Novices and Explorers

The Coding Challenge will run between 24th March and 4th April 2025.

Block-based coding challenges

These challenges will require students to produce solutions using the Turtle Blockly programming language. The following table outlines the format of each challenge 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 how to run the code in the system that is used for the challenge. We recommend that all students participating attempt the practice challenge listed at the end of the table below.

Warning: This activity includes animations that may rarely trigger dizziness or seizures. Watch for signs like confusion, distress, or shaking. If concerned, stop the activity and follow first aid procedures.

Group name	Novices (beginners)	Explorers (intermediate)
Group description	New to block based programming	Experienced block based programmers
Technique	Block based	Block based
Duration	45 mins	45 mins
Question distribution	8 questions - 4 marks each	8 questions - 4 marks each
Question distribution	2 questions - 8 marks each	2 questions - 8 marks each
Maths skills
	simple geometry shapes angles coordinates	rounding to n places substituting numbers in simple equations
Programming constructs
	sequence selection: IF blocks iteration: COUNT	selection: IF - ELIF - ELSE blocks Iterating through characters in a string Iterating through a list nested loops functions
Input/output
	displaying text blocks
Maths operators
		/ (divide)
Relational operators
		True/False != (not equal to) < (less than) > (greater than) <= (less than or equal to) >= (greater than or equal to)
Logical operators
		OR AND NOT
String handling
		String length
Data types/structures
	strings integers 8 mark only questions variables	real numbers variables
Block help sheets
	Novices-Block-List.pdf	Explorers-Block-List.pdf
Tutorials
	Blockly turtle tasks Blockly maze tasks Blockly drawing tasks	Blockly movie tasks Blockly Standard Coding tasks (fill empty functions) Blockly list tasks
Video guides
	Turtle: simple move blocks Turtle: simple drawing blocks Turtle: simple loop blocks Turtle: variables Turtle: print text blocks Turtle: display text blocks Turtle: logic blocks (goes further than required) Turtle: maths blocks (goes further than required)	Turtle: logic blocks Turtle: maths blocks Turtle: functions Turtle: lists(basic) Turtle: lists and loops Answering questions that use functions
Example Challenge	Novices	Explorers

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 February.

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.