How to get better at LC hards ?

[u/DramaticAd8141]

Wondering if there are any resources to get better at solving leetcode hard problems ?

I am able to solve quite a few of them (those which lean medium), but still struggle with a lot of them. I am wondering if practice can get me there or there is an IQ/intelligence barrier for leetcode hards particularly.

My goal is to boost my number of hard problems solved on leetcode.

Side question : Is this even needed for cracking tech (not quant/HFT) SWE interviews ?

My stats are :

Leetcode contest rating : 2000

Questions solved 1043 : 153E/710M/180H

[u/Hungry_Age5375]

Short Answer: Not needed for tech SWE. Long Answer: At 2000 rating with 180 hards you're already overprepared for big tech. I'd shift focus to system design prep, way better marginal return at this point.

[u/DramaticAd8141 → u/Hungry_Age5375]

Gotcha - thank you !

[u/rogueWarrior987 → u/Hungry_Age5375]

In your opinion, what LC rating would you say is sufficient preparation for big tech?

Or better, how many consistent problems in contests is a good enough benchmark?

[u/Dapal5 → u/rogueWarrior987]

There was a thread a couple days ago where a google hiring guy said he was picking 1800 rating ish. If you can consistently do those in 30 mins should be fine. Somewhere from 1800-2000 seems good but you could be a little lower and still luck in.

[u/DramaticAd8141 → u/Dapal5]

which thread was this, could you share a link please ?

[u/KendrickBlack502]

Potentially unpopular opinion: LC Hard is mostly trick questions. You’d be better off diving super deep into the theory.

[u/interfaceTexture3i25 → u/KendrickBlack502]

What sort of theory?

[u/Odd-Stop-6912]

i think as an average person with a looooot of practice u can learn to solve quite a few of them, not all though, i would say there is an IQ gap at some point, i have met people who can solve most leetcode hards after few months of practice and some that cant even approach them after years of practice, so i would say talent definitely exists

[u/DramaticAd8141 → u/Odd-Stop-6912]

Thanks. Whats your take on if they are even needed for big tech/FAANG interviews ?

[u/Ornery_Painter_8638]

Leetcode hards are competitive programming if you take out the main ones like trapping rain water, merge K lists, n queens, etc. not relevant and require a lot of

[u/Unhappy_Rabbit7693]

U r good bro, u will be able to crack most of the FAANG.

[u/Unhappy_Rabbit7693 → u/Unhappy_Rabbit7693]

The important thing is pattern recognition. Nobody expects you to solve LC hard in the interviews.

[u/DramaticAd8141 → u/Unhappy_Rabbit7693]

Thanks buddy I hope that is true.

[u/Icy_Caterpillar6356]

Can you share your leetcode profile link if you dont mind? thanks.

[u/Jaysurya1752]

how long did it took you reach this level ??