Prioritized Replay for RL Post-training
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Abstract (arXiv)
We introduce a problem-level prioritization framework for RL post-training of large language models. Building on insights from prioritized replay in deep RL, as well as prior observations that rollouts with intermediate success rates tend to produce stronger learning signals under methods such as GRPO, our approach selects problems according to a simple, model-driven priority score derived from empirical success statistics. In contrast to conventional curriculum strategies that emphasize easier tasks early in training, the resulting schedule naturally focuses training on problems that are neither consistently solved nor consistently failed, while deprioritizing those that contribute little gradient information. The method yields a continuously adapting and automatic prioritization process that requires no predefined difficulty tiers, auxiliary predictors, or external labels. We further introduce lightweight mechanisms for practical deployment, including heap-based prioritized sampling and periodic retesting of solved and unsolved problems to mitigate starvation and forgetting. Overall, the approach offers a principled and scalable alternative to manually designed curricula while aligning data selection directly with the dynamics of GRPO-based post-training.
Key facts. Cited by 4 papers in the map (data through 7 Oct 2026). Builds on 14 of its 24 references that are in the map. First posted on arXiv 6 Jan 2026.
Builds on
14 of 24 references.
References · 14
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- 2024HybridFlow: A Flexible and Efficient RLHF Frameworkcited by 1,980
- 2015Prioritized Experience Replaycited by 1,070
- 2017Rainbow: Combining Improvements in Deep Reinforcement Learningcited by 774
- 2020Curriculum Learning for Reinforcement Learning Domains: A Framework and Surveycited by 350
- 2025Self-Evolving Curriculum for LLM Reasoningcited by 107
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Citing papers per year: 2026: 4.
4 papers.
- 2026Freshness-Aware Prioritized Experience Replay for LLM/VLM Reinforcement Learningcited by 3
- 2026IRDS: Interpretable RLVR Data Selection via Verifier-Coupled Sparse Autoencoder Coveragecited by 1
- 2026Rollout-Level Advantage-Prioritized Experience Replay for GRPOcited by 1
- 2026Evaluating Fuzz Testing for Reinforcement Learning Agentscited by 0
- 2026Evaluating Fuzz Testing for Reinforcement Learning Agents27 Jul 2026
- 2026Rollout-Level Advantage-Prioritized Experience Replay for GRPO3 Jun 2026
- 2026IRDS: Interpretable RLVR Data Selection via Verifier-Coupled Sparse Autoencoder Coverage27 May 2026
- 2026Freshness-Aware Prioritized Experience Replay for LLM/VLM Reinforcement Learning18 Apr 2026
Similar, not cited
Close in wording, no citation either way
- 2025Replay Failures as Successes: Sample-Efficient Reinforcement Learning for Instruction Following
- 2025Learning What Matters: Prioritized Concept Learning via Relative Error-driven Sample Selection
- 2025DUMP: Automated Distribution-Level Curriculum Learning for RL-based LLM Post-training
- 2024TeaMs-RL: Teaching LLMs to Generate Better Instruction Datasets via Reinforcement Learning
- 2025Revisiting Replay and Gradient Alignment for Continual Pre-Training of Large Language Models
- 2026SortedRL: Accelerating RL Training for LLMs through Online Length-Aware Scheduling
- 2025Improving RL Exploration for LLM Reasoning through Retrospective Replay
- 2025RL in Name Only? Analyzing the Structural Assumptions in RL post-training for LLMs