Just needed a clarity on the rules for the ESB. Does it mean that there are multiple solutions to the image and we need to answer how many solutions are there?? Or am I missing something??

Rishi

That is not the question. There is exactly one solution to this puzzle.

In a valid ESB loop, every alternate turn is marked by a circle. In this puzzle, you have to draw few loops so that each loop satisfies ESB rule.
The question is "Exactly how many loops must be drawn."

Note that it is NOT being asked what is the minimum or what is the maximum number of loops that could be drawn.
Exactly n loops can be drawn so that each of the n loops satisfy ESB rule. You have to find out n.

One more example to help you understand


Click 'Show' to see answer

Thanks for the example... now I understood :)

Rishi

Hi,

Could you give a brief description of what the demo is and how it works... This will help all participants understand it better. Since this is a first time for a screen test, I assume most of us would not be familiar with the usage... Though the demo gives a nice feel of the test, but would appreciate a description for the benefit of all....

Rishi

Since this is the first time we are having a Screen Test, we decided to have a Demo page.
The Demo page works exactly like the actual puzzle test page.
You can login, start the test, puzzles will appear and you can answer.
The most critical part of the Demo page is you can see the 90-seconds review period in action. [ so you can plan how to best use the 90-seconds during the actual test ]
Of course, the demo page has only 5 puzzles and the actual test will have 25 puzzles.

So it will be good for everyone to login and start the test in Demo page. Note that we'll disable to Demo page 24 hours before ST#1 starts.

Irrespective of whether one takes the Demo or not, everyone should check the 25 puzzle types, instructions, examples.
There won't be much time during the test to understand the rules.

Hope that clarifies.

the demo puzzle and example has been changed.
It is now a regular kakuro (with unique solution).

So am I right in seeing that you are penalized for wrong answers, but you have to submit an answer to the puzzle to get to the next one? And the IB says something about being able to go back to puzzles you skipped in the review period... I guess by skipped it means 'intentionally guessed'?

1. You get penalized for wrong answers, but obviously no negative points for not answering a question.
2. After the timer is over, you will automatically be shown the next puzzle (irrespective of whether you have answered the previous one or not)

So, that means, you can't skip a puzzle - you have to wait till 45 (or 60) seconds are over to go to the next puzzle.
So if you decide to skip a puzzle (for whatever reasons), don't select any answer, rather wait for the timer to be over.

Yikes, that's pretty scary... But now that I think about it I guess there isn't a time advantage to skipping a puzzle early, since every puzzle has a set time. I guess if you encounter a puzzle you're sure you won't answer, it's a good chance to catch a breath!!

I rushed and did the Demo before reading the IB... because I was overly excited/intrigued... On the review page, is it possible to change an answer to 'no answer' ?

(And by scary I mean in an intense and exciting awesome way )

I agree with you. If I'm not comfortable with a puzzle type and decide to skip it, I would catch some breath while the timer runs out till next puzzle.
In the review page, you CAN change the answer to 'no answer'.

If we skip any puzzzle do we come back to it again if time is left..............I Mean if am able to do 10 out of 25 and miss 15 in between and have say 5 mins left.... will I be able to have a try on the missed ones...........
another point ....Can we have a skip button?? to save time and come back to the puzzle at a later time.............

Another point... Can we have a bigger digital timer.....just below the puzzle (instead of Right hand corner)

It is not possible to come back to a puzzle like you mention.
Each puzzle has a 'fixed time', and it should be solved within that fixed time.

You can view / switch back-and-forth among any puzzle during the 90-seconds review period. But that time is fixed for everyone - whether you have solved 5 puzzles or 20 puzzles.

A bigger digital timer or a different color progress bar is something we could do easily.
But trust me that it is very disturbing and intrusive.

Irrespective of the size of timer, the number of seconds you have is not going to change.
You should rather never look at the timer, and just try to solve a puzzle in as few seconds as possible.

We also changed the Middle Stick colors.
Here is the updated example

Can anyone explain me the puzzle Lucky Column, if possible with an example..

Take a look at this puzzle below. A simple 6x6 puzzle. You need to shade all circles in some (generally two or more) columns such that every row has exactly one shaded circle. So, if you shade the 1st, 4th and 6th columns, you can easily see the conditions satisfied.







Attachments
----------------
Puzzle.png (3KB - 5 downloads)
Solution.png (3KB - 2 downloads)

In the Screen Test, you will be given a puzzle like the one given below, though, bigger than a 6x6. If you solve this puzzle, you will realise there are two solutions. But both solutions contain the 2nd column. So, Column B is the 'lucky column' :-)

Click to show to see all the solutions


(Note: There might be more than two solutions of the puzzle, but EVERY solution contains the one LUCKY COLUMN)





Attachments
----------------
Puzzle.png (3KB - 1 downloads)

Thanks a lot Rohan. I guess I am ready for the competition


Edited by macherlakumar 2010-12-03 9:54 AM

Demo button has been disabled.

The timings of the Screen Test is a little different from the usual monthly tests. It overlaps the usual timings and is for a longer period:

Start Time:
22:00 IST (16:30 GMT) on Friday.

End Time:
22:00 IST (16:30 GMT) on Monday.

That amounts to a period of 72 hours.
Screen Test 1 start 8hrs from now :-)

Checkout some interesting feedbacks about ST1 here

Screen Test 1 has started.

Good luck to all participants! :-)