Choosing Your Interview Study Path: Complete Analysis & Recommendations 2026
With multiple established problem lists available, discover which approach matches your timeline, goals, and learning style.
When I started interview prep, I was overwhelmed by choice. Blind 75? NeetCode 150? LeetCode Top Interview Questions? Grind 75? I ended up doing both Blind 75 and NeetCode 150, and now I have opinions.
The short answer: start with Blind 75. If you have time and want more depth, expand to NeetCode 150. Here's why.
Quick Comparison
| Blind 75 | NeetCode 150 | |
|---|---|---|
| Problems | 75 | 150 |
| Time to Complete | 4-6 weeks | 8-12 weeks |
| Categories | 10 | 15+ |
| Video Solutions | Community-made | Official NeetCode videos |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate-Hard |
| Best For | Time-constrained prep | Comprehensive prep |
Blind 75: The Original
What Is It?
Created by Yangshun Tay in 2018, the Blind 75 is a curated list of the most essential LeetCode problems. It was shared on Blind (the anonymous professional network) and went viral because it actually worked.
Pros
- Focused and achievable
- Covers core patterns
- Battle-tested by thousands
- Good for limited time
Cons
-
Some gaps in coverage -
Missing newer patterns -
No official video explanations
NeetCode 150: The Expansion
What Is It?
Created by NeetCode (a popular coding interview YouTuber), this list expands on Blind 75 with 75 additional problems. It fills gaps in the original list and adds more advanced topics.
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage
- Video solution for every problem
- Includes Blind 75 + extras
- Nice roadmap/website
Cons
-
Double the time commitment -
Diminishing returns on extra 75 -
Can feel overwhelming
My Recommendation
Choose Based on Your Timeline
Less than 6 weeks → Blind 75
Focus on quality over quantity. Master these 75 problems and you'll cover most interview patterns.
6-12 weeks → NeetCode 150
You have time for comprehensive prep. The extra problems fill gaps and give you more practice.
More than 12 weeks → NeetCode 150 + Topic Deep Dives
Finish NeetCode 150, then go deeper on weak areas or add company-specific practice.
What Extra Topics Does NeetCode 150 Cover?
Additional Categories in NeetCode 150
- Two Pointers: Expanded coverage with more advanced problems
- Backtracking: More permutation and combination problems
- Tries: Additional trie problems beyond Blind 75
- Advanced Graphs: Dijkstra, Bellman-Ford, more Union Find
- 1D/2D DP: More dynamic programming variations
- Greedy: Dedicated category with classic problems
- Math & Geometry: Number theory, coordinate geometry
Practice Explaining Your Solutions
Solving problems is half the battle. Craqly helps you practice communicating your approach clearly—a skill that matters as much as the code.
The Bottom Line
Blind 75 is the essentials. NeetCode 150 is the comprehensive course. Both work. The "best" one is the one you'll actually finish.
If you're short on time, Blind 75 will cover you for most interviews. If you have time and want to be thorough, NeetCode 150 is excellent. Don't overthink it—pick one and start.
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