Overview
The Japanese Olympiad in Informatics (JOI) is Japan's programming competition for school students. The facts below come from the official 2023/24 qualifier page, so check the current year's page for new dates and eligibility rules.
Levels or stages
First qualifier
Taken online through a web browser, from home or school, with four problems. In 2023/24 it was held three times (16 September, 15 October and 18 November 2023), each from 14:00 to 15:20. A score of 300 points earns B-rank, which gives the right to enter the second qualifier.
Second qualifier
Online, with five problems. In 2023/24 it was held on 10 December 2023 from 13:00 to 16:00. Top performers receive A-rank, with the cut-off set so that no more than 160 students qualify.
Final round and spring training camp
The qualifier page also refers to a final round and a spring training camp but gives no dates or format for them in the page reviewed.
Preparation tips
Practise implementing solutions to programming problems in a language you know well under time limits.
Can I retake the first qualifier?
In 2023/24 the first qualifier was offered on three dates in autumn. The page reviewed does not state a limit on attempts, so check the current rules.