Understand the problem, break it down, use patterns, and apply the right data structures and algorithms.

Solving competitive programming problems efficiently requires a methodical approach. First, thoroughly understand the problem statement and the constraints. Then break the problem down into smaller components or subproblems. Once you have a plan, choose the right data structures and algorithms, considering both time and space complexity. Efficient solutions often involve applying known patterns such as dynamic programming, divide-and-conquer, or greedy algorithms. Testing with edge cases and optimizing your code based on feedback from runtime errors is also essential. Over time, you'll develop the intuition needed to identify which techniques work best for different types of problems.