Navigators, Pathfinders and Trailblazers
Text-based coding challenges
These challenges will require students to produce solutions using a text based programming language. Supported languages include Python, VB, Java and C#. You can find a full list of supported languages (and versions) here.
The following table outlines the format of each challege and the skills that will be tested. At the end of each table is a sample challenge so you can assess the level of skill required. There is also a set of links to tutorials which can be used to practice skills and build confidence.
It is essential that every student who plans to enter the challenge is familiar with the Cuttle system that is used to mark the code. Please make sure you have followed the code submission tutorials to familarise yourself with the system.
| Group name | Navigators | Pathfinders | Trailblazers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | Text based | Text based | Text based |
| Duration | 45 mins | 45 mins | 45 mins |
| Question distribution | 8 questions - 4 marks each | 8 questions - 4 marks each | 8 questions - 4 marks each |
| 2 questions - 8 marks each | 2 questions - 8 marks each | 2 questions - 8 marks each | |
| Maths skills | |||
| Rounding to n places Substituting numbers in simple equations |
Logarithms | ||
| Programming constructs | |||
| Sequence Selection: IF - ELSE Iteration: COUNT and CONDITION controlled loops 8 mark tasks only Nested loops |
Selection: IF - ELIF - ELSE Iterating through characters in a string Iterating through a list Nested loops Functions |
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| Input/output | |||
| Input (stdin) Output (stdout) |
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| Maths operators | |||
| + (add) - (subtract) * (multiply) / (divide) |
^ (exponent) | % (modulus) // (floor division) |
|
| Relational operators | |||
| == (equal to) != (not equal to) < (less than) > (greater than) |
<= (less than or equal) >= (greater than or equal) |
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| Logical operators | |||
| OR AND NOT |
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| String handling | |||
| String length Convert to upper/lower |
String concatenation String slicing Extract substring Replace substring Reverse string |
Split string (delimiter) | |
| Data types/structures | |||
| Strings Integers Real numbers Boolean values Variables Arrays/lists (one dimensional) |
Arrays/lists (two dimensional) | Multi-dimensional arrays/lists Dictionaries 8 marks only QueuesStacks Graphs Trees |
|
| Standard algorithms | |||
| Sum list of numbers Count occurrences Calculate mean of list of numbers
|
Find Minimum/Maximum | Searching 8 marks only Enqueue/dequeuePush/Pop Pathfinding |
|
| SQL | |||
| Single table SELECT statments 8 Marks only Multi table SELECT stataments |
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| Tutorials/Examples |
Raspberry Pi Foundation projects site: |
Raspberry Pi Foundation projects site: |
Ada Computer Science (with sample code in Python, VB, Java and C#)
|
| Example Challenge | Navigators | Pathfinders | Trailblazers |
Practice Questions
The most effective way to prepare for a coding challenge is to practise. Start by trying the sample quiz in the table above.
The Coding Challenge will use questions that are in the same style as the old OUCC. You can find three year's worth of past questions on the Challenges page. Teachers can make practice quizzes for their student using questions available on the admin site. We will make practice quizzes available to home educated students starting in January.
Did you know the UK Bebras Challenge is run by the Raspberry Pi Foundation? Discover free teaching resources, tools, and expert support for computing education at raspberrypi.org.