NeetCode 150 vs. LeetCode patterns: Which is right for Snowflake?

Snowflake is one of the fastest-scaling data platforms on the planet, powering everything from Fortune 500 analytics to cutting-edge AI pipelines. The platform handles more than 4 billion queries daily, showing the scale and performance mindset behind its engineering culture. That explosive growth also means competition for engineering roles is intense, and the interviews are designed to be rigorous. To stand out, you need a prep strategy built for Snowflake’s unique challenges: distributed systems, large-scale data processing, and performance-driven problem-solving.

Two of the most popular coding interview prep roadmaps dominate the conversation: NeetCode 150 and LeetCode patterns. Both can sharpen your algorithmic thinking, but choosing the right one can make the difference between grinding problems and cracking Snowflake’s interview DNA.

In this blog, I will compare NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100 against LeetCode patterns from Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns. The goal is to see how these three prep paths stack up specifically for Snowflake interviews. I will highlight where each approach strengthens your preparation, where the gaps remain, and most importantly, how you can combine them into a Snowflake-focused roadmap that maximizes your chances of landing the offer.

A sneak peek at what really works for Snowflake interviews#

You cannot claim one approach is better than another without data. That is why I rely on a clear rubric and scoring system, which I introduced in the first blog, NeetCode 150 vs. LeetCode patterns, of this series, to quantify how effective each prep path is for Snowflake interviews. The rubric sets a consistent standard across all patterns, and the scores make it possible to see where each strategy helps and falls short. This way, the comparison is not based on opinion, but on measurable coverage of the skills Snowflake tests.

Let’s quickly revisit the 1–2–1 rubric that frames this analysis.

To count a pattern as fully covered, you need to solve 1 easy problem (1 point), 2 medium problems (4 points each), and 1 hard problem (6 points), adding up to 15 points per pattern. As there are 28 patterns, the gold standard comes to 420 points.

When mapped to Snowflake’s unique interview challenges, let’s see how NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100 stack against the 28 LeetCode patterns.

The chart above only tells part of the story. The real question is which problems and patterns drive these scores, and what this Snowflake-focused roadmap looks like. 

This blog will explore that. We will look past the numbers to understand how core patterns strengthen at each stage, where the gaps still need attention, and how to organize your prep to enter a Snowflake coding interview fully prepared and confident.

Quick recap: NeetCode 150, Snowflake top 100, and LeetCode patterns#

NeetCode 150 is a curated list of 150 problems that has become the go-to resource for coding interview prep. It covers the most common problem types you will likely encounter at MAANG coding interviews and also other top companies, giving you both breadth and structure in your practice.  

Snowflake top 100 is a company-specific set that reflects problems frequently asked in Snowflake interviews. This list is designed to capture Snowflake’s style. It helps you align your prep with Snowflake’s actual expectations.

LeetCode patterns is not a list of problems but a framework of 28 reusable strategies, such as Sliding Windows, Two Pointers, Heaps, and Backtracking. Patterns shift your focus from memorizing solutions to recognizing underlying problem types. This single approach equips you with adaptability, which is crucial when Snowflake introduces variations that you have not seen before.

Does completing NeetCode 150 make you Snowflake-ready?#

For a company like Snowflake, a leader in the data cloud whose product is built on a complex distributed systems architecture, NeetCode 150 alone cannot be considered “Snowflake-ready.”

While NeetCode 150 will strengthen your general problem-solving skills, it might not adequately prepare you for the company’s specific interview focus. Snowflake interviews often include questions that test your understanding of data-intensive problems, large-scale systems, and the fundamentals of databases and distributed computing.

Once you complete the NeetCode 150 problems, its scope is fixed. Snowflake, however, can easily introduce fresh problem variations or entirely new questions. With AI tools making it easier than ever for interviewers to design novel problem statements, relying only on a finite list of questions can leave significant gaps in your preparation.

NeetCode 150 should be viewed as a foundation, not a complete solution. To be truly Snowflake-ready, your preparation must go beyond a fixed list.

How do LeetCode patterns prepare you for Snowflake coding interviews?#

It isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about demonstrating the problem-solving mindset Snowflake values: efficiency, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of handling large datasets.

LeetCode patterns train you to recognize a problem’s underlying structure rather than relying on rote memorization. Whether the question involves arrays, graphs, or complex scheduling, the real advantage of patterns is that they cut through problem variations. Instead of getting stuck on how the problem is worded, you can identify it as a Sliding Window, Two Pointers, Heap, or Dynamic Programming challenge and apply a proven strategy. This shift from memorization to recognition makes you resilient against new or unfamiliar problems in Snowflake interviews.

