Thread - LMI Monthly Sudoku Tests - F. A. Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

@ 2011-09-26 7:55 AM (#5696 - in reply to #5632) (#5696) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 7:55 AM

How do I submit answers / solutions?

In most Sudoku tests, there are 2 ways to submit answer.
1) Paper mode : Download the password protected pdf, unlock it using the password, print, and solve on paper. Submit the answer codes using the 'answer form' meant for paper solvers.
2) Online mode : Sudoku grids are also available to be solved online. You can solve and submit online as well.
Note : Some tests may not have online modes. (Effective from May'2011). The information will usually be posted in forum. Please ask in forum, if it is not already posted.

Paper Mode

Typically, each Sudoku has 2 answer codes. They could be rows / columns or any combination of them. It will be marked in the pdf. After you solve the sudoku, enter the answer code using the paper form.

Please read the answer codes carefully (preferably before you start the test)
After solving on paper, submit the answer codes for each puzzle you have solved.

After filling your answer, if the text box does not completely turn white, it means answer code has a typo or a formatting error. (i.e. you are entering something unexpected and there is an error in your answer code)

Please fix it before submitting. Even if red warnings are present, your submission will be recorded after you click on Submit button.
Also, note that if a text box doesn't have red warning next to it, that doesn't mean the puzzle is correct.

Online Mode
If you scroll down below the 'paper form', you would see flash for the Sudoku grids which can be solved online.
This has basic features like pencil marks, undo, coloring.
It is important that you get familiar with LMI flash if you are planning to use it during the test.
[ One note : To remove a pencil mark, you can "Control+left mouse click" on the number OR press "Control+digit" in the keyboard ]

Each Sudoku has a submit button. Click on Submit as soon as you are complete.

Paper Vs Online
We don't recommend which mode to use. You must decide that yourself (depending upon factors like printer availability, type/size of Sudoku etc)
Even you might decide to solve some sudokus in paper mode and some using online.

Submissions via email or any other means will not be accepted.

Edited by debmohanty 2011-09-26 8:17 AM

@ 2011-09-26 8:01 AM (#5697 - in reply to #5632) (#5697) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:01 AM

When do I click submit button? Can I click submit button multiple times?

You can click Submit button as many times as you want. You last recorded answer for every sudoku (either from online or paper mode) will be considered for scoring.
You should adopt a submission method that is most suitable for you. For example, you might (solve one sudoku and submit) OR (solve couple of sudokus and submit) OR (solve all sudokus and submit at the end).

If you are solving online, you don't need to again submit using paper mode. It is timing consuming and error-prone

If you are participating for first time, we would recommend that you submit every half an hour or so. It is important to know how much time you take for entering the answer codes. There is nothing worse than solving a sudoku correctly on paper, but not being able to enter the answer code because of lack of time.

Also note that we store individual submission time for each sudoku. In all tests same scores are sorted by last sudoku timestamp. So it is not a bad idea to submit all your solved sudokus 10 or 15 minutes before your timer ends.

At this point, LMI doesn't use a "grace period" concept. It is absolutely left to you to submit all sudokus before your timer ends.

@ 2011-09-26 8:05 AM (#5698 - in reply to #5632) (#5698) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:05 AM

What is Claim Bonus button?

In Jun'2011, LMI introduced something called "Claim Bonus". This equivalent to "turning in your paper after completing all puzzles" in an offline event. This button is placed next to "Submit" button.

Most LMI tests are designed such that top solvers are expected to solve all puzzles within the time limit. Therefore every test has a "time bonus" which is awarded if all puzzles are solved before time. Typically the "time bonus" per minute is around "total points in the test" / "length of the test".

As soon as you complete and submit all sudokus, you should "Claim Bonus". It is not a bad idea to check all submissions once because you can no more submit or change your answer after you claim bonus. Bonus points are computed from the time when you "Claim Bonus", not from the time when you last submitted your answer.

Also note that "Claim Bonus" also submits all answers those are not submitted. So, if you want to save few seconds after entering all your answers, you can directly click on "Claim Bonus" button.

