Text-based challenges

The text-based challenges are designed for students who are learning to program using a text-based programming language.

Students can take part in one of two text-based challenges, depending on their experience.

Challenge structure

Each challenge is a 45-minute, timed challenge consisting of 10 questions

• 7 introductory and intermediate tasks (Task A)

• 3 more challenging tasks (Task B)

Students will write and submit their solutions using an in-browser IDE.

The IDE automatically checks coded solutions against test data.

Programming languages

Students can choose from a range of text-based programming languages available in the IDE. Some of the most commonly used languages include:

• Python

• Java

• C#

• C++

• C

• JavaScript

A full list of supported languages can be found in the IDE compiler list within the challenge platform.

​​We provide example solutions in different programming languages to show the correct syntax required by the Coding Challenge grader.

Each language handles input and output slightly differently, and the grader is very strict about this. The examples on our getting started page are there to help you understand the structure you need to use.

Short video guides showing how to answer the questions will be available before the challenge begins.

Information for students

If you are taking part in the challenge, we recommend practising beforehand using the practice challenges available on our website.

Information for teachers

Students who took part in the 2025 UK Bebras Challenge will be automatically enrolled in the Raspberry Pi Foundation 2026 Coding Challenge. They will use the same username and password created for the Bebras challenge.  Students  will all have a group code of 100. When students login they will see all the groups available and will need to choose the correct group (Novice/Explorer/Navigators/Trailblazers) to participate in. 

Students can choose which challenge they would like to take part in. Teachers can change a student’s challenge group in the admin site by updating the group code provided for the relevant text-based challenge.