Overview of 28 patterns for Snowflake coding interviews#

With 28 LeetCode patterns, knowing where to begin your coding interview prep can be tricky. To make Snowflake-focused preparation more approachable, I’ve grouped them into four simple categories:

1. Must-know patterns: These patterns appear frequently in Snowflake interviews and form the base of your preparation.

2. High-value patterns: These occur often enough that practicing them adds depth and builds confidence, especially for efficiency-focused problems.

3. Solid but situational patterns: These appear less frequently, but knowing them ensures you can handle unusual twists when they show up.

4. Finishing-line helpers: These are rare in interviews, but still worth covering so no pattern feels completely new.

Snowflake might emphasize some patterns more than others, but exposure to all 28 ensures balanced preparation and reduces the risk of surprises.

The Snowflake-focused prep roadmap with 28 LeetCode patterns#

Preparing for Snowflake interviews is not about solving as many random problems as possible. A smarter approach is to structure your prep in stages, where each step adds new coverage and gets you closer to Snowflake’s style of questions. Here is how NeetCode 150, Snowflake top 100, and the 28 coding patterns come together into a focused roadmap.

1. Start with the NeetCode-Snowflake overlap: These shared problems give you the quickest, strong foundation. They strengthen core topics while aligning with the types of challenges Snowflake interviewers often ask.

2. Add the Snowflake-only set: This stage brings in Snowflake’s distinct problem space. 

3. Work through the rest of NeetCode 150: Working through the rest ensures your prep is not narrowly focused. It gives you full coverage of the fundamentals that any top-tier company, including Snowflake, will expect you to know.

4. Fill in the missing patterns: Review all 28 patterns to confirm no gaps. Covering every pattern reduces the chance of being thrown off by an unexpected question and completes your preparation.

Applying the 1–2–1 rubric to balance easy, medium, and hard problems throughout this roadmap. This keeps your practice structured and ensures depth as well as breadth.

First: Focus on the NeetCode-Snowflake overlap#

Starting with the overlap gives you immediate returns. These problems reinforce the fundamentals while directly matching many of the patterns Snowflake interviewers care about. Solving this set first, you cover a meaningful portion of both lists in one step and set a strong base before moving forward.

Look at NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100 side by side to see which problems overlap.

The comparison above shows that 35 problems are common to NeetCode 150 and Snowflake’s top 100. This is a good starting point because it saves you effort while ensuring you work on problems that matter for both breadth and Snowflake relevance. 

Let’s see what patterns this overlapping set brings and how well they are covered according to the scores and 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:  I have only considered the counts that satisfy our 1—2—1 rubric for this calculation. If a pattern has more questions than the rubric requires, 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 chart above shows that starting with the overlap unlocks 18 out of 28 patterns (about 64%). Crossing the halfway mark this early is a very promising start. One of these patterns is in the green zone, i.e., well covered, and several others are in the yellow zone with partial coverage.

Even getting to know these patterns counts a lot in your Snowflake prep roadmap, as then you can use the 1-2-1 rubric to fill the gaps with targeted practice.

Next: Practice the Snowflake-only problems #

Once the overlap is covered, the next step is to tackle the Snowflake-only problems. This set is valuable because it exposes you to variations unique to Snowflake interviews. Working through these questions trains you to think about efficiency at scale, data-intensive processing, and distributed scenarios that might not appear in generic lists. Solving this set next ensures your preparation is tailored to Snowflake’s real expectations.

Let’s check which additional patterns come from the Snowflake-only questions.

The list above shows that the Snowflake-specific questions bring 8 new patterns to the surface, taking the total to 26 out of 28 patterns, about 93%. This is a big jump and brings you much closer to completing the roadmap. Reaching this stage is valuable because it means most of the key strategies you need for Snowflake interviews are already in play.

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

The chart above shows that including Snowflake-specific questions dramatically improves the picture. Many patterns, such as Greedy Techniques, Dynamic Programming, and Two Pointers, shift into the green zone, showing full or near-full coverage. However, some partially covered or underrepresented patterns still need your attention.

Finally: Complete the remaining NeetCode 150#

Solving the rest of NeetCode 150 ensures your preparation is not limited to Snowflake’s scope alone. These problems broaden your coverage across all major patterns and fundamentals, giving you the balance needed for top-tier interviews in general. By finishing the entire set, you strengthen areas that may not appear in Snowflake’s top 100 but are still critical for demonstrating well-rounded problem-solving ability.

