Grind 75 vs LeetCode patterns: Right fit for Microsoft interviews

Being a mentor to many preparing for coding interviews and targeting big tech companies like MAANG, my inbox is full of questions about coding interview prep. One comes up more than any other:

Do I really need to solve 500+ LeetCode problems to get into Microsoft?

The short answer is no.

Back in 2005, when I was preparing for Microsoft myself, I was in the same boat, drowning in a sea of problems and feeling like my efforts weren’t paying off. After working at Microsoft for nearly seven years, I realized the key wasn’t in solving more problems but in learning how to think about them.

So, what actually leads to effective coding interview preparation? Is it relying on curated lists like Blind 75, NeetCode 150, or Grind 75? Or is it focusing on the underlying LeetCode coding patterns that power solutions to thousands of interview problems?

This blog is the guide I wish I had back then. We’ll examine how Grind 75 and Microsoft’s Top 75 compare against the 28 LeetCode patterns from Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns. And more importantly, I’ll introduce a Microsoft-focused prep roadmap designed to save you time and keep your effort aligned with what really matters.

Sneak peek: How we evaluated Microsoft interview prep strategies

You might have chosen Grind 75 as your go-to Microsoft interview prep roadmap after seeing countless reviews and recommendations. But how can you be sure those reviews reflect real effectiveness? For me, the only reliable way to evaluate any prep method is to quantify it. That is why I created a clear rubric and scoring system. The details of this rubric are explained in the first blog: Grind 75 vs. LeetCode Patterns: Most Effective for Interviews?, of this series, but here is a quick overview.

To adequately cover a pattern, you need to practice one easy problem for 1 point, two medium problems for 8 points (4 each), and one hard problem for 6 points. This way, you are not just exposed to a pattern but also confident in applying it across different levels of difficulty. That makes 15 points per pattern.

With 28 patterns in total, the benchmark comes to 420 points. Any Microsoft-focused interview prep strategy should aim to get as close to 420 as possible.

This 1-2-1 rubric and scoring system provides a consistent benchmark for comparing coding interview prep strategies, such as Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75, against the 28 LeetCode coding interview patterns. With this benchmark in place, let’s see how each performs.

The scores above reveal a third coding interview prep strategy, the Microsoft-focused roadmap, which outperforms Grind 75 and Microsoft’s top 75. You might be wondering what this roadmap is, and more importantly, which problems and patterns contributed to these scores. That is exactly what we will explore in this blog.

Grind 75, Microsoft top 75, and LeetCode patterns: Quick overview#

Grind 75 is a thoughtfully curated extension of Blind 75. It features 75 coding problems across key Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) areas such as Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, and Dynamic Programming. It offers broader topic coverage and an ordered difficulty progression for effective interview preparation.

Microsoft top 75 is a set of coding problems that mirrors the kinds of challenges Microsoft has been asking frequently in their coding interviews. It is not an official list, but one compiled from LeetCode. Practicing this set helps candidates align their preparation with Microsoft’s interview style and priorities.

LeetCode patterns are common problem-solving templates or strategies, like Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Modified Binary Search, and Backtracking, that help identify and solve groups of coding interview problems efficiently. There are a total of 28 LeetCode coding patterns. These patterns capture the logic behind solutions, making it possible to tackle new or unseen problems by recognizing which pattern applies.

Can Grind 75 fully prepare you for Microsoft coding interviews?#

The short answer is no. While Grind 75 has long been popular for targeting top tech companies like MAANG, it remains a static list created years ago. It has not been updated to reflect the latest trends in the tech industry. By 2025, the landscape will have shifted significantly, especially with the rise of AI. Both the problems being asked and the solutions expected have evolved.

This shift can be seen at Microsoft too. Some problems that once appeared frequently are asked less often today, and new variations have taken their place. For example, if we look at Microsoft’s 10 most frequently asked coding problems in 2025, half of them are not included in the well-known Grind 75. The table below shows these problems highlighted in green.

The other limitation is adaptability. Solving the 75 problems will help you recognize familiar questions, but Microsoft interviewers frequently add twists or ask entirely new variations. So, while Grind 75 can take you a long way toward Microsoft readiness, it does not fully prepare you for the breadth of Microsoft’s interview style. To bridge the gap, you need to go beyond the static list.

Will LeetCode patterns prepare you for Microsoft coding interviews?#

The short answer is yes. Microsoft interviews often go beyond simply repeating well-known questions. Instead, they test whether you understand the problem, apply the right strategy, and adapt your solution under time pressure. This is where LeetCode patterns give you an edge. LeetCode patterns provide you with:

• Evergreen knowledge: Patterns such as Sliding Window, Backtracking, and Graph traversal are the building blocks behind most algorithmic challenges. Even if Microsoft refreshes its problem set or LeetCode adds thousands of questions, these fundamentals stay relevant. Training on patterns ensures your knowledge never goes out of date.

• Adaptability to new variations: Microsoft often rephrases classic problems. For example, the well-known Two Sum problem might appear as: Find two numbers with a target product. The surface looks new, but underneath it still maps to two pointers or a hash map logic. A pattern-first mindset lets you quickly classify the problem and reach an efficient solution.

