PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition

The picoCTF Competition, created by security experts at Carnegie Mellon University, is an online cybersecurity competition designed especially for middle and high school students. Participants solve “capture the flag” (CTF) challenges across topics such as cryptography, binary exploitation, web security, forensics, and reverse engineering. Problems are organized from beginner-friendly to advanced, so you can start with basic concepts and progress to more complex technical skills at your own pace.

This program is a strong fit if you enjoy problem-solving, puzzles, and computer science, even if you are new to cybersecurity. Students can compete individually or as part of a team, making it suitable for classrooms, computer science clubs, or independent learners. picoCTF also offers educational resources and practice challenges year-round, helping you build foundational skills in programming, critical thinking, and digital security.

Participation can be a meaningful addition to your college applications, especially if you’re interested in computer science, engineering, or related fields. The competition demonstrates initiative, resilience in tackling difficult problems, and experience with real-world cybersecurity concepts. Students can highlight:

• Independent learning and technical skills
• Experience working through multi-step, open-ended problems
• Engagement with a nationally recognized cybersecurity competition

How much does PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition cost?

PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition is free. Its official page says “free cybersecurity learning platform”. That sentence is what we verified — if you need to budget for anything it does not mention, check the page.

What is the application deadline for PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition?

Our catalog holds March 18, 2027, carried over from PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition's previous cycle, and we have not found that date on the program's own page — so treat it as a placeholder, not a deadline, and confirm it at https://picoctf.org/.

Who is eligible for PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition?

Our catalog has PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition open to high school students in grades 9–12, unconfirmed against the program's own page — check it before you rule yourself in or out, since eligibility is often narrower than a grade range suggests (age floors, "must have completed" rules, enrolment status).

Is PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition online or in person?

PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition is fully online — students can participate from anywhere with an internet connection.

How do I apply to PicoCTF Cybersecurity Competition?

Apply directly through Carnegie Mellon University's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.