Some tests have "partial bonus points". This is awarded when the player submits all sudokus, but one of them is wrong. Administrators and test authors reserve the right to determine if the player has made a genuine attempt at the sudoku. If they believe so, partial bonus points are given (which is much less that 'full' bonus points)

@ 2011-09-26 8:06 AM (#5699 - in reply to #5632) (#5699) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:06 AM

I have completed the test. How do I know my score?

The link to score page is available at the test submission page.

Note that while the test is running
1) you can view the score page from the same browser you took the test from
2) you can see only your submitted answers.
3) in most cases, you should be able to see others' overall score (no breakdown)
4) you can not refresh the score page more than once in a 30 minutes time period

LMI likes to experiment with the score pages, and so in some tests you might notice some oddities :-) Typically they are not 'bugs', however if you believe that something is definitely wrong, please post in forum.

After the test is over
1) you can see everyone else's submitted answers and time of submission
2) you can see correct answer for every puzzle
3) there is no restriction on refresh time (though the score page is unlikely to change anyway)

@ 2011-09-26 8:09 AM (#5700 - in reply to #5632) (#5700) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:09 AM

I made an obvious typo while submitting. Can I get points for that?

In most Sudokus tests, claims are allowed only for typos for cells with given clues. If there is no "online solving mode" for the Sudoku test, we might be more lenient.

Claims are made from the score page. Click on the "Claim Points" button for the respective sudoku and leave a short message for the organizers to check your claim

Organizers and authors review all claims from time to time during the test. If your claim is successful, you would see points for the puzzle. Otherwise, you would see an 'X'.

Most of times, you would receive a PM in your forum inbox regarding your claim.

Note that
1) Organizers and authors have to convince themselves that the claim can be awarded. We've seen in the past that most claims are unsuccessful :-(
2) Irrespective of whether you claim or not, all wrong submissions are reviewed before the score page is made public.
3) Claims will not be allowed after the score page is made public.

Edited by debmohanty 2011-09-26 8:19 AM

@ 2011-09-26 8:09 AM (#5701 - in reply to #5632) (#5701) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:09 AM

What software do I need on my machine to be able to participate in LMI tests?

You need 2 different software.
1)
Adobe Acrobat Reader - This is needed to open pdf (Portable Document format) files.
Instructions Booklet and Puzzle Booklet are always uploaded using this format.
It is important that you have some recent version of acrobat reader.

Download link - http://get.adobe.com/reader/

2)
Adobe Flash Player - This is needed to login and submit in the test page.
Unlike other sites, LMI uses Flash player for submission and score page for several reasons.
It is important that you have latest version of Flash Player.

Download link - http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

In most computers these 2 are already installed. Unless you are using a brand new computer, you are all set to participate.

Since you are able to read this page, you definitely are using some browser. It is always good to have the latest version of that browser installed.
Also, javascript needs to be enabled in your browser.

LMI does not use any browser specific mechanism, however LMI web pages (forum and test pages) look best using Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.

@ 2011-09-26 8:10 AM (#5702 - in reply to #5632) (#5702) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:10 AM

When is the next LMI Sudoku test? How do I get notified?

The schedule for LMI tests are published at this thread
This link is same as "Monthly Tests" link you see at the top of the web page.

Also, link to the next active test is always available in forum (top right corner)

Typically, monthly tests are announced 10 days before the test dates.

We also send emails to players if they have participated in earlier monthly tests.

Apart from LMI forum, we also announce about tests in other puzzle forums (UKPA, forum.logic-masters.de, sudokuvariante.forumactif.com, forsmarts.com/forum, wpf forum)

@ 2011-09-26 8:10 AM (#5703 - in reply to #5632) (#5703) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:10 AM

What is the typical life cycle of a monthly test?

In most cases,

A test is announced 10 days before it starts.

Instruction Booklet (IB) is available a week before it starts.

Discussion (mainly doubts / questions / strategies on the puzzles) take place in the corresponding thread through out the week. Minor changes to IB is possible based on these discussions.

