Expert Overview

The Canadian Computing Competition, run by the University of Waterloo's Centre for Education in Mathematics and Computing, is a three-hour individual programming contest for secondary students, offered at Junior and Senior levels by skill rather than grade. For Canadian participants, top Senior scores lead to the Canadian Computing Olympiad, which selects Canada's International Olympiad in Informatics team.

Format

Individual

Judging Format

Scoring based

Recognition

Opportunity

Grade Eligibility

Rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors

Geographic Eligibility

International

Discipline

CSAlgorithmsData Science

Entries

8675

Percent Awarded

25%

Important Dates

Contest orders open

September 2026

Contest orders deadline

February 11, 2027

North and South America contest dates

February 17, 2027

Outside North and South America contest dates

February 18, 2027

Passed

Open

Approaching: < 1 mo.

Priority: < 2 weeks

Urgent: < 1 week

Registration Cost

Fee

$10

Processing fee

About

Students solve five programming problems worth 15 points each in C, C++, Python, or Java. The contest is written at school under a supervisor and submitted online for $10 per student plus a $5 per-order fee. Generative AI, web search, and collaboration are forbidden; violations bring a zero, a permanent ban, and possible loss of Waterloo admission offers. Students outside Canada's official pool compete unofficially.

In 2026, 3,421 students wrote the Junior contest and 2,439 the Senior. The top 25% earn Certificates of Distinction, and about 20 top Canadian Senior participants are invited to the Canadian Computing Olympiad, with gold medalists receiving $500. Waterloo says participation is not required for admission, though strong results may support scholarship applications.

The competition suits a student with real programming skill, and for those outside Canada it is a rigorous benchmark and certificate rather than an olympiad pipeline.