NeetCode 150 vs. LeetCode patterns: Which is effective for Apple?

Apple has built its reputation on products that “just work.” From the first iPod to the latest iPhone, the company has shown that simplicity on the surface comes from solving deep, complex problems behind-the-scenes. Apple’s interviews reflect the same philosophy. It is not enough for your code to just run; it has to be clean, efficient, and thoughtfully designed.

That expectation leaves many candidates, whether fresh graduates or seasoned engineers, wondering how to prepare. Should you grind through Blind 75, Grind 75, NeetCode 150, or structured lists of LeetCode problems designed for MAANG prep? Or should you invest in mastering the 28 LeetCode patterns, which train you to adapt when Apple interviewers push for clarity and optimization?

So, out of hundreds of Apple interview prep resources, what actually works?

In this blog, I will unpack how NeetCode 150 and Apple Top 150 compare against the 28 LeetCode Patterns from “Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns.” More importantly, I will use data to highlight the value of each approach, identify the weak spots, and show you how to bring them together into an Apple-ready roadmap for interviews.

Sneak peek: How we tested Apple coding interview prep strategies#

The answer to what really works for Apple coding interviews is not obvious without data. That is why I use a clear scoring rubric introduced in the first blog of this series, NeetCode 150 vs. LeetCode Patterns for Coding Interview Prep, to measure how much each preparation approach actually contributes toward complete interview readiness. Let’s briefly revisit the 1–2–1 rubric that guides this analysis.

To cover a pattern adequately, you solve 1 easy problem (1 point), 2 medium problems (4 points each), and 1 hard problem (6 points), for a total of 15 points. With 28 patterns, the benchmark comes to 420 points.

Now, let’s see how NeetCode 150 and Apple’s Top 150 measure up against this benchmark.

The score chart above provides only a high-level view. You might be wondering which problems and patterns actually contribute to these results, and more importantly, what this Apple-focused roadmap looks like and why it performs so strongly.

That is exactly what we will explore in this blog. The analysis goes beyond the high-level results to show how well each pattern is covered, how the gaps are closed, and how a structured plan can maximize your chances of walking out of an Apple coding interview with an offer.

Overview of NeetCode 150, Apple Top 150, and LeetCode patterns#

NeetCode 150 is one of the most widely used curated lists on LeetCode. It was designed to target MAANG interviews, which makes it a solid choice for Apple candidates, too. The list balances breadth and difficulty, covering core computer science topics like arrays, strings, trees, and graphs.  

Apple Top 150 is a set of problems on LeetCode that are most relevant to Apple. These questions reflect what has been asked in real interviews and give you direct exposure to Apple’s problem-solving expectations. 

LeetCode patterns train you to recognize problem-solving strategies that stretch across many coding questions. By practicing the 28 patterns, from brute-force refinements to optimization techniques, you gain the adaptability to handle follow-ups and variations that Apple is known for.

Is NeetCode 150 enough to prepare you for Apple interviews?#

Imagine spending months solving 150 problems only to find that your interviewer asks something completely different. Out of those 150, how many can you realistically practice or review before the big day? Even if you decide to focus on 75 or 50 problems, which ones should they be: the first, the last, or something in between? And more importantly, will that subset actually cover the patterns Apple values most?

Preparing for Apple interviews today, in an era where AI is everywhere, means interviewers can easily come up with new and unseen questions. That makes it even riskier to rely only on a static list. You need a strategy that equips you to adapt to fresh variations instead of depending on memorized solutions. 

Therefore, while NeetCode 150 is valuable for strengthening your computer science basics, it might not be sufficient on its own for Apple coding interviews.

How do LeetCode patterns make you Apple-ready?#

An engineer at Apple isn’t just shipping code. They’re shaping the way millions of people text, listen to music, or unlock their phones. That’s why Apple’s interviews go beyond algorithms; they’re designed to find problem-solvers who can build and deliver products at scale and elegance.

This is exactly where LeetCode patterns come in. Patterns train you to recognize the underlying strategy behind a problem instead of just relying on memorized answers. When an interviewer pushes you with variations or constraints, you can fall back on the pattern rather than scrambling for a specific solution you may or may not have seen before. 

The real advantage is that patterns scale across contexts, just like Apple’s products. Once you know a pattern, you can apply it to arrays, strings, trees, graphs, or even new problem types that show up in an interview. That adaptability is what makes you Apple-ready.

A quick overview of LeetCode patterns for Apple interviews#

When you first look at all 28 patterns, you might wonder where to start. To make this less confusing, I’ve grouped them based on how they appear in Apple’s recent coding interviews.