Password protected puzzle booklet is available at least 6 hours before the test starts.

Flash Submission is enabled 6 hours before the test starts.

Tests typically run for 48 hours during the weekend. (Most LMI tests starts from 00:00:01 Saturday GMT)

While the test is running, score page is available only to those who have participated.

The score page is made public immediately after the test is over and Winners are announced.

Player provide feedback about the test and it goes through lot of analysis.

Within 48 hours after the test, LMI ratings are updated after including the test scores.

Around 5 days after the test, it is marked as inactive, and we plan for the next test.

@ 2011-09-26 8:11 AM (#5704 - in reply to #5632) (#5704) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2011-09-26 8:11 AM

I see from score page that sudokus are rated. How do I rate sudokus?

Sudokus can be rated from the test submission page. Rating stars are available below each sudoku. Click on the star to rate the sudokus. (More stars means better puzzle)

There is no submit button, just clicking on the star is enough. If you've rated a puzzle, the stars will have a different color.

Authors look forward to any kind of feedback regarding the sudokus. It is nice to rate the sudokus. [But please don't experiment with the stars - we have seen that some players just click on the stars for fun. It is not advisable ]

It is not necessary to rate the sudokus while the timer is on. In fact, we recommend that you rate the sudokus only after you finish the test.

Starting Jan'2011, the ratings are made anonymous (that means no player can see what other player has rated)

@ 2012-01-03 4:01 PM (#6349 - in reply to #5632) (#6349) Top

Administrator

Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2012-01-03 4:01 PM

Key / mouse controls for online Solving

What?	Keyboard	Mouse
Add a confirmed digit	type the digit	Right Click, Fill digit
Add a pencil mark in an empty cell	type the digit twice
Add pencil mark in a cell which has a digit or other pencil marks	just type the digit
Remove pencil mark	press control and the digit	Control + click on this digit
Confirm pencil mark	type the digit	click on this digit
Delete a confirmed digit	"Space" or "Del" or "Zero"	Right Click, Clear

If Sudoku has letters, they work exactly same as digits.

@ 2012-05-13 3:32 PM (#7244 - in reply to #5632) (#7244) Top

ramanklsd

Posts: 1

Country : India

ramanklsd posted @ 2012-05-13 3:32 PM

is this game online or offline(8*8 sudoku 12 to 14 may)?

@ 2012-05-13 4:56 PM (#7245 - in reply to #7244) (#7245) Top

prasanna16391

Posts: 1801

Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2012-05-13 4:56 PM

ramanklsd - 2012-05-13 3:32 PM

is this game online or offline(8*8 sudoku 12 to 14 may)?

There is no online solving for this test.

You will need to download the Puzzle PDFs on the test page (http://logicmastersindia.com/M201205S/), then start either Part to get its password, unlock the PDF, and solve the puzzles either on computer using some Paint-like software or take a printout and solve on paper. Read the Instruction Booklet for how to enter answers and all, also on the link.

@ 2013-01-30 9:19 AM (#9613 - in reply to #5632) (#9613) Top

gratitude18

Posts: 2

Country : Canada

gratitude18 posted @ 2013-01-30 9:19 AM

I have registered first time on LMI. However I lost my user ID . How can get it?

@ 2013-01-30 9:54 AM (#9614 - in reply to #9613) (#9614) Top

Administrator

Country : India

Administrator posted @ 2013-01-30 9:54 AM

gratitude18 - 2013-01-30 9:19 AM

I have registered first time on LMI. However I lost my user ID . How can get it?

Your user id is gratitude18 and password is same as used to login to this forum.

@ 2013-07-28 2:21 PM (#11951 - in reply to #5632) (#11951) Top

kart

Posts: 1

kart posted @ 2013-07-28 2:21 PM

I would like to participate in the LMI test

@ 2013-07-28 3:23 PM (#11952 - in reply to #11951) (#11952) Top

prasanna16391

Posts: 1801

Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-07-28 3:23 PM

kart - 2013-07-28 2:21 PM

I would like to participate in the LMI test

As of now, these is no monthly test announced, but keep a lookout in the forum for such announcements. The next important contest here will be the Indian Sudoku Championship.

