The problems in the competition are intended to be able to be solved by a wide range of skill levels, from beginner to advanced. To get an idea of what the problems will be like, please see our sample problem set.
About the competition
The Canadian Team Programming Competition is an event designed to challenge and showcase participants' skills in data structures and algorithms through both individual and team-based problem-solving. The contest features a variety of coding challenges that span diverse topics and difficulty levels, ensuring accessibility and engagement for participants of all experience levels.
Participants can choose to compete virtually or attend the in-person event, which offers additional perks such as inspiring guest speakers and networking opportunities. The contest is completely free to enter, and top-performing teams will receive prizes in recognition of their achievements.
Our 2025 event will take place on April 10, with the in-person event located at the University of Waterloo's South Campus Hall.
344
Students participated in the 2023 contest
90
Teams took part in the 2023 contest
28
Schools across Ontario participated in the 2023 contest
Register
Registration for the 2025 competition is now open. Teachers who have received a school code can register here. If you have not received a school code and would like to participate, please email launch@ctpc.ca.
If you are a high school teacher, you can register as many students as you would like for the official competition through our website. All students in the official competition will participate on the same day, and will be eligible for prizes.
Any students who wish to participate individually can do so at a time of their choosing after the official contest has ended. However, they will not be eligible for prizes or leaderboards. Registration for individual students will open shortly.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ
What skill level is necessary to participate?
What is the format of the competition?
The competition will consist of two stages: an individual portion, lasting one hour and consisting of four questions, and a team portion, lasting two hours and consisting of twelve questions.
What are the rules of the contest?
To ensure the contest is fair for everyone, some rules have been put in place:
- During the individual portion of the event, collaboration with others is not allowed. During the team portion, participants may discuss the problems only with their team members.
- Use of generative AI models (for example, ChatGPT, Claude, and GitHub Copilot) is not allowed.
- During the contest, the only websites that may be accessed are: a code editor of each participant's choice, and the official documentation for the language they are using.
What's the difference between in-person and virtual?
Both in-person and virtual participants will take part on the same day. To allow more flexibility, online participants will be able to start the contest at a time of their choosing, while the in-person event will follow a schedule.
In-person participants will also have the opportunity to take part in additional activities, including presentations, and networking, and games.
