Grind 75 vs LeetCode patterns: Most effective for interviews?

You've completed Blind 75, feeling confident and prepared, when suddenly another ultimate roadmap emerges: Grind 75. Peers and influencers start to recommend this new list, while experienced engineers on LinkedIn emphasize the importance of mastering algorithmic patterns over merely solving numerous problems.

Grind 75 and LeetCode Patterns are currently two of the most popular approaches to technical interview preparation. Grind 75 is a curated set of 75 essential interview questions covering key concepts, aiming to optimize preparation time. In contrast, LeetCode Patterns emphasizes mastering recurring algorithmic patterns, preparing you to handle unfamiliar problems systematically.

But what’s truly different? Is Grind 75 a genuine upgrade, or is it just another repackaged challenge? Should you stick with structured problem lists or shift toward understanding patterns deeply? With the endless growth of interview advice and problem sets, it’s easy to become overwhelmed.

In this blog, I’ll outline how each method works, pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses, and help you choose the most effective approach for your interview prep using the 28 coding interview patterns featured in the “Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns” course.

A brief overview of Grind 75#

Grind 75 is a curated list of 75 high-value coding interview questions created by the author of Blind 75. Over time, candidates consistently asked for more depth and structured pacing, prompting him to identify the top 169 LeetCode problems by popularity and interview relevance, then rank and select the top 75 as the core list. While these 75 questions mirror much of the original Blind 75 content, they are chosen based on updated data, reordered for progressive difficulty, and intended to reflect modern interview trends. Grind 75 also offers optional expansion from this core set for users who want additional practice 

Introducing LeetCode Patterns: moving beyond the classic lists#

LeetCode Patterns is an interview prep approach that focuses on recurring techniques rather than fixed sets of problems. Instead of starting with a pre-selected list, candidates work through key problem-solving strategies such as Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Backtracking, Dynamic Programming, and more. This method encourages understanding the logic behind each solution, helping candidates adapt to variations and new problems more confidently.

LeetCode Patterns is designed to give structure to practice by highlighting the common templates that appear across many questions, regardless of the topic. As a result, it shifts attention from memorizing answers to recognizing and applying familiar techniques in unfamiliar contexts. For many, this means preparation is less about checking off a list, and more about developing adaptable, transferable skills for real interviews.

These are the 28 common patterns every candidate should be familiar with:

Can you rely on Grind 75 for interview success?#

Grind 75 is seen as an improved version of Blind 75, offering a more updated and thoughtfully selected set of interview questions. It does a good job of expanding coverage and keeping up with changing trends compared to older lists. However, at its core, Grind 75 is still a static collection of problems. While the author has made updates to reflect common interview topics, there’s no guarantee that all 28 core patterns are fully covered, or that the list keeps pace with every new type of problem interviewers may introduce.

With the increasing use of AI, it’s easier than ever for companies to generate new or unexpected questions, making it even more likely that static lists can quickly become outdated. For candidates, this means Grind 75 is a valuable foundation, but not a comprehensive solution for mastering every pattern or interview scenario.

Can LeetCode Patterns replace traditional preparation lists?#

LeetCode Patterns takes a different approach from typical interview question lists by focusing on the strategies that underlie many problems. Instead of practicing questions by topic or frequency, this method encourages candidates to master the common algorithmic patterns, such as Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Backtracking, and Dynamic Programming that recur across interviews. By recognizing these patterns, candidates are better equipped to solve unfamiliar or modified questions, even if they haven’t seen that exact variation before.

For example, once you understand the Sliding Window pattern, you’ll notice that many interview questions. Whether they ask about finding the longest substring without repeats or the shortest subarray meeting a certain condition, it can be approached using a similar, repeatable process. This way, you don’t need to memorize each individual question; you learn how to adapt a core technique to a wide range of new problems.

Defining a rubric to measure if a preparation list actually works#

When you’re faced with dozens of prep lists and strategies, it’s easy to fall into the habit of just following whatever’s most popular. But simply checking off questions doesn’t always mean real progress, especially if important problem types are left out.

That’s where a practical checkpoint helps. Instead of counting only the total number of questions, it’s more effective to see how well each key pattern is covered, and at different difficulty levels. The benchmark is simple: for every pattern, aim to solve at least one easy, two medium, and one hard problem. This rubric quickly highlights which areas are well covered and which still need more work.

Having this structure keeps your prep focused and makes it much easier to spot gaps that general recommendations might miss.

Adding scores to the pattern coverage rubric#

To make the rubric more actionable, attaching a simple scoring system can help you track not just which patterns you’ve practiced, but also how thoroughly you’ve covered each one. Here’s a simple scoring method for each pattern:

• Easy problem: 1 point (a basic foundation)

• Medium problem: 4 points (most valuable for real interviews)

• Hard problem: 6 points (demonstrates true mastery)

With this scoring method, when you meet the 1—2—1 benchmark (one easy, two medium, one hard), that adds up to 15 points.

Here’s how these scores can guide your prep:

• If a pattern scores much less than 15: It’s a sign you need more practice. Consider adding problems at the missing difficulty levels.

• If your score is around 15: That pattern is likely well-covered and balanced for interviews.

• If you’re well above 15: You might be spending more time here than needed, unless this is a personal weak spot or especially important for your target company.

Using scores in this way makes it easier to see where your prep is strong and where you can focus for the most impact.