@ 2013-08-08 10:18 PM (#12124 - in reply to #5632) (#12124) Top

prachibhanushali

Posts: 1

Country : India

prachibhanushali posted @ 2013-08-08 10:18 PM

the instruction manual for 2013 ISC shows the start time to be 1400 hrs IST. but here it shows to be 00:01 hrs GMT. what time do we expct the test to be uploaded?

@ 2013-08-08 11:57 PM (#12125 - in reply to #12124) (#12125) Top

prasanna16391

Posts: 1801

Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2013-08-08 11:57 PM

prachibhanushali - 2013-08-08 10:18 PM

the instruction manual for 2013 ISC shows the start time to be 1400 hrs IST. but here it shows to be 00:01 hrs GMT. what time do we expct the test to be uploaded?

Hi. This is the general F.A.Q. that deals mainly with the monthly tests. The ISC is a bit of a special test because it is a national championship and so it will be at 1400 hrs IST as mentioned on the submission page. The details above are mainly an effective way to learn how to use the site, participate in the contests, and use the interface.

@ 2013-08-11 2:04 PM (#12183 - in reply to #5632) (#12183) Top

VinaySonawane

Posts: 2

Country : India

VinaySonawane posted @ 2013-08-11 2:04 PM

the test has not started still?

@ 2014-05-31 11:03 AM (#15537 - in reply to #5696) (#15537) Top

anamika

Posts: 1

Country : India

anamika posted @ 2014-05-31 11:03 AM

plz would u tell me how to submit the code while starting

@ 2014-05-31 12:39 PM (#15539 - in reply to #15537) (#15539) Top

prasanna16391

Posts: 1801

Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2014-05-31 12:39 PM

anamika - 2014-05-31 11:03 AM

plz would u tell me how to submit the code while starting

Once you start there will be a bunch of submission boxes appearing. Its not exactly the same but check the IPC Demo page we set up for the Indian Puzzle Championship earlier. The submission boxes will similarly appear once you login and click start. The only difference is there will be a submission button below each Sudoku name to let you submit and let you know immediately if its right or wrong.

If you meant what codes to enter, each Sudoku will have 2 arrows outside the grid, A and B. Each Sudoku will contain 2 boxes on the submission page. Enter the 9 digits along the row/column A in the top box and the 9 digits along row/column B in the bottom box.

@ 2014-06-01 8:39 AM (#15557 - in reply to #5632) (#15557) Top

Jyoti singh

Posts: 1

Country : India

Jyoti singh posted @ 2014-06-01 8:39 AM

If i want to solve this sudoku through mobile this is possible or not

@ 2014-06-01 8:42 AM (#15558 - in reply to #15557) (#15558) Top

debmohanty

Country : India

debmohanty posted @ 2014-06-01 8:42 AM

Jyoti singh - 2014-06-01 8:39 AM

If i want to solve this sudoku through mobile this is possible or not

Not possible for ISC

@ 2017-03-15 8:21 AM (#22671 - in reply to #5632) (#22671) Top

aquinaspv

Posts: 1

aquinaspv posted @ 2017-03-15 8:21 AM

Do you provide any orientation classes or training classes for students? if yes, when and where?

@ 2017-03-15 1:30 PM (#22672 - in reply to #22671) (#22672) Top

prasanna16391

Posts: 1801

Country : India

prasanna16391 posted @ 2017-03-15 1:30 PM

aquinaspv - 2017-03-15 8:21 AM

Do you provide any orientation classes or training classes for students? if yes, when and where?

Sorry but no. However, I recommend just asking your queries on the forum and being regular on contests. For one thing, these kind of puzzles and Sudoku variants are easier to get used to with interaction and regular solving, and for another you will potentially get responses from some of the world's best solvers :) You may score low on contests at the start, but that is completely fine, we've all been there.