Reinforcement Learning

CoBA-RL: Capability-Oriented Budget Allocation for Reinforcement Learning in LLMs

ZZhiyuan YaoYYi-Kai ZhangYYuxin ChenYYueqing SunZZishan XuYYu YangTTianhao HuQQi GuHHui SuXXunliang Cai
Published
February 3, 2026
Authors
10
Word Count
6,961
Code
Includes code

Dynamic budget allocation improves LLM training efficiency.

Abstract

Reinforcement Learning with Verifiable Rewards (RLVR) has emerged as a key approach for enhancing LLM reasoning.However, standard frameworks like Group Relative Policy Optimization (GRPO) typically employ a uniform rollout budget, leading to resource inefficiency. Moreover, existing adaptive methods often rely on instance-level metrics, such as task pass rates, failing to capture the model's dynamic learning state. To address these limitations, we propose CoBA-RL, a reinforcement learning algorithm designed to adaptively allocate rollout budgets based on the model's evolving capability. Specifically, CoBA-RL utilizes a Capability-Oriented Value function to map tasks to their potential training gains and employs a heap-based greedy strategy to efficiently self-calibrate the distribution of computational resources to samples with high training value. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our approach effectively orchestrates the trade-off between exploration and exploitation, delivering consistent generalization improvements across multiple challenging benchmarks. These findings underscore that quantifying sample training value and optimizing budget allocation are pivotal for advancing LLM post-training efficiency.

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Dynamically allocates budget based on model's evolving capability.

  • 2

    Outperforms traditional methods like GRPO and Knapsack-RL.

  • 3

    Uses a Capability-Oriented Value function and heap-based strategy.

Limitations

  • Assumes global failure rate accurately quantifies model capability.

  • Beta distribution may not capture all task complexities.

Keywords

Reinforcement Learning with Verifiable RewardsGRPOrollout budgetadaptive methodsCapability-Oriented Value functionheap-based greedy strategyexploration and exploitationLLM post-training efficiency

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CoBA-RL: Capability-Oriented Budget Allocation for Reinforcement Learning in LLMs | Paperchime