OFFICIAL RULES & REGULATIONS
Complete regulatory framework for IEEEXtreme 20.0 (31 October 2026). Featuring revised 2026 guidelines, dual-track AI policies, and proctor governance.
New for 2026 (IEEEXtreme 20)
Major dual-track task paradigm introduced for the 20th anniversary edition.
1. Game-Type Tasks (AI Allowed)
Teams will interact with automated bots — and in specific challenges, other teams’ programs — through standard input (stdin) and output (stdout).
- Simulates real-time competitive problem solving.
- Requires programs to adapt dynamically to evolving game environments.
- AI and algorithmic assistant tools are permitted on these specific tasks.
2. Locked-Workspace Tasks (AI Prohibited)
These tasks strictly prohibit all artificial intelligence usage. To enforce absolute integrity, teams must write all code directly inside the official competition workspace.
- Copy-and-paste from external sources will be disabled.
- Teams are strongly encouraged to become familiar with the workspace before contest day.
- Zero external generative assistance permitted.
Prior to competition, teams may upload their custom code libraries, up to 100 kilobytes, at csacademy.com/workspace/template ↗.
23:59 UTC, 26 September 2026
23:59 UTC, 29 October 2026
Teams may customize starting templates that load automatically when a new task unlocks, and attach additional library files from which code can be manually copied. All modifications must be finalized before a task begins.
Competition Schedule & Duration
Official start and end times across all time zones worldwide.
IEEEXtreme 20.0 will commence precisely at 00:00:00 UTC and conclude at 23:59:59 UTC on 31 October 2026.
* The Sponsor reserves the right to adjust start and/or end times should operational necessity arise. No extensions are granted for localized internet or hardware outages.
Eligibility & Team Composition
Membership criteria, graduate student limits, and college affiliation guidelines.
- Active IEEE Membership: All participants must be active IEEE Student or Graduate Student members in good standing. IEEE membership numbers are mandatory during registration.
- Squad Roster: Teams consist of 1, 2, or 3 members. A team may include a maximum of 2 Graduate Student members.
- Age Requirement: All team members must be at least 18 years of age at the time of official registration.
- Strict Substitution Prohibition: Only registered members may participate. Substituting unregistered coders is strictly prohibited and results in immediate disqualification of the entire team.
- Campus Affiliation: Multiple teams can compete from the same university, college, or IEEE Student Branch.
Proctor Roles & The Proctor of Record
Rules governing faculty advisors, proctor shift handoffs, and verification duties.
Every team must be continuously supervised by an authorized Proctor throughout all 24 hours of the marathon.
Eligible Proctor Profiles
- • IEEE Professional Members (Higher Grade than Student)
- • Student Branch Counselors and Faculty Mentors
- • University Professors, Deans, and IEEE Senior Members
- • IEEE Young Professionals with valid Higher Grade
Proctor Responsibilities
- • Monitor team flow throughout the 24 hours
- • Announce checkpoints (Start, Halfway, 6h left, 1h left)
- • Guarantee zero external assistance or ghostwriting
- • Max 20 teams supervised per proctor; shifts allowed
Proctor Constraints: Proctors are strictly forbidden from helping teams solve problems, suggesting algorithm techniques, or recommending programming languages. However, proctors MAY assist participants with technical issues regarding the competition UI and environment.
Scoring Methodology & Tie-Breaking
Mathematical formula for task weights, partial scoring, and earliest submission ties.
IEEEXtreme utilizes a dynamic scoring schematic. 30 points are awarded for solving all test cases, with up to 70 additional points dynamically credited based on real-time task difficulty.
If many teams solve a task, it is deemed relatively easy and awards fewer bonus points. If few teams solve it, it yields the maximum difficulty bonus. Scores fluctuate dynamically on the live scoreboard.
Interactive Scoring Formula Simulator
Experience how the real-time dynamic difficulty bonus scales during the 24-hour marathon
* Note: Submission time is utilized as the primary tie-breaker. Submitting earlier yields a higher ranking in tied scores.
Fair Play, Code Plagiarism & Disqualification
Automated AST detection, source code sharing bans, and strict AI policies.
Plagiarism is established when two (2) or more different teams’ submissions demonstrate unreasonable syntactic or algorithmic similarity. Sharing solutions in full or in part with other participants is strictly prohibited and results in immediate disqualification of all involved squads.
Prize Distribution & Legal Disclaimers
Conference travel awards, cash prizes, merchandise bundles, and official tax disclaimers.
Trip to Any IEEE Conference
Airfare, 3-night hotel accommodations & registration (up to $10,000 value).
$400 & $300 / Member
Direct cash honors, commemorative plaques, and worldwide distinction.
Exclusive Swag Bundles
Limited edition IEEEXtreme apparel, gear, and regional commendations.
Taxes, if any, are the sole responsibility of each winning team member. Sponsor makes no warranties or disclaimers concerning the prizes beyond those customarily given by the manufacturer of the prizes. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute different prizes of approximately equivalent value in its sole discretion. Void where prohibited by law.
Venue Requirements & IEEE Code of Ethics
Facilities, virtual environments, and ethical commitments required of all entrants.
The Proctor of Record and participating squad must agree in advance on a physical venue (e.g. university computer laboratory) or secure virtual communication system (Zoom, Google Meet, WebEx).
- • Continuous power, internet, and adequate rest spaces recommended for 24-hour marathons.
- • Entrants must adhere to the IEEE Code of Ethics and IEEE Member Conduct standards.
- • All disputes are subject to binding individual arbitration in Newark, New Jersey.