USACO Past Papers & Solutions
USA Computing Olympiad
USACO past contests by division with solution approaches — Bronze through Platinum, with the algorithm list you actually need at each level.
- Eligibility
- Open to school students worldwide (US team selection is US-only)
- Format
- 3 algorithmic problems per contest, judged automatically on hidden test data
- Duration
- 4 hours (from opening the contest)
- Scoring
- 1000 points per contest; promotion between Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum divisions
USACO is a division ladder: Bronze tests careful implementation and complete search, Silver adds sorting, two pointers, graph traversal and prefix sums, Gold demands dynamic programming and shortest paths, and Platinum enters research-flavoured territory. The whole contest archive is free, judged online, and organised by division, which makes it the single best structured practice resource in competitive programming. Work upward: promotion comes from mastering the current division's standard techniques, not from attempting problems two divisions above.
Past papers by year
Each year page lists the official paper source (paper Bronze and paper Silver and paper Gold and paper Platinum), the answer key location, difficulty notes and how to review your solutions.
Stuck on a USACO question?
Send us the question number. A mentor who has sat and medalled in USACO will reply with a step-by-step walkthrough and the faster competition method.
Free to ask. No spam, ever — we only reply about your question.
What the paper tests
Complete search
Sorting & two pointers
Graphs
Dynamic programming
Advanced structures
Where it leads: Platinum performers are considered for the US IOI training camp. See our coaching programme.
Book personalised USACO classes
Past papers show you the gap; a mentor closes it. Our USACO mentors are medal winners who walk through every solution 1-to-1, then set targeted practice on the archetypes you lost marks on.
Want the full USACO paper pack and score guide?
Tell us your target and we will send the USACO paper list, the official scoring rules and a preparation plan built around the questions you keep losing marks on.
Free to ask. No spam, ever — we only reply about your question.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get promoted in USACO?
- Score highly enough within a contest and you are promoted immediately, sometimes mid-contest. In practice a near-perfect score in your current division is the reliable route.
- Can students outside the USA take part?
- Yes, USACO contests are open to international participants, though only US students are eligible for IOI team selection.