Official rules: Prompt Efficiency Challenge, Season 1

1. Sponsor

The Prompt Efficiency Challenge, Season 1 (the "Contest") is run by LLModel.com (the "Sponsor"). The Contest isn't sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, any language model provider, platform or social network.

2. Contest period

The Contest opens on October 10, 2026 and closes on December 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (the "Contest Period"). Entries received after the Contest Period are not eligible. The Sponsor's server time is the official clock.

3. Eligibility

The Contest is open to individuals who have reached the age of majority in their place of residence at the time of entry. Employees and contractors of the Sponsor, judges and members of their immediate households are not eligible. The Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law, and entrants are responsible for checking that they may lawfully enter where they live. Residents of countries or regions subject to applicable sanctions are not eligible.

4. How to enter

Complete the five tasks published on the Contest page using any language model or combination of models. Publish your entry at a publicly accessible link (for example a code gist, document or repository) containing: the exact model names and versions, all prompts used, all outputs, settings that affect output (such as temperature or reasoning effort), token counts per task and the total cost at the provider's list price. Submit the link through the entry form on the Contest page. No purchase or payment is required.

Limit one entry per person. A later submission with the same email address replaces an earlier one. Entries generated or submitted by automated means, entries that copy another entrant's work, and incomplete entries are void.

5. Judging

Winners are determined by skill, not chance. Judges appointed by the Sponsor score each eligible entry out of 100 points: accuracy (60 points, 12 per task, against an answer key and rubric published after the Contest Period), efficiency (30 points; among entries scoring at least 48 accuracy points, the lowest total cost receives 30 points and other entries receive points in proportion to the lowest cost divided by their cost) and reproducibility (10 points). Ties are broken by the earlier final submission time. Judges may rerun prompts to verify results; entries that can't be reproduced within reasonable variation may lose points or be disqualified. The judges' decisions are final.

6. Prizes

First place: $300. Second place: $150. Third place: $50. All amounts are in US dollars and are paid by bank transfer or an online payment service chosen by the Sponsor. Prizes are not transferable, and no substitution is allowed except at the Sponsor's discretion with a prize of equal or greater value. Winners are responsible for any taxes or fees on their prizes. If fewer than three eligible entries are received, only the places that can be filled are awarded. Additional sponsor-funded prizes, if any, will be announced on the Contest page.

7. Winner notification

Potential winners will be notified by email by January 15, 2027 and must reply within 14 days, confirm eligibility and may be asked to sign a declaration of eligibility and release. A potential winner who doesn't respond, can't be verified or doesn't comply with these rules forfeits the prize, and the next-ranked eligible entrant may be selected.

8. Ownership and license

Entrants keep ownership of their entries. By entering, you grant the Sponsor a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to publish, quote and discuss your entry, with credit, on LLModel.com, in its newsletter and in related promotion. You confirm that your entry is your own work and doesn't infringe anyone's rights or break any model provider's terms of service.

9. Privacy

Personal information collected for the Contest is used to administer it, contact entrants and announce winners, as described in the privacy policy. Winners' names and countries may be published.

10. Conduct and changes

The Sponsor may disqualify anyone who tampers with the Contest, breaks these rules or acts in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive way. If the Contest can't run as planned because of technical problems, fraud or causes beyond the Sponsor's control, the Sponsor may modify, suspend or cancel it, subject to any approval required by law, and may award prizes among eligible entries received up to that point.

11. Limitation of liability

To the extent permitted by law, the Sponsor isn't responsible for lost, late or misdirected entries, technical failures, or any injury or loss arising from participation or from accepting a prize. Nothing in these rules limits liability that can't be limited by law.

12. Residents of Quebec

Where required, the Sponsor will comply with the Act respecting lotteries, publicity contests and amusement machines. Any litigation respecting the conduct or organization of a publicity contest may be submitted to the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux for a ruling. Any litigation respecting the awarding of a prize may be submitted to the Régie only for the purpose of helping the parties reach a settlement.

13. Governing law

These rules are governed by the laws of the Province of Quebec and the federal laws of Canada that apply there, without affecting any mandatory consumer protections where you live.

14. Questions

Questions about the Contest? Use our contact page.