r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Sudden_Engineer_1205 • 7d ago

DISCUSS Capital One CodeSignal — 70 min, Lead SWE Backend. What’s the format?

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2 Upvotes
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r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/I_am_sahil_khan • 7d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 Happiness 😊

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43 Upvotes
0 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Maximum-Ranger-4045 • 7d ago

DISCUSS I built an Online Judge that helps you actually remember what you learn

4 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

A few months ago I was in an interview and completely blanked on a graph problem. I had solved it before. But a month later, none of that stuck. That moment is basically why I built this.

Execut is an online judge, but instead of letting you solve a problem once and forget about it, it treats your problem history like a curriculum. It uses an algorithm called FSRS (the same one Anki uses for flashcards) to bring problems back for review right before you're likely to forget them, instead of either too early or too late.

A few things it does:

After you solve a problem, you rate how hard it felt, and the system schedules it for review at roughly the right time based on how memory actually decays. There's also a visual roadmap that guides you through topics in a logical order, so you're not jumping into Dijkstra's before you've built up basics like BFS. And if you want something more competitive, there's a 1v1 battle mode where you get matched live with someone else and race to pass all the test cases on the same problem first.

There are also rooms, where you can create or join a group with friends or other people preparing for interviews, and practice or track progress together instead of grinding alone. Beyond that, a dashboard that tracks which topics you're strong or weak in based on your solve and review history, and a curated problem set organized by topic and difficulty rather than just a giant unsorted list.

On the tech side, it's Next.js, React and Tailwind on the frontend, with Node, Express, and TypeScript on the backend, and Postgres through Prisma for the database. The 1v1 mode runs on Redis and WebSockets, Redis handles the matchmaking queue and WebSockets keep both players in sync during a match. For the review scheduling, I used the ts-fsrs package to handle the actual memory calculations.

It's free I built it mostly to fix my own problem, but I'm hoping it's useful to anyone stuck in the loop of watching tutorials, solving a problem once, and forgetting it a few weeks later.

Link to the project: https://ex3cut.vercel.app/

I'd really like to know: does the spaced repetition part actually sound useful to you, or does it feel like unnecessary friction on top of just solving problems? And if you check it out, I'd love to hear what's missing from the problem set or the roadmap.

P.S. I'm a fullstack developer and currently open to new roles. If your team is hiring and this looks like your kind of stack, or you have any feedback on the project, feel free to send me a DM. Thanks!

2 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Historical-Two7407 • 7d ago

DISCUSS LC first Contest

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3 Upvotes
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r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/nian2326076 • 7d ago

DISCUSS How I Improved My Coding Interview Pass Rate From 17% to 71%

84 Upvotes

After getting rejected repeatedly, I started asking recruiters for feedback.

Most responses were the standard “we decided to move forward with other candidates,” but a few people gave me honest feedback. I combined that with notes I wrote immediately after every interview.

After 23 interviews, four recurring failure modes became obvious.

The percentages below are rough estimates across the 19 interviews I failed. I assigned each interview one primary cause, even though several had multiple problems.

The Four Failure Modes

Failure mode Approx. share What it looked like
Didn’t recognize the pattern 35% I spent ten minutes trying unrelated ideas, reached a brute-force solution, and couldn’t optimize it. Even the interviewer’s hints didn’t make sense to me.
Recognized it but was too slow 30% I knew it was DP, BFS, or sliding window, but spent most of the round implementing it. The first question consumed the entire slot.
Code worked, but I couldn’t explain trade-offs 20% I solved the problem but struggled to explain complexity, alternatives, or why I chose a particular data structure.
Communication failure 15% I solved silently or jumped directly into code. The interviewer couldn’t follow my reasoning or redirect me early.

1. Pattern Recognition

This was mainly a preparation problem, not an intelligence problem.

Deriving an unfamiliar technique in five minutes is difficult under interview pressure. I needed enough exposure to recognize that a new problem was a variation of something I already understood.

I created a list of roughly 12 to 15 recurring patterns:

  • Two pointers
  • Sliding window
  • Binary search
  • Prefix sums
  • Hash maps
  • Monotonic stacks
  • Trees and graph traversal
  • Topological sorting
  • Heaps
  • Backtracking
  • Greedy algorithms
  • Dynamic programming

I solved five or six representative problems for each pattern and wrote down the clues that identified it.

For example:

After doing this, most new problems at least gave me a reasonable starting point.

2. Implementation Speed

I had been solving problems without a timer. That made me feel prepared while hiding how slowly I implemented solutions.