• Efficient revision and long-term recall: It is far easier to revisit 28 patterns than to memorize 75 or 150 individual problems. This makes revision more efficient and boosts long-term recall. Candidates often face multiple interview rounds at Microsoft weeks apart, and being able to recall strategies quickly is a real advantage.

By focusing on patterns, you equip yourself with the flexibility Microsoft interviews demand. Instead of hoping to see a familiar problem, you build the confidence to handle any variation that comes your way.

An overview of LeetCode patterns for Microsoft coding interviews#

A total of 28 core coding patterns frequently appear in technical interviews, including those at Microsoft. To make your preparation more focused, I’ve grouped these patterns into four practical categories:

• Must-know patterns: These patterns show up most often in Microsoft interviews. You should practice them thoroughly, as many Microsoft questions are framed directly around these strategies.

• Very common patterns: These patterns appear regularly enough that focusing on them boosts your performance.

• Solid but situational patterns: These are less frequent but still important. When they do appear, quickly recognizing the underlying strategy can make the difference between finishing on time and getting stuck.

• Finishing-line helpers: These patterns are not as common overall, but they still surface occasionally. Covering them ensures you do not leave any gaps in your preparation.

Microsoft tends to emphasize some patterns more than others, but the safest strategy is to cover all 28. That way, you are prepared to adapt to any variation of coding problems you encounter in interviews.

Microsoft coding interview roadmap#

Grind 75 helps you start broad, Microsoft’s Top 75 brings in company focus, and LeetCode Patterns develop adaptability. Yet no single method covers everything you need. By combining them, we can create a hybrid roadmap that steadily builds toward full coverage of all 28 patterns and aligns closely with Microsoft’s interview expectations. Here’s how it works:

1. Start with the overlap between Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75: These problems are validated by both lists, giving you early wins. They strengthen the core patterns Microsoft frequently asks.

2. Move to Microsoft-only problems: This step adds the company-specific aspect that Grind 75 does not fully capture. It ensures your prep reflects Microsoft’s actual interview style.

3. Expand with the remaining Grind 75 problems: This broadens your exposure and strengthens underrepresented patterns. Completing Grind 75 fills in coverage gaps and strengthens your coding interview preparation.

4. Target any uncovered patterns directly: Identify the patterns that remain weak or have not been covered at all. Practice specific problems for them to ensure you do not miss out on any of the 28 coding patterns.

Following this sequence with the 1-2-1 rubric saves time while still taking you to complete pattern coverage. Instead of over-preparing in one area and missing others, you build a balanced roadmap that prepares you for any variation Microsoft puts in front of you.

Why begin with the overlap of Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75?#

Starting with the overlap gives you the best of both worlds. These problems are validated by two different sources, which means they are highly relevant for Microsoft interviews. Covering them first strengthens the patterns Microsoft emphasizes most, while also giving you early confidence that you are working on questions with the highest return on investment.

Let’s see which coding problems are common to both Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75.

The list above shows that 30 coding problems overlap between Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75. That is about 40%, which is a strong starting point. This overlap saves time, reduces redundancy, and ensures you begin with questions that are highly relevant for Microsoft interviews.

Now, let’s see which patterns these overlapping problems introduce and how well they are covered using the 1-2-1 rubric. In the bar chart below, each bar represents a pattern. The length of the bar shows what percent of the full 15 points you’ve earned for that pattern, while the label highlights how many easy, medium, and hard problems went into that score.

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 bar chart above shows that the overlap of Grind 75 and Microsoft Top 75 coding problems introduces you to 16 out of 28 patterns, which is about 57%. This is a great start because it gives you exposure to more than half of the essential coding patterns early in your prep.

A few core patterns, like Two Pointers, Sliding Window, and Dynamic Programming, are already well covered. Several patterns are still underrepresented and need targeted practice.

At this stage, even being introduced to the patterns is valuable. You can then strengthen them further by practicing with the 1-2-1 rubric in hand.

Why focus on Microsoft-specific problems after the overlap?#

Once you’ve built a strong foundation with the overlap, Microsoft-only problems bring in the company’s specific focus. These questions highlight the patterns and variations Microsoft emphasizes, but that Grind 75 does not fully capture. Tackling them next ensures your preparation reflects Microsoft’s interview style and closes gaps left by general lists.

Let’s see which patterns are introduced by Microsoft-specific coding problems.

The list above shows that Microsoft-specific coding problems surface 7 new coding patterns, taking the total to 23 out of 28 patterns, or about 82%. This is a significant jump and a clear indication that the Microsoft-focused roadmap is working. It not only expands your coverage to most of the essential coding patterns, but also aligns your practice closely with the types of problems Microsoft emphasizes in interviews.

Now, let’s see how well the patterns from this Microsoft-specific set are covered using the 1-2-1 rubric. The bar chart below highlights the newly covered patterns in green on the y-axis.

