How it feels to practice for IOAI in Iran

10 hours ago

An Iranian student participates in the AI Olympiad as an alternative to the informatics Olympiad due to perceived difficulty.
The first exam resembles an IQ test, and despite feeling unprepared, the student passes with a low score.
The student studies consistently using resources like the 'One Hundred Page ML' book and Andrew Ng's courses.
A low-cost Telegram course proves valuable despite initial skepticism, helping with understanding and motivation.
The second exam is unexpectedly focused on high-school math and creativity rather than memorized AI concepts.
The student scores 46% on the second exam, similar to peers, and is accepted along with most classmates.
The narrative highlights themes of self-doubt, resourcefulness, and the pursuit of educational opportunities in a competitive environment.

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