What’s the ideal preparation score for interviews?#

Based on the rubric and scoring system, covering a pattern ideally means practicing 1 easy, 2 medium, and 1 hard problem, adding up to 15 points per pattern. As there are 28 key coding patterns, the highest prep score you can reach is 420 points (28 patterns × 15 points each). Hitting this target means you’ve practiced every major pattern across different levels of difficulty, setting yourself up for a well-rounded interview performance.

If your current prep set falls short of this score, it’s an instant indicator of which areas need more attention. This makes it much easier to identify gaps and focus your preparation where it will matter most.

Grind 75’s pattern coverage: A rubric-based analysis#

Applying the pattern coverage rubric to Grind 75 reveals a mix of strengths and notable gaps. The following bar chart shows the percentage completion for each of the 28 foundational coding patterns, based on the number of easy, medium, and hard problems covered. 

Note: For this calculation, I have only considered the counts that satisfy our 1—2—1 rubric. If a pattern has more questions than required by the rubric, I count only 1 easy, 2 medium, and 1 hard problem. For example, if Dynamic Programming has 10 medium questions, I have included just 2 in this calculation.

The analysis above shows that this list does a good job with a few of core patterns such as Two Pointers, Dynamic Programming, and Tree traversals, which are all fully covered across the recommended mix of easy, medium, and hard problems. Stacks and Sliding Window also have substantial representation, though not complete.

However, the overall coverage drops sharply for many other patterns. Partial coverage can be seen in areas like Merge Intervals, Subsets, Topological Sort, and a few others. More than half the patterns, including Backtracking, Modified Binary Search, Heaps, Graphs, and common techniques like Hash Maps and Greedy Methods, fall into the underrepresented category, with less than 60% coverage by the rubric. 

The most crucial highlight is that several patterns like Cyclic Sort, Sort and Search, Bitwise Manipulation are not represented at all.

In summary, Grind 75 is strong for certain foundational patterns but leaves many areas under-addressed, especially as the difficulty or diversity of interview questions increases. This analysis highlights the importance of supplementing list-based prep with targeted practice on weaker or missing patterns to ensure well-rounded interview preparation.

What score would I give to Grind 75 for coding interview preparation?#

Before I give Grind 75 a single score, let’s go over some important numbers.

The table above highlights a key point: while Grind 75 includes 75 interview questions, only 49 of those actually contribute to balanced, pattern-based prep according to the 1—2—1 rubric and scoring system. Ideally, you would need 112 problems in total, one easy, two medium, and one hard for each of the 28 foundational patterns. In reality, Grind 75 falls short by 63 questions, leaving notable gaps, especially at the hard and medium difficulty levels.

As a result, Grind 75 achieves a prep score of 170 out of a possible 420, or about 48%. This makes it clear that a high question count alone doesn’t guarantee full coverage of the core skills needed for interviews. For thorough preparation, it’s important to supplement with targeted practice on underrepresented patterns and problem types.

Using the Grind 75 score: What to do next#

Seeing your Grind 75 score isn’t just about knowing where you stand; it’s about making your next steps count. Look at which patterns have the lowest scores or are missing problems at certain difficulty levels. Instead of simply doing more questions at random, target those weak spots first. Adding a few carefully chosen problems (like a hard one for a low-scoring pattern) can make a much bigger impact than just raising your total question count.

If you’re aiming for interviews at a specific company, look up which patterns come up most often and focus on those areas. And if you notice certain patterns just feel tougher for you, it’s worth spending extra time there, even if you’ve technically checked the box for your rubric.

The goal isn’t to cover everything perfectly, but to use your score as a guide to fill in the real gaps. This way, you’re not just practicing for the sake of it; you’re moving your prep forward where it matters most.

Practical steps to maximize your interview readiness#

No single resource can guarantee perfect coverage or fully prepare you for every interview challenge. However, using a structured rubric and scoring system helps you clearly identify where your strengths and gaps lie, making your prep far more targeted and effective.

You might start by using the Grind 75 (or any list’s) pattern coverage score to pinpoint which areas need the most attention. Supplement your prep by adding targeted practice problems in those underrepresented patterns, and don’t hesitate to focus more on problem types that align with your target companies or personal weak spots. Remember, the aim isn’t just to complete a list, but to ensure a real, well-rounded understanding across core patterns and difficulty levels.

Finally, treat your prep as a living process. Regularly check your progress against the rubric, and adjust your study plan as your skills improve and your interview goals evolve. With this strategic approach, you’ll be better equipped to tackle new, challenging questions and go into your interviews with genuine confidence.

If you found this helpful, check out Blind 75 vs LeetCode patterns for Meta coding interviews to start your FAANG prep.

Recommended resources to level up your interview prep#

While this blog gives you a data-driven way to measure and close your prep gaps, the right learning tools can accelerate your progress even further. Here are two highly effective resources to complement your study plan:

• Educative’s Personalized Interview Prep: It’s your tailored prep companion that adapts to your skill level and focuses on the 28 essential LeetCode patterns we’ve been talking about. You can work on the patterns that need the most attention, track progress with clear metrics, and know exactly what to tackle next. Whether it’s adding an easy problem to build confidence or a hard one to push for mastery, you’ll always be working on the right problems at the right time.

• Educative’s Mock Interviews: Practicing is not just about solving problems. It is also about handling real interview pressure. Educative’s AI mock interviews let you simulate actual interview conditions, get actionable feedback, and improve in areas like problem-solving speed. This way, you are not only technically prepared but also confident and ready to perform under time constraints.