I assure you that you will rank up soon if you can contribute your knowledge to the members of the forum. I have seen many people at your rank gaining so many merits within a month because those members have contributed something good for Bitcoin as well for this forum. If you have enough knowledge about Bitcoin and you know development then I'm quite sure that your each good thread will be appreciated by the reputed members of the forum.
I think the problem or mistake most people have when joining as a newbie usually is taking merit in the front run without thinking about the value you would add to the forum. As a newbie, you have to think of what you contribute to the community positively, and even if you don't have anything to offer at the time of joining, chill and learn from others with time you would have a good contribution to make as growth is a process.