# Programming - Skill Progression Guide (post–December update + updated after April patch)

**URL:** <https://forum.playinzoi.com/t/topic/9393>\
**Category:** Tips & Guides\
**Tags:** skill\
**Created:** [January 21, 2026, 3:51am UTC](https://forum.playinzoi.com/t/topic/9393 "2026-01-21T03:51:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 3

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**Author:** ![EllaEstella](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/krafton/user_avatar/forum.playinzoi.com/ellaestella/32/6025_2.png) [@EllaEstella](https://forum.playinzoi.com/u/EllaEstella)\
**Post date:** [March 11, 2026, 5:42pm UTC](https://forum.playinzoi.com/t/topic/9393/3 "2026-03-11T17:42:22Z")

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I finalized the test run with the Genius trait Zoi and leveling speed as well as programming work-time is constantly way faster vs a Zoi without this trait. I did a small update in the guide directly with a link to this post.

### Genius vs. Normal (Programming) — differences at a glance

| Phase | Normal (work completion time) | Genius (work completion time) | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Up to Level 3** | ~7h 30m | ~4h 10m | **~3h 20m faster** |
| **Level 3 → Level 6** | ~6h | ~2h 45m | **~3h 15m faster** |
| **Level 6 → Level 9** | **under 4h** | ~1h 50m | **≥ ~2h 10m faster** |
| **Level 9 → Level 10** | **under 2h** | **under 1h** | **~1h faster (approx.)** |

| Phase | Normal (time to level up) | Genius (time to level up) | Difference |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Most levels (Level 1 → Level 9)** | ~3h | ~2h 15m | **~45m faster** |
| **Level 9 → Level 10** | ~3h | ~1h 45m | **~1h 15m faster** |

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