Let’s see which patterns get unlocked by practicing the remaining problems of NeetCode 150.

The list above shows that working through the remaining NeetCode 150 problems takes the total to 28 patterns, a complete 100%. This is an excellent outcome and exactly what we expect at this stage. You now have exposure to all the patterns. 

Next, check how well each pattern is covered according to the 1–2–1 rubric.

The chart above shows that most patterns are now in the green zone, i.e., are well covered. The few still partial or underrepresented can be brought up to full strength by applying the 1–2–1 rubric and targeting missing easy, medium, or hard problems.

Quickly check if your Snowflake coding interview prep is complete now?#

You now have exposure to all 28 patterns, which is a big achievement. But the question remains: does this translate into complete readiness for a Snowflake coding interview? Let’s look at how far each pattern has been covered so far.

The overall roadmap gives a strong picture of pattern coverage. Out of 28 patterns, 15 are now in the green zone. This is an excellent outcome because it shows that more than half the patterns are well established through this roadmap.

Several patterns sit in the yellow zone, including Heaps, Merge Intervals, Top K Elements, Hash Maps, Knowing What to Track, and Bitwise Manipulation. These are partially covered, and most of them need just one additional problem at a missing difficulty level (hard) to reach the green zone.

Seven patterns remain in the red zone, i.e., underrepresented, such as Subsets, Matrices, Custom Data Structures, K-way Merge, Fast and Slow Pointers, Sort and Search, and Cyclic Sort. These will require more deliberate practice, but the good part is that none of the patterns are completely missing. Every single one has at least some exposure in this roadmap, which means you already have a starting point for each.

With the 1–2–1 rubric, it is clear what problems must be added to lift the yellow and red patterns into green. This is what turns a strong roadmap into a complete one.

Patterns recap for the Snowflake interview prep#

Now that we’ve looked at the details stage by stage, let’s step back and see the bigger picture. The chart below shows how pattern coverage grows across the Snowflake prep roadmap.

The largest share comes from the common patterns between NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100, contributing about 64%. Snowflake-only questions then add nearly 29% more coverage. Finally, the NeetCode-only problems add the remaining 7%. While smaller in proportion, this last stage ensures no pattern is left behind.

The good part is that by the end of this roadmap, all 28 patterns will have some level of exposure. What remains is not discovering a new pattern but strengthening the partially covered one, which can be completed by applying the 1–2–1 rubric with targeted practice.

How close are you to 420 with this Snowflake-focused roadmap?#

Pattern coverage tells one side of the story, but the full measure of readiness comes from the score. Let’s see how close this Snowflake-focused roadmap brings you to the ideal 420.

The score chart above shows steady progress toward the ideal 420. The biggest contribution comes from the common set between NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100, which adds 128 points and gives a strong foundation. Snowflake-only problems follow with 120 points, filling in company-specific depth and bringing you much closer to readiness. The NeetCode-only set contributes another 69 points, ensuring broader coverage and strengthening fundamentals.

The roadmap gives you 317 points out of 420. That leaves 103 points open, which can be achieved by targeting the underrepresented patterns. The 1–2–1 rubric, which includes easy, medium, and hard problems, needs to be added to close the gap.

Wrapping up: NeetCode 150 or LeetCode patterns? #

If landing an offer at Snowflake were as simple as finishing NeetCode 150, preparation would be much easier. The truth is that no single resource by itself is enough. NeetCode 150 gives you the breadth and structure to cover the fundamentals, but it is a static list. Snowflake’s top 100 captures the company’s style and highlights the kinds of twists you are likely to face, yet by itself; it lacks the broader adaptability you need. LeetCode patterns provide adaptability, training you to think in strategies to handle any variation Snowflake interviewers throw your way.

The smartest and strongest preparation strategy combines all three. Start by building a foundation with the overlap between NeetCode 150 and Snowflake top 100, then complete the Snowflake-specific problems and strengthen your adaptability through patterns. This way, you cover core breadth, company relevance, and problem-solving flexibility.

In the end, Snowflake interviews reward engineers who think clearly under pressure, choose efficient approaches, and adapt to new challenges. By aligning your prep with NeetCode 150, Snowflake top 100, and LeetCode patterns, you give yourself the best chance to walk into the interview room prepared and Snowflake-ready.

Recommended resources to level up your interview prep#

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

• Educative’s Personalized Interview Prep: Your tailored prep companion 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 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 technically prepared, confident, and ready to perform under time constraints.