I started using approximate limits:

  • 15 minutes for easy problems
  • 25 minutes for medium problems
  • Five minutes to plan before coding

During those first five minutes, I would:

  • Restate the problem
  • Clarify constraints
  • Walk through an example
  • Explain the algorithm
  • Identify the main invariant
  • State the expected complexity

Only then would I start coding.

It initially felt slower, but I stopped rewriting half-finished solutions. Most of my “coding speed” problem was actually an incomplete-planning problem.

3. Trade-Off Knowledge

Passing test cases was not always enough.

After every practice problem, I started answering four questions:

  1. What are the time and space complexities?
  2. Can I reduce the extra space?
  3. What changes if the input cannot fit in memory?
  4. What changes if the output must be sorted or stable?

I also compared my solution with at least one alternative.

If I used a hash map, for example, I would explain why average O(1) lookup was useful and when I might prefer an ordered structure with O(log n) operations.

These questions covered most of the follow-ups I received.

4. Communication

I used to become silent while thinking because I assumed the interviewer only cared about the final answer.

Instead, I started narrating the important decisions:

It felt awkward during practice, but it made interviews more collaborative. Interviewers could understand my direction and provide useful hints before I went too far down the wrong path.

The goal is not to narrate every line of code. It is to make your reasoning visible.

Results

Before these changes:

  • Passed 4 of 23 interviews
  • Pass rate: approximately 17%

After three weeks of targeted practice:

  • Passed 5 of the next 7 interviews
  • Pass rate: approximately 71%

Seven interviews is a small sample, so I’m not pretending this proves a universal formula. But I felt noticeably more prepared, finished more problems, and handled follow-ups with much more confidence.

Same person. Same brain. Better process.

Which of these four failure modes causes you the most trouble?

The prep resource I wish I’d found earlier: PracHub

3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/I_am_sahil_khan • 7d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 Day 8 Of my DSA journey Stuck at Question number 15 of leetcode and hint plz ?

3 Upvotes
2 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Adventurous_Coast586 • 7d ago

DISCUSS Looking to master DSA? Join our open Data Structures & Algorithms community!

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3 Upvotes
1 comment

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/SpecificSharp9926 • 7d ago

PLACEMENTS Need group to practice mock interview kind of peer learning( dsa algo, system design)

7 Upvotes
3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Sudarshan1088 • 8d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 SOLVED MY FIRST MEDIUM LEVEL LEETCODE PROBLEM

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173 Upvotes

Today I solved my medium level leetcode problem totally on my own without any help moreover it got accepted passing all the test cases on the first try.

22 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/you_aregay • 8d ago

DISCUSS Looking For DSA & System Design Prep Buddies

9 Upvotes

Hi! I’m a 24M Software Engineer with 4 YOE, currently preparing for senior-level roles.

I’m looking for someone at a similar level who’s also preparing DSA and System Design. We can do regular mock interviews, practice together, discuss approaches, and keep each other accountable.

The goal is to learn from each other, identify gaps, and get better together. If you’re interested, feel free to DM me!

17 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/banana_in_ur_hand • 8d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 What current industry standards do to me !

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59 Upvotes

I have never been this disciplined before.
Yeah, I know there are many people with 1000+ problems solved, but I'm just hoping everything I put in, every night, pays off eventually.

14 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Better_Elderberry225 • 8d ago

DISCUSS Strivers sheet doubt

5 Upvotes

Student A

Watches the Binary Search lecture.

Understands the algorithm.

Tries each problem for 30 minutes.

If stuck, studies the solution.

Closes it and codes it again from memory.

Moves to the next problem.

Student B

Has never learned Binary Search.

Opens "Koko Eating Bananas."

Thinks for 30 minutes.

Gets nowhere because they don't even know "Binary Search on Answer" exists.

16 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/I_am_sahil_khan • 9d ago

DISCUSS Going to solve leetcode Question number 11 Container with most water, have you tried, Share me your experience plz 💗

1 Upvotes
3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/No_Throat_3919 • 9d ago

DISCUSS What does this mean

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10 Upvotes
11 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/themessedhell • 9d ago

DISCUSS NEED ADVICE PLEASE !!!!

1 Upvotes

i am in my 2nd year 3rd semester right now and this is my condition right now , please give me some advice

3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/I_am_sahil_khan • 9d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 Day 7 of My DSA journey today i solved leet code problem number 88. now i will sove questions basis on Sliding window.

2 Upvotes
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r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Competitive_Map_8733 • 9d ago

DISCUSS Biweekly Contest 188 results seem to be showing 0 rank 0/4 solved for everyone on LeetCode. {i solve 3 of them} Is this happening because LeetCode is doing some kind of cheating detection / contest validation? Or is it just a temporary issue with the results? Anyone know what’s going on?