• Must-knows: These are the patterns that come up again and again in Apple interviews. They reflect the core skills every candidate is expected to demonstrate, from handling data structures efficiently to reasoning about common problem types.

• Very common, high value: This group appears often when interviewers want to see how you handle optimization. These questions test whether you can refine a working solution into something cleaner, faster, or more memory-efficient.

• Solid but situational: These patterns are not as common, but when they appear, they usually distinguish strong candidates from average ones. 

• Finishing line helpers: There are patterns that show up only occasionally. They might not dominate Apple interviews, but knowing them ensures you are never caught off guard.

Apple might focus on certain patterns more often, but the best strategy is still to cover all 28 patterns. That way, you are prepared for surprises and can handle whatever direction the final interview takes.

Introducing Apple prep roadmap with all 28 patterns#

The key to preparing for Apple coding interviews is not choosing between NeetCode 150, Apple Top 150, or LeetCode patterns, but knowing how to combine them in the right sequence. Here is a simple four-step roadmap that balances structure, relevance, and adaptability.

1. Start with the NeetCode-Apple overlap: Begin with the problems that appear in both NeetCode 150 and Apple Top 150. Every question you solve here does double duty; it strengthens your fundamentals while also reflecting problems Apple has actually asked.

2. Add Apple-specific problems: Next, move to the remaining Apple Top 150 problems. These highlight Apple’s unique style.

3. Expand with NeetCode 150: Once you have Apple’s approach covered, go back and finish the NeetCode problems not included in Apple’s list. These ensure that you are not missing important ground in core computer science topics and help you build resilience against unexpected variations.

4. Close gaps with patterns: Finally, look at which of the 28 patterns are still underrepresented and fill those gaps directly. This step makes your prep future-proof, so even if Apple introduces a brand-new variation, you will have the problem-solving framework to handle it.

As you follow this roadmap, measure your progress with the 1–2–1 rubric and scoring method I introduced earlier in the series. Aim for one easy, two medium, and one hard problem per pattern. With 1 point for easy problems, 4 for medium, and 6 for hard, the total comes to roughly 15 points per pattern. Across all 28 patterns, the target is 420. Hitting this benchmark ensures your prep goes beyond memorization and gives you the depth Apple interviews demand.

Why should your prep begin with the NeetCode-Apple overlap?#

The NeetCode-Apple overlap is where efficiency meets relevance. By starting here, you practice problems that build your core skills while also aligning with Apple’s interview style. This approach ensures that your earliest prep hours are both productive and directly Apple-focused, giving you momentum before moving on to the rest of the roadmap.

Let’s see how many problems are common between NeetCode and Apple.

The list above shows that 70 out of 150 problems overlap, which is about 47%. This is a big advantage because nearly half of your NeetCode practice directly aligns with Apple’s own list, saving time and giving you confidence that your effort is focused on the problems that Apple actually values.

Now, let’s see how these problems contribute to the pattern coverage as per the 1—2—1 rubric and scores (2 points for easy, 4 for medium, and 6 for hard). 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.  

The bar chart above shows that this first step sets a strong foundation. You get introduced to 22 out of 28, about 79%, which is a huge milestone. Core patterns like Dynamic Programming, Binary Search, Sliding Window, and Two Pointers are already well covered and reach high scores. Others, such as Tree Traversals and Stacks, are progressing but still need more depth. 

Several patterns remain underrepresented, including Subsets, Union Find, Cyclic Sort, and Custom Data Structures. Still, starting here ensures early wins across the most important problem types.

What makes Apple-specific questions the right next step?#

Once you finish the overlap, moving to Apple-specific questions gives your prep a sharper focus. These problems expose you to the way Apple interviewers frame challenges and the kinds of variations they like to test. By practicing this set, you learn to anticipate Apple’s style, handle common follow-ups more confidently, and avoid surprises on interview day.

Let’s see what new patterns are introduced by Apple-specific questions.

The list above shows that 3 new patterns emerge, which takes the total to 25 out of 28 patterns, about 89%. This is a great milestone because it means your prep now covers almost the entire landscape of Apple’s interview patterns. This leaves only a few areas to strengthen before you reach complete coverage.

Now, let’s see how well each pattern in the Apple-specific set is covered using the 1—2—1 rubric and scores. The bar chart below highlights the newly covered patterns in green on the y-axis.

The bar chart above shows that Apple-specific questions strengthen your prep considerably. Many patterns that were partial before now move into the green zone, including Tree Traversals and Stacks. 