The bar chart above shows that adding Microsoft-specific questions pushes the pattern coverage further. Previously identified patterns, such as Dynamic Programming, Two Pointers, and Sliding Window, are now strengthened to the well-covered level. Patterns like Stacks, Greedy Techniques, and Knowing What to Track move into partial coverage. The newly introduced patterns remain underrepresented and will require targeted practice to reach full coverage.

Do you need to complete the full Grind 75 for Microsoft interviews?#

After covering the overlap and Microsoft-specific problems, Grind 75 still has value. The remaining questions broaden your exposure and reinforce patterns that may not appear directly in Microsoft’s Top 75 but are still part of the 28 essential coding patterns. Working through them ensures you are not over-reliant on a narrow set of problems and builds resilience for unexpected variations that can surface in Microsoft interviews.

Let’s see which patterns the remaining Grind 75 problems unlock.

The list above shows that completing the Grind 75 introduces 3 new coding patterns, taking the total to 26 out of 28, which is about 93%. This is an excellent result. With the Microsoft-focused prep roadmap, you are now very close to full coverage of all coding patterns.

Now, let’s see how well the coding patterns in the remaining Grind 75 are covered using the 1-2-1 rubric.

The bar chart above shows that completing the remaining Grind 75 problems pushes coverage even closer to full. Patterns such as Stacks, Tree Depth-First Search, and Tree Breadth-First Search are now strengthened to the well-covered level. Backtracking and Math, and Geometry also move into partial coverage.

A few patterns, including Graphs, Top K Elements, Trie, Hash Maps, and Fast and Slow Pointers, remain underrepresented and will need direct practice with the 1-2-1 rubric to close the gaps.

Is your Microsoft coding interview prep complete now?#

The bar chart below gives you a clear picture of how well the 28 patterns are represented and what still needs your focus.

The bar chart above shows that the Microsoft-focused roadmap has delivered strong results. Seven patterns are now in the green zone (well covered), including Two Pointers, Modified Binary Search, Dynamic Programming, Stacks, Tree Depth-First Search, and Sliding Window. This means the most critical and frequently asked patterns are already well practiced.

A handful of patterns, such as Backtracking, Greedy Techniques, Knowing What to Track, Math and Geometry, and Tree Breadth-First Search, are in the partial coverage range. With just one additional hard coding problem each, these can be pushed into the green zone.

Several patterns remain in the red zone, i.e., underrepresented, including Union Find, Subsets, Merge Intervals, Heaps, Cyclic Sort, K-way Merge, Custom Data Structures, and Matrices. Most of these need two targeted problems each to move into solid coverage.

Most importantly, a couple of coding patterns, Sort and Search and Bitwise Manipulation, were not covered at all. These will need a full 1-2-1 set to reach the green zone (well-covered). Here are some recommended problems to practice for Sort and Search, and Bitwise Manipulation.

Patterns recap for Microsoft coding interview prep #

The pie chart below shows the percentage of pattern coverage achieved across different stages. It gives a high-level view of how each step contributes and how close you are to covering all 28 coding patterns.

The pie chart above shows that the overlap between Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75 accounts for the largest share at 57%, giving you a strong foundation right from the start. Adding Microsoft-only problems contributes another 25%, a major boost that takes coverage past the 80% mark. The remaining Grind 75 adds 10.7%, filling in important gaps. Finally, 7.1 percent of patterns remain uncovered, which are now clearly identified: Sort and Search, and Bitwise Manipulation.

Score summary for Microsoft coding interview prep #

To measure how effective this roadmap really is, let’s translate pattern coverage into scores using the 1-2-1 rubric. The chart below shows how much each stage contributes toward the 420-point benchmark.

The Microsoft-focused roadmap steadily builds toward the 420-point benchmark.

• The overlap between Grind 75 and Microsoft top 75 contributes 101 points, a strong base that covers many high-value patterns early.

• Adding company-specific problems brings in another 75 points, pushing your total close to the halfway mark.

• Completing the rest of Grind 75 adds 53 points, further strengthening coverage across less common but still important patterns.

Together, these stages deliver 229 points, which is more than half of the ideal 420. About 191 points remain. These come from underrepresented patterns, which can be filled by directly applying the 1-2-1 rubric. This ensures every pattern is fully covered without wasted effort.

Wrapping up: Which coding interview prep strategy fits Microsoft interviews?#

Preparing for Microsoft interviews is not about memorizing solutions from a fixed list but about learning how to think in patterns. Lists like Grind 75 and Microsoft’s top 75 give you the what, a structured set of questions that frequently appear. Coding patterns give you the how, the underlying strategies that let you solve both familiar and unfamiliar problems under time pressure.

The verdict is clear: neither Grind 75 nor Microsoft 75 alone is the optimal solution. When combined with LeetCode patterns, they create a roadmap that balances breadth, depth, and adaptability. You get the coverage of curated lists and the flexibility of pattern-based problem solving, which together prepare you for any variation Microsoft might put in front of you. Good luck!

Recommended resources to level up your Microsoft interview prep#

While this blog offers 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 discussing. 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.