FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where are the coding templates?
Please find them here. There's also a link to a Github repo when you click on Problemset, under the title and above the category tabs.
The command python code.py < 1.in does not work on Windows Powershell. What should I do?
On Windows Powershell, please try:
Get-Content 1.in | python .code.py instead.
My code provides the correct answers for all the .in files, but it is not getting judged as correct.
While the sample cases are passing, we also use some secret data to judge your submission. Your submission might not be working for the secret data, which means that your solution does not work for a generic input.
I can’t submit my questions on DOMJudge, the submit button won’t do anything.

Please check that you’re doing the following:

  1. Upload your .py file *first*, and then select the question you have solved from the drop-down menu. Then press the submit button. Doing the reverse order causes errors for some users.
  2. Make sure the file you are uploading has a .py extension.
  3. Make sure to de-active any ad-blockers that may be interfering with your submission.
When will QHack 2022 take place?
This year's QHack takes place February 14-25.
Is there a deadline to sign up?
No. Participants can sign up at any time up until the last day of QHack (February 25th).
Does it cost anything to attend QHack?
No, attendance is FREE for everyone!
How do I know if I have been successfully registered?
You should have received a confirmation email after you signed up. Please check your spam folder in the event you didn't receive a confirmation email to your main inbox.
How do I get updates about the event?
Once you sign up you will receive email updates.
What is the format for the hackathon?
The hackathon will consist of two stages. In the QHack Coding Challenge, you will tackle a set of quantum computing questions of various difficulty levels. In the QHack Open Hackathon, teams will have one week to build a free-form hackathon project. There are multiple prizes and power ups you can win in both the Challenges and the Open Hackathon.
What skill level do I need to have to participate?
There is something for everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned experts. Check out PennyLane QML website and the Xanadu Quantum Codebook to prepare.
What software do I need to use for the hackathon?
The QHack Coding Challenges are based on PennyLane. For the Open Hackathon, you may use whatever software you prefer.
Will the talks be recorded and available later?
Yes. The talks will be available as videos-on-demand shortly after airing. The talks will be re-posted on the Xanadu YouTube channel at a later time.
Do I have to form a team?
No. Individuals can take part in the hackathon challenges independently. There is no distinction on the scoreboard between teams of one or teams with multiple members. Attendees can also choose to follow our livestream content without taking on the hackathon challenges.
What is the maximum team size?
We recommend a maximum team size of 3 people. Some hackathon challenges will have restrictions on the number of available prizes, so take this into account when forming teams.
How do I find a team?
Recruit friends, work colleagues, classmates, or put the call out in existing communities such as the PennyLane discussion forum, the Xanadu Slack, the Unitary Fund Discord, or the QOSF Slack.
How can I connect with others who are taking part in QHack?
For general discussion about QHack, join the Xanadu Slack and introduce yourself on the #qhack channel.
When will my swag pack arrive?
We have provided swag packs to a limited number of early-bird attendees. We will be posting them before the event. While we hope that swag packs will arrive in a timely manner, please note that postal delays could cause packs to arrive later than expected.
Are there prizes?
Yes! Check here for an overview of prizes and power ups. More prizes are being announced in the lead-up to the event.
Do I need to submit reference letters and grade transcripts for the CERN internship?
Yes, you need to submit all of the information required here by Jan 31st at 6AM EST.
How do I know if I was one of the first 100 people to sign up?
You should have received an email on January 6th informing that you were one of the first 100 people to sign up. If you did not receive an email, there are still plenty of other ways to win swag; visit the qhack.ai/prizes page to learn more.
Are there example challenge questions I can look at?
We will not be sharing specific example questions before the event. You can review the source code from the QHack 2021 challenges on the QHack 2021 github QML_Challenges page. To best prepare, visit the PennyLane QML website and study the Xanadu Quantum Codebook.
Are existing sign-ups still eligible to win the $50 Amazon Gift card?
Yes, anyone who has signed up from January 5th when sign-ups opened will be eligible to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card.
My team name has already been taken! What do I do?
Team names are unique, the only way to guarantee your favourite name in the QHack Coding Challenge web portal is to create an account and grab it early. If your team has multiple members, check if one of your teammates has already created an account. While people can work in teams, each member of the team has to sign up for the event (though only one login will be needed for the challenges).
What is the expected workload for completing the QHack Coding Challenge questions?
Multiple Coding Challenge questions will be available, with different levels of difficulty. It is up to you how much time you would like to put in; simply choose a question to start with, and go from there! There is no requirement to answer every question.