This stage also introduces new patterns like Trie and Cyclic Sort, expanding your overall coverage to nearly the entire set. Some areas remain weaker, such as Union Find, Custom Data Structures, and Bitwise Techniques, but overall, the pattern breadth is much stronger and more Apple-aligned.

Why is practicing the rest of NeetCode 150 still important?#

The problems left in NeetCode 150 may not be tagged for Apple, but they still carry weight. They expose you to a wider variety of scenarios and problem styles that strengthen your problem-solving instincts. More importantly, they help you uncover weaker areas that might otherwise go untested until the actual interview. By working through these remaining problems, you build resilience and ensure your preparation is not one-dimensional.

Let’s look at the new patterns that the rest of the NeetCode problems unlock.

You get introduced to 2 new patterns, taking the total to 27 out of 28 patterns, which is about 96%. This is an excellent result because it shows that your prep has reached near-complete coverage.

Now, let’s look at how well each pattern in the remaining NeetCode set is covered using the 1–2–1 rubric and scores.

The bar chart above shows that this stage builds further depth and pushes several patterns into complete coverage. Graphs, Backtracking, and Topological Sort get reinforced here, and breadth continues to improve. 

A handful of patterns are still not fully covered, particularly Cyclic Sort, Union Find, and Custom Data Structures. But even here, knowing that these gaps exist is powerful because you can directly apply the rubric, one easy, two medium, one hard, to quickly close them.

So, is your Apple prep complete now?#

At this stage, you have worked through the NeetCode-Apple overlap, tackled Apple-specific questions, and practiced the rest of NeetCode 150. With all three sets considered, it is time to step back and analyze the overall picture. Have we truly covered everything Apple might test, or are there still patterns that need more attention? This is where the scoring framework helps us see what is complete, and what still requires work.

Looking at this final overall chart, the progress is evidently impressive, with many patterns already in the green zone with full coverage, and a good number sitting comfortably at partial coverage. That means most of the roadmap has done its job well.

What needs attention now are the patterns in red, like Cyclic Sort, K-Way Merge, Union Find, Custom Data Structures, and Subsets, which are at about half coverage and also need strengthening. Each needs two or three targeted problems for you to be able to close them out. Most importantly, there is only one pattern not touched at all, Sort and Search, and it is a clear gap.

The good news is that filling these gaps is straightforward with the 1–2–1 rubric. For Sort and Search, four problems (one easy, two medium, one hard) are enough to move it from zero to complete coverage. You can practice the following:

By applying the rubric in this way, you can complete the picture and push your prep to full 420-point readiness.

Patterns recap#

Let’s look at the breakdown of pattern coverage across all the stages of our Apple-focused interview prep roadmap.

The chart above shows that most of your progress comes from common patterns, which already cover about 79% of the total. Apple-only problems add another 11%, bringing in the company’s unique style, while NeetCode-only questions contribute 7% by strengthening fundamentals that Apple may still test. The final 4 percent represents the remaining pattern, Sort and Search, which has not yet been covered.

Each stage has built on the last: the overlap gave you a strong foundation, Apple-specific questions added relevance, and NeetCode expanded your breadth. 

How close are you to 420 with the Apple prep roadmap?#

Let’s look at the score breakdown of our Apple-specific interview prep roadmap.

This score breakdown shows how each stage pushes you closer to the 420-point benchmark. The common overlap between NeetCode and Apple delivers the largest contribution with 186 points, making it the foundation of your prep. The Apple-only set adds another 49 points, giving you direct practice with Apple’s unique style of questions. The remaining NeetCode problems contribute 67 points, strengthening fundamentals and filling smaller gaps across patterns.

Altogether, these three stages bring you to 302 points, leaving 118 points still uncovered. You can close the remaining points with targeted practice across underrepresented patterns. It will take you to full coverage and eventually, the ideal 420.

Which makes you Apple-ready: NeetCode 150 or LeetCode patterns?#

LeetCode patterns are crucial because they give you the most powerful skill: the ability to adapt to new and evolving questions. When combined with static lists like NeetCode 150 and Apple Top 150, and applied through the rubric and scoring method, they form a smart Apple prep strategy that balances structure with flexibility.

This approach lets you build confidence step-by-step. Start with the NeetCode-Apple overlap, expand with Apple-specific problems, strengthen your base through the rest of NeetCode, and then close the gaps with patterns. Scoring your progress with the 1–2–1 method keeps your prep deliberate and ensures coverage across all 28 patterns, moving you closer to the 420-point benchmark.

In the end, the best preparation reflects Apple’s own philosophy: simple on the surface, but robust and adaptable underneath. With this roadmap, you will be prepared not just for familiar questions, but also for the unexpected ones that Apple is known to ask.

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 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.