IEEEXtreme
IEEE's global 24-hour programming competition for teams of up to three IEEE Student or Graduate Student members, held every October. Teams compete from their own university under a local proctor and solve a set of algorithmic problems released through the day. It is one of the most accessible team contests for students in South Asia.
24 hours
ieeextreme.org · Oct 2026
Up to 3 IEEE student members
ieeextreme.org · Oct 2026
Programme
Career Growth
IEEE
24 hours
Intermediate
Free
Competition
- When
- Usually opens in August, September and OctoberTeam registration usually opens in late summer and closes in October, a week or two before the contest. Local deadlines vary by host.
- Who can apply
- Teams of up to three IEEE Student or Graduate Student members (at most two graduate members per team), with IEEE membership numbers and a proctor at the institution. Universities can enter several teams.
- Where
- Online, global, from your university
Dates move from year to year. Check the official page before you plan around them.
What it is
IEEEXtreme is a yearly 24-hour programming competition run by IEEE. Teams log in at the same moment worldwide and solve a set of problems during the 24 hours, in a format similar to competitive programming contests. Results are ranked globally and by IEEE region. IEEEXtreme 19.0 ran in October 2025.
Who can apply
From the official eligibility page: all participants must be IEEE Student members or Graduate Student members, with membership numbers. Teams have up to three members, with no more than two graduate students per team, and each team needs a proctor, usually a faculty member or IEEE volunteer who is not a competitor. A university can enter several teams. The proctor must not help solve problems.
Timeline
The contest is held in October each year. Registration usually opens in late summer and closes shortly before the contest; local IEEE branches often set earlier internal deadlines. Check the official site and your IEEE student branch.
How to prepare
- Join IEEE as a student member through your university's IEEE student branch, early enough for your membership number to be active.
- Form a team with mixed strengths and agree how you will split 24 hours, including sleep shifts.
- Practise past IEEEXtreme problems and team contests on Codeforces Gym.
- Find a proctor early; the branch counsellor is often the easiest route.
What you get
A global and regional ranking, certificates for participants and prizes for top teams. The bigger gain is the experience of a long team contest and the link it creates with your IEEE branch.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if your university has an active IEEE branch. The membership fee is a cost to weigh, and some branches support it. For many students in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh it is easier to enter than the ICPC, while training the same skills.
Pair it with on Sefism
- Follow the Competitive programming roadmap and cheat sheet.
- Review patterns with the DSA roadmap.
- Move on to ICPC with the same team.
Best for: IEEE student members who want a team contest that fits around university life.
Ready to start?
Opens on IEEE in a new tab.
Stuck on something specific?
Writing only gets you so far. If you want an answer to your situation rather than the general case, book a session and we will work through it together. Sessions are free for approved Sefism members, and a few slots open each week.
Follow along
New writing, resources and project ideas land here first.