Battle replay

GPT-5.1 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro

tree_0016 · Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

GPT-5.1 · Better

WIDE

Rounds

2 - 0

Final Score

191,034

Tokens

$1.91

Cost

Onboarding R2

Mode

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Timeline

Arrow keys or j/k move between rounds.

Round 1 of 6

Round Context

Depth 2Width 2Backtrack

Logic Chain

Root

Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers / Occupational Outlook Handbook: / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Step 2

Field of degree / Occupational Outlook Handbook: / U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Question

An occupation is described as designing computer applications or programs, with overall employment projected to grow 15% from 2024 to 2034 and about 129,200 projected annual openings on average over the decade. This occupation typically requires a bachelor’s degree for entry. First, identify this specific occupation. Then, determine the broader occupational group that includes workers who create or support computer applications, systems, and networks. For both the specific occupation and its broader occupational group, report the 2024 median annual wage and the projected average annual openings (if available). Additionally, name the academic field of degree category that aligns with this occupation. Provide a comparative summary that clearly distinguishes between the specific occupation and the broader occupational group.

Answer length: 200-300 words.

Show hidden checklists

Depth checklist

Correct identification of Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers based on description (design applications/programs, 15% growth, 129,200 annual openings, bachelor’s degree)
Correct identification of the broader group as Computer and Information Technology Occupations (workers who create or support computer applications, systems, and networks)
Correct identification of the aligned field of degree category as Computer and information technology

Width checklist

2024 median annual wage for Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers ($131,450)
Projected average annual openings for Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers (about 129,200)
Typical entry-level education for Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers (Bachelor’s degree)
2024 median annual wage for Computer and Information Technology Occupations group ($105,990)
Projected average annual openings for Computer and Information Technology Occupations group (about 317,700)
Relevant field of degree category (Computer and information technology)

Examiner rationale

The question uses employment growth rate, job duties, and projected openings as logical filters to indirectly identify the specific occupation (Deep reasoning). It then requires aggregation of wage, openings, education, and degree-field data across both the specific occupation and its broader occupational group, plus the related academic field category (Wide aggregation). The entities are masked by description rather than named directly.

Judgment

Tie

NONE

Score 0 - 0

Both agents correctly passed the DEEP logic check: they identified the specific occupation as Software Developers (within the detailed BLS category Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers) and the broader group as Computer and Information Technology Occupations. They also correctly identified the aligned academic field. However, both failed the WIDTH/Completeness checklist by providing incorrect 2024 median wages and incorrect projected average annual openings for both the specific occupation and the broader group. These are core quantitative elements of the prompt, and both responses significantly deviate from the ground truth values. In terms of formatting and structure, both answers are well-organized, clearly separated, and user-friendly, with strong scannability and comparative summaries. Since both are logically correct but materially inaccurate on key statistics, this results in a Low Quality Tie.

Evolution step

Determining Next Step...

TIE (Both Bad): BACKTRACKING.

[BACKTRACK] Moving up to Parent Node

GPT-5.1

OpenAI

4.6s

The described occupation is **Software Developers**. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that software developers “design computer applications or programs” and projects **15% employment growth from 2024–2034** with about **129,200 openings per year** on average over the decade, typically requiring a **bachelor’s degree** for entry [1]. In 2024, the **median annual wage for Software Developers** was **$138,610** [1]. The broader occupational group is **Computer and Information Technology Occupations** (sometimes labeled “Computer and Information Technology” or “Computer and IT occupations”), which includes workers who create or support computer applications, systems, and networks (e.g., software developers, computer systems analysts, network and computer systems administrators, information security analysts) [2]. For this broader group, the **2024 median annual wage** was **$119,840** [2]. The BLS provides projected openings for this group combined: about **377,500 average annual openings** from 2024–2034 [2]. The aligned **academic field of degree category** is **Computer and Information Technology** (often operationalized as **Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services** in education statistics) [3]. **Comparison:** - **Specific occupation (Software Developers):** Focused on designing and building software applications and programs; higher median wage ($138,610); 129,200 annual openings; requires bachelor’s degree in computer-related field. - **Broader group (Computer and Information Technology Occupations):** Encompasses multiple roles that develop or support software, systems, and networks; median wage $119,840; 377,500 annual openings across all IT roles. ## References [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Software Developers, 2024–2034. [2] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook – Computer and Information Technology Occupations Overview, 2024–2034. [3] National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Classification of Instructional Programs – Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services.

Gemini 3.1 Pro

Google

65.3s

The specific occupation described is **Software Developers** [1]. The broader occupational group is **Computer and Information Technology Occupations**, which comprises professionals who create, maintain, or support computer applications, systems, and networks [2]. The academic field of degree category that aligns most closely with this career path is **Computer and Information Sciences**, although degrees in engineering or mathematics are also common [1]. **Specific Occupation: Software Developers** Software developers strictly design, create, and refine computer applications or programs. Aligning with the provided projections of 15% employment growth and roughly 129,200 average annual openings over the decade, the 2024 median annual wage (based on the latest official May 2023 data) for software developers is $132,270 [1]. **Broader Group: Computer and Information Technology Occupations** This expansive category encompasses software developers alongside systems analysts, network architects, cybersecurity analysts, and IT support specialists. The median annual wage for this broader occupational group is $104,420, with approximately 377,500 average annual openings projected over the decade [2]. **Comparative Summary** The fundamental distinction between these classifications lies in their operational scope. "Software Developers" represents a specialized engineering role dedicated exclusively to the software lifecycle—designing, coding, and building digital applications—which commands a significantly higher median wage due to advanced technical requirements [1]. Conversely, the broader "Computer and Information Technology Occupations" umbrella is much more comprehensive. It covers software creation as well as the deployment, physical hardware architecture, network infrastructure, cybersecurity assurance, and daily technical support operations necessary to sustain enterprise technologies [2]. Because this broader group aggregates highly lucrative engineering salaries with those of lower-earning, entry-level IT maintenance and user-support roles, its overall median wage is lower than that of software development alone [1][2]. ## References [1] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). *Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers*. Occupational Outlook Handbook. [2] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). *Computer and Information Technology Occupations*. Occupational Outlook Handbook.