An Elo-based rating system for TopCoder SRM

About

This paper presents an Elo-based rating system for programming contests, specifically Topcoder's Single Round Matches (SRMs). We introduce a logarithmic rank-based performance metric that allows single-round, multi-player contest results to be incorporated into an Elo-style continuous rating framework. Model parameters and adjustment factors are calibrated empirically by minimizing absolute prediction error over historical data, accounting for experience level, initial ratings, and competition characteristics. The resulting system demonstrates improved rank predictions and rating progressions consistent with natural skill development over player careers.

Fred Batty · 2019

Related benchmarks

Task	Dataset	Result
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM (All players)	Delta R17.6	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM players (First round)	Delta R54.5	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM players (2–7 rounds)	∆R29.8	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM players (8–24 rounds)	Rating Change (∆R)12.2	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM players (75–199 rounds)	Rating Change (∆R)0.5	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM 200+ rounds players	∆R-0.7	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM Division 1	Delta R9.3	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM (Division 2)	∆R18.6	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM Division 2 Top Half	Rating Change (∆R)64	2
Rating Prediction	TopCoder SRM Division 2 Bottom Half	Rating Change (ΔR)-26.8	2