Scoring System: How Points Are Calculated
The Hackerverse CTF uses a dynamic scoring system that rewards both skill and speed. The faster you solve a challenge—and the fewer participants who solve it—the more points you earn.
🔄 Dynamic Scoring
Each challenge starts with a point value that decreases as more participants submit correct solutions. This ensures that:
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Early solvers are rewarded with higher points.
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Easier or frequently solved challenges are worth fewer points over time.
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More difficult or rarely solved challenges retain more of their value.
🎯 Point Ranges
Challenges have an initial point value between 10 and 500, based on difficulty and category:
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Apprentice: Very Easy
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Journeyman: Easy
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Master: Medium
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Grandmaster: Hard
📉 How Points Decay
Each challenge tracks three key scoring values:
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Initial: The starting point value
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Decay: The number of solves before the challenge reaches its minimum value
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Minimum: The lowest point value a challenge can have
We use a parabolic decay formula to calculate point values:
value = (((minimum - initial) / (decay²)) * (solve_count²)) + initial
value = math.ceil(value)
If the calculated value drops below the minimum, the system assigns the minimum value instead.
❓ Why Use Parabolic Decay?
Parabolic decay maintains higher value for harder challenges over time, unlike linear or exponential models that reduce points too quickly. This method ensures fair, consistent scoring and encourages early and strategic participation.
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