How many hours of LeetCode a day?

The number of hours you should dedicate to LeetCode per day depends on your goals, your current skill level, and how much time you can commit. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, having a structured plan with consistent practice is key. Here’s a breakdown of how many hours you should aim to spend each day based on your skill level and preparation goals.

1. Factors to Consider

a. Skill Level

• Beginner: Just starting with algorithms and data structures.
• Intermediate: Familiar with coding problems but needing improvement in solving more complex problems efficiently.
• Advanced: Comfortable with most algorithms and data structures but seeking to optimize problem-solving speed and tackle advanced problems.

b. Preparation Goal

• Interview Preparation: Prepping for coding interviews at companies like Google, Facebook, or Amazon, which typically require proficiency in Medium and Hard LeetCode problems.
• Skill Improvement: Aiming to improve general problem-solving abilities and get better at algorithms and coding challenges.
• Competitive Programming: Looking to excel in coding competitions, which require extensive daily practice.

2. Suggested Hours Based on Experience Level

a. Beginners (1 to 2 Hours Per Day)

If you're just starting, aim for 1 to 2 hours per day to gradually build your understanding of algorithms and problem-solving skills.

• Focus: Spend time learning fundamental concepts like arrays, strings, recursion, and sorting algorithms before jumping into problem-solving.
• Problem-Solving: Start with Easy problems to build confidence, then transition to Medium problems as you grow more comfortable.
• Review: Use part of your daily practice time to review problems you've solved, especially focusing on time and space complexity.

b. Intermediate (2 to 4 Hours Per Day)

For intermediate-level learners, who already understand the basics but need to improve their problem-solving speed and ability to handle more difficult problems, aim for 2 to 4 hours per day.

• Focus: Spend most of your time solving Medium problems while revisiting basic concepts as needed.
• Daily Routine: Try to solve 4-6 problems a day, balancing Easy, Medium, and a few Hard problems. Spend time optimizing your solutions.
• Optimization: Start practicing problems that require dynamic programming, graphs, trees, and other advanced data structures.
• Review: Review each solution to understand various approaches, learn new patterns, and improve your coding efficiency.

c. Advanced (4+ Hours Per Day)

For advanced coders aiming to ace interviews at top tech companies or preparing for coding competitions, plan to spend 4 or more hours per day.

• Focus: Spend the majority of your time solving Hard problems and refining solutions to ensure they're optimal in terms of time and space complexity.
• Problem-Solving: Solve 6-8 problems per day, with a focus on tackling more complex problems that involve dynamic programming, graph algorithms, backtracking, or system design.
• Mock Interviews: Regularly practice mock interviews under time pressure to simulate real interview environments. Use platforms like LeetCode Premium or Pramp to get feedback.
• Competitive Coding: Participate in coding contests and time yourself while solving problems to build speed and accuracy.

3. How to Structure Your Practice Time

Sample Plan for 2 Hours (Beginner/Intermediate)

• First Hour:
  • 30 minutes: Learn or review a key algorithm/data structure (e.g., binary search, recursion, dynamic programming).
  • 30 minutes: Solve 1-2 Easy problems to reinforce your understanding.
• Second Hour:
  • 40 minutes: Solve 1-2 Medium problems, focusing on understanding the problem statement and developing an efficient solution.
  • 20 minutes: Review solutions and explore different approaches.

Sample Plan for 4+ Hours (Intermediate/Advanced)

• First Hour:

  • 45 minutes: Solve 2 Medium problems with a focus on time and space complexity.
  • 15 minutes: Review solutions and optimize code if needed.

• Second Hour:

  • 45 minutes: Solve a Hard problem (spend extra time on advanced concepts like dynamic programming or graph algorithms).
  • 15 minutes: Review and compare your solution to other approaches on LeetCode Discuss.

• Third Hour:

  • 60 minutes: Work on 1-2 more Medium/Hard problems or focus on topics where you feel weak (e.g., backtracking, trees, etc.).

• Fourth Hour:

  • 45 minutes: Practice mock interviews or take part in a LeetCode contest.
  • 15 minutes: Reflect on your performance, take notes on areas to improve, and set goals for the next session.

4. Maximizing Efficiency in Practice

• Set Clear Goals: Set specific goals for each session (e.g., learn dynamic programming, solve two Medium problems).
• Review and Optimize: Always spend time reviewing your solutions and looking for optimizations. This is crucial for tackling harder problems and succeeding in interviews.
• Track Progress: Track your progress to understand which topics you're improving in and which ones require more focus.
• Take Breaks: Avoid burnout by taking short breaks to stay focused and engaged during your practice sessions.

5. Conclusion

The number of hours you should dedicate to LeetCode daily depends on your skill level and goals. Here’s a quick recap:

• Beginners: Aim for 1-2 hours per day, starting with Easy problems.
• Intermediate: Aim for 2-4 hours per day, focusing on Medium problems and optimizing your solutions.
• Advanced: Aim for 4+ hours per day, tackling Hard problems, practicing mock interviews, and participating in contests.

Whether you're preparing for a coding interview or improving your problem-solving abilities, consistent practice with a structured plan will help you get the most out of your time on LeetCode.