🚀 A Beginner’s Guide to Joining and Attempting HackerRank Contests

At Ujjwalit, we believe that the best way to learn coding is by doing. To help you get hands-on experience, we are organizing a coding contest for students on HackerRank. This will not only introduce you to real-world coding problems but also build your confidence for future contests and technical interviews.

If you're new to HackerRank or have never joined a coding contest before, don’t worry—we’ve got your back! This blog will walk you through every step: from creating your HackerRank account to submitting your first problem during the contest.

🧭 Step-by-Step Guide to Join a HackerRank Contest

🔹 Step 1: Create a HackerRank Account

1. Visit www.hackerrank.com.
2. Click on “Sign Up” at the top right.
3. Choose your preferred method (Google, Facebook, GitHub, or email).
4. Fill in your details and complete the sign-up.

✅ Tip: Use your real name and email—you’ll receive updates and certificates here.

🔹 Step 2: Join the Contest

1. You’ll receive a contest link (we’ll share this on the Ujjwalit portal and our socials).
2. Click the link. You’ll be taken to the contest landing page.
3. Click on the “Join Contest” button.
4. Read the rules, allowed languages, and timing carefully.

✅ You can join the contest in advance, but it will only start at the scheduled time.

🧪 What Happens During the Contest?

🔸 Problem Format

Each contest will include 3 to 5 problems with varying levels of difficulty:

• Easy: For warming up
• Medium: Requires more logic
• Hard: Challenging for advanced learners

Each problem will include:

• A problem statement (what is being asked)
• Input format (how the data is provided)
• Output format (how your answer should look)
• Constraints (limits like 1 ≤ N ≤ 1000)
• Sample input/output (for testing your understanding)

🔸 How to Attempt a Problem

1. Click on a problem title from the left panel.
2. Read the problem statement carefully.
3. Scroll down to the code editor.
4. Select your preferred programming language (C++, Python, Java, etc.).
5. You’ll notice that the function signature and input/output handling are already written for you.
6. Your job is only to write the logic inside the function provided—no need to worry about reading input or printing output manually.
7. Use the “Run Code” button to check against sample inputs.
8. Once confident, hit “Submit Code” to test against hidden test cases.

✅ Think of it like a coding puzzle—just complete the missing piece inside the function block.

🧠 Pro Tips for Beginners

• Start with easy problems: Build momentum first.
• Don’t panic over TLE (Time Limit Exceeded): Try optimizing your loops and logic.
• Check constraints: They guide your approach (e.g., brute force vs optimized solution).
• Use the test editor: You can manually test inputs before submission.

📊 How is Scoring Done?

• Each problem has equal or varying points.
• You get points only if your code passes all test cases.
• The leaderboard updates in real-time based on score and time taken.

⏰ What Happens After the Contest?

• You can revisit problems and see editorials/solutions.
• Check your rank on the leaderboard.
• Learn from your mistakes—understanding why your code failed is more important than winning.

🙌 Final Words

This contest is about learning. Whether you solve 1 problem or all of them, what matters most is that you tried, learned, and improved.

We hope this blog helps you feel more confident and prepared. If you have questions or get stuck, reach out to us through Ujjwalit—we’re here to help!

Stay Motivated

Happy Learning!!