the right side. The AI Tutor can help you understand the problem, suggest approaches, explain concepts, debug your code, and guide you through the solution—without giving away the answer directly.

4

Test Your Solution

Go to the Test tab to run your code. Click "Generate Tests" to automatically create test cases based on the problem, or manually add your own. Run tests to see if your solution works correctly!

Pro Tip: The AI Tutor learns from your problem and code. The more context you provide, the better it can help you!

Tips & Tricks

Asking Effective Questions

Good: "I'm thinking of using a greedy approach here. Can you tell me if that would work for this problem?"

Avoid: "What's the solution?"

Best Practices

  • Read the entire problem carefully before coding
  • Start with a brute force approach, then optimize
  • Use the AI to understand concepts, not just to get answers
  • Test with edge cases (empty input, max constraints, etc.)
  • Review test failures and ask the AI for debugging help

Effective Learning Strategy

  • Start with Topics: Read study guides before solving problems
  • Practice Problems: Use AI Tutor to solve related problems
  • Track Progress: Check Progress page to identify weak areas
  • Focus on Gaps: Prioritize topics with gray or light green dots
  • Review Conversations: Return to Topics page to revisit learning discussions

Frequently Asked Questions