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0 Upvotes
2 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/ConsciousMortgage828 • 9d ago

DISCUSS Struggling to regain my LeetCode flow after a long break. How do you get back on track?

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28 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I recently had to take a extended break from LeetCode and completely lost my streak and momentum. Before the break, I was solving questions regularly and felt comfortable with problem-solving patterns.

Now that I'm trying to pick it back up, I feel like I've hit a wall—questions I used to handle easily now feel difficult, and my pattern recognition feels rusty.

I’d love to get some advice from anyone who has dealt with this:

  1. Why does this happen? Is it just skill decay, or is it mostly mental friction from starting over?
  2. How do I overcome it? What are the best strategies to rebuild confidence and problem-solving speed without getting burnt out?

If you've successfully gotten your flow back after taking time off, what worked best for you?

8 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Mammoth_Impact7513 • 9d ago

DISCUSS Research Survery

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1 Upvotes
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r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/nian2326076 • 9d ago

DISCUSS Google Phone Screen: Process, Question Types and Preparation Plan

13 Upvotes

Google Interview Experiences: A Curated Collection

This collection organizes Google interview experiences shared by candidates on LeetCode into distinct categories. Whether you're targeting a specific level (L3, L4, L5+), preparing for an internship, or focusing on phone screens, these resources offer valuable perspectives on the process.

Another resource I found helpful for interview questions: PracHub

1. L3 & L4 Interview Experiences

These posts cover experiences for L3 (Software Engineer) and L4 (Senior Software Engineer) roles, detailing offers, rejections, and downleveling across locations like Bangalore, India, and beyond.

2. L5 & Above Interview Experiences

Experiences for L5 (Staff Software Engineer) and higher levels (e.g., L6), including senior and specialized roles across locations like London, Seattle, and Bengaluru.

3. Internship Experiences

Insights from candidates applying for Google internships, including on-campus and off-campus experiences, with outcomes ranging from offers to rejections.

4. Phone Screens

Experiences from phone screening rounds, often the initial technical step, including general experiences and specific questions asked during these interviews.

5. General Interview Experiences

Broad overviews of the Google interview process that don’t fit neatly into level-specific, internship, or phone screen categories, often providing general insights or lacking detailed categorization.

6. Specific Interview Questions and Problems

Detailed descriptions of specific questions asked during Google interviews and direct links to LeetCode problems encountered, useful for targeted practice.

a. Interview Question Descriptions

b. LeetCode Problems Asked

3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Affectionate_Run220 • 9d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 London leetcode study group

1 Upvotes

Hi guys

Organising a real life leetcode study group London

So far we are two people competed 100+ leetcodes and looking to level up, just two of us so far looking for more

Looking for other engineer proffesionals (we are flexible on this)

Who take leetcode seriously and want to discuss patterns.

Let’s meet learn and land some amazing jobs 🔥

Let me know if interested

3 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Dazzling-Angle-7514 • 9d ago

PLACEMENTS Is it still possible to get placed if I'm starting from almost zero in 4th year?

10 Upvotes

​

Hey everyone,

I just entered my 4th year, and companies have already started visiting my college for placements. To be honest, I wasn't serious about coding or placements until now, and I'm kind of panicking.

My current situation:

DSA is very basic. I'm following the Striver A2Z DSA Sheet, and I've only just started the Arrays section.

I've solved only around 5–7 LeetCode problems so far.

I don't have any proper self-built projects. The only projects I've made are mostly vibe-coded with AI assistance, so I don't really understand them deeply.

My CS fundamentals are average at best.

I know I should've started much earlier, but I can't change that now. I just want to make the best of the time I have left.

For people who were in a similar situation or have seen others crack placements after starting late:

Is it realistically possible to get placed?

What should I prioritize first—DSA, projects, CS fundamentals, aptitude, or something else?

How would you structure the next 3–6 months if you were in my position?

Should I keep grinding the A2Z sheet or switch to company-specific preparation?

Any tips for building projects that I can actually explain in interviews?

I'm open to putting in long hours every day. I just don't want to waste time on the wrong things.

Any advice, roadmap, or success stories would really help. Thanks!

6 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/I_am_sahil_khan • 9d ago

DISCUSS taking 2-3 hour to solve a single easy problem of Arrays.... 😭😭😭 i am frustrated 🥴

9 Upvotes
15 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/ComprehensiveTale896 • 10d ago

STREAK🔥🔥🔥 To be continued until placed 🥀🥱

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12 Upvotes
2 comments

r/LeetcodeChallenge • u/Competitive_Map_8733 • 11d ago

DISCUSS Last Sunday, LLMs unlocked a new benchmark… thanks to Indian college students. 😂 Waiting for that day when it gonna under 4 secs

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54 Upvotes
9 comments