Is NeetCode 150 enough to crack big tech interviews?

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With thousands of problems on LeetCode and dozens of prep strategies floating around, it’s easy to feel lost. That’s why more and more candidates are turning to NeetCode 150; a laser-focused list promising just what you need to land the job.

What you get is just 150 problems, and this roadmap promises to get you ready for the toughest technical interviews — from startups to big tech companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, and Netflix. But is it really enough?

Let’s break it down.

What is NeetCode 150, really?#

The NeetCode 150 is a curated set of problems compiled by a Google software engineer. It’s not just a random list—each question is handpicked to cover critical data structures and algorithms like arrays, graphs, dynamic programming, trees, and backtracking. 

The problems are organized by topic and difficulty, making it easy to progress from beginner to interview-ready.

What sets this list apart is the focus on quality over quantity. Instead of solving 500+ problems, you’re solving 150 that actually matter. Each problem has a detailed walkthrough (video and code), which is ideal if you’re a visual learner or short on time.

What big tech interviews actually test#

While NeetCode 150 covers core algorithmic skills, let’s talk about what interviews at Google, Meta, and similar companies really test for:

• Problem-solving under pressure: Can you reason clearly and communicate tradeoffs?

• System Design: Especially in mid-level and senior roles, candidates are expected to design scalable systems.

• Behavioral interviews: “Tell me about a time…” questions can make or break your round.

• Depth of understanding: Knowing the optimal solution isn’t enough, you’ll need to explain why it’s correct and how it scales.

NeetCode 150 prepares you exceptionally well for the data structures & algorithms portion, which often makes up 50–70% of the process. But to crack all the rounds at a big tech company, you’ll need to go a step further.

Where NeetCode 150 shines (and where to go next)#

NeetCode 150 is more than enough for entry-level and new grad interviews, especially at companies that heavily emphasize DSA. If you’re consistent with it, understand the patterns behind the solutions, and simulate mock interviews, you’ll be in a strong position.

But if you're aiming for senior roles or top-tier companies, here’s how to go beyond the list:

• System Design: Use NeetCode Pro or a dedicated System Design interview course to build this muscle.

• Behavioral prep: Practice STAR method format answers and get feedback from peers or mentors.

• Mock interviews: Platforms like Educative or Interviewing.io can help you pressure-test your skills through mock interviews.

• Company-specific prep: Dive into Glassdoor or LeetCode Discuss to find recent questions from the company you’re targeting.

How long should you spend on NeetCode 150?#

One of the most common follow-up questions is: how much time should you spend on the NeetCode 150?

That depends on your schedule and baseline experience. For example:

• Full-time learners: 4–6 weeks is a reasonable timeline with 4–6 hours per day.

• Part-time learners: Expect to spend around 2–3 months if you're practicing in the evenings or on weekends.

What matters more than speed is retention. Don’t rush through the problems just to check them off. Focus on understanding patterns, revisiting hard questions, and writing clean code from scratch without peeking at the solution.

Combining NeetCode 150 with real-world projects#

If you're aiming for more than just passing interviews — say, becoming a stronger engineer overall — it's smart to balance interview prep with hands-on project work. 

While NeetCode 150 sharpens your algorithmic thinking, building real-world projects improves your design skills, debugging habits, and familiarity with tools like Git, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.

For example:

• Clone a simplified version of a product (e.g., a to-do app with React and Firebase).

• Deploy it to the cloud and explain your architecture decisions.

• Tie in learnings from System Design concepts (like load balancing or database sharding).

This dual approach of DSA and project work often makes candidates stand out in on-sites and final rounds.

How to stay motivated through the NeetCode grind#

Consistency is key when tackling a list like NeetCode 150, but staying motivated can be challenging. Here are a few ways to keep your momentum:

• Join a study group or Discord community.

• Track your progress with spreadsheets or GitHub repos.

• Reward yourself after each milestone — even a streak of 5–10 questions.

• Celebrate small wins, like solving your first hard problem or explaining a concept clearly to someone else.

What to do after finishing NeetCode 150#

So you’ve finished the 150 problems — what next?

• Start solving company-tagged problems on LeetCode.

• Practice timed mock interviews to simulate pressure.

• Shift focus to System Design and behavioral interview questions.

• Reflect on which topics you struggled with and redo select problems from scratch.

Finishing the list isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of refinement.

Should you do NeetCode 75 first?#

If you’re just starting out, switching careers, or feel overwhelmed by the full NeetCode 150, the NeetCode 75 is a great place to begin.

This condensed list focuses on the most essential patterns across arrays, strings, hash maps, recursion, and basic dynamic programming. It builds a strong foundation of problem-solving skills without the commitment of the full 150.

Benefits of starting with NeetCode 75:

• Lower time investment: you can complete it in 2–4 weeks.

• Early wins: solving a smaller set helps build momentum and confidence.

• Pattern recognition: you’ll start noticing reused logic and solution templates.

Once you've completed NeetCode 75, transitioning to the full NeetCode 150 will feel like leveling up rather than starting from scratch. You'll also have a better sense of your preferred learning style and pacing, which helps tailor your approach to the remaining problems.

Why NeetCode 150 is better than solving 300+ random LeetCode problems#

Many candidates spend months grinding through random problems without a clear path. What makes NeetCode 150 better?

• It’s structured: Problems are grouped by topic and difficulty.

• It’s strategic: Focuses on high-frequency patterns and concepts.

• It’s explainable: Includes clear video explanations to solidify understanding.

This saves you time and prevents burnout.

How NeetCode 150 helps identify weak spots#

One underrated benefit of a curated list like NeetCode 150 is how clearly it surfaces your weaknesses. Unlike solving random problems, a structured progression forces you to confront your gaps.

As you work through the list, keep a reflection log where you note:

• Topics that consistently take you longer than others

• Problem types where you rely heavily on hints or solutions

• Logical or syntax mistakes that recur in your code

• Time complexity errors or misconceptions in edge cases

After every 10–15 problems, pause and look for patterns. Are you struggling more with dynamic programming? Are tree-based problems slowing you down? Are off-by-one errors creeping into sliding window solutions?

By turning your reflection into a feedback loop, NeetCode 150 becomes a prep checklist and a diagnostic tool to target your growth.

Using spaced repetition to reinforce NeetCode patterns#

Solving a problem once doesn’t mean you’ve mastered it. In fact, most people forget 70–80% of what they’ve learned if they don’t revisit it. That’s where spaced repetition comes in; a scientifically proven technique to boost long-term retention.

Try revisiting key problems after a few days, then again after a week, and again after a month. The idea is to review material right before you’re about to forget it.

Use tools like Anki or Notion flashcards to schedule and track these reviews. You can also set up simple reminders in your calendar to revisit:

• Dynamic programming patterns (e.g., knapsack, LIS)

• Graph traversal logic (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra’s algorithm)

• Sliding window and two-pointer techniques

• Edge case traps and common bugs you’ve hit before

If you solve a problem again and find it easy, great! You’ve retained it. If not, it's a signal to go deeper. This cycle of review builds true mastery over time.

Final words#

So, is NeetCode 150 enough to crack big tech interviews?

Yes, if you treat it as your foundation, not your ceiling.

It gives you the problem-solving chops and confidence to pass technical screens and whiteboard rounds. But pair it with system design, coding, behavioral prep, mock interviews, and real-world projects, and you’ve got a full-stack prep strategy.