What the course covers
Educative's course page, titled Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns, says it organizes the coding interview around 28 fundamental patterns. It lists 1,125 lessons across 31 modules, 579 quizzes, more than 500 challenges and about 85 hours, with solutions in C#, C++, Go, Java, JavaScript and Python. When we checked, the outline marked the Graphs chapter as TBA, so use the free graph problems in the schedule below for that topic.
| Group | Pattern chapters in the outline |
|---|---|
| Arrays and pointers | Two Pointers; Fast and Slow Pointers; Sliding Window; In-Place Manipulation of a Linked List; Cyclic Sort |
| Ordering and search | Intervals; Modified Binary Search; Sort and Search; Top K Elements; Two Heaps; K-way Merge |
| Recursion and optimization | Subsets; Backtracking; Greedy Techniques; Dynamic Programming |
| Trees and graphs | Tree Depth-First Search; Tree Breadth-First Search; Trie; Topological Sort; Union Find; Graphs |
| Data structures and tracking | Hash Maps; Stacks; Matrices; Knowing What to Track; Custom Data Structures |
| Other | Bitwise Manipulation; Math and Geometry; Challenge Yourself |
When patterns help and when volume matters
Patterns help most when your problem is recognition: you understand a solution once you see it but cannot tell which approach a new problem needs. A course that names the pattern, explains the signals that point to it and then drills it gives you a checklist to run under pressure.
Volume matters more when your problem is execution: you know the approach but are slow, make off-by-one errors or freeze on implementation. Then more timed problems help more than more explanation. Most candidates need both, in that order: learn a pattern, practise it, then mix patterns so you must choose. Our interleaved practice guide covers why the mixing step matters.
What it costs and how to access it
The course page did not show a separate price. On Educative's Compare Plans table, "Grokking" courses appear with no exclusion mark on any plan, so Standard ($59 a month, or $149 a year at a price labelled 50% off on 30 October 2026) should include it; confirm on the course page after signing in. Premium ($99 a month or $199 a year) adds three AI mock interviews a month.
Two cautions: Educative's trial page says interview prep courses are excluded from the free trial, and Educative does not issue subscription refunds. Use the free preview lessons to judge the writing before paying.
A six-week schedule with free practice problems
This plan assumes one Educative Standard month for weeks 1-4 and LeetCode's free Top Interview 150 study plan for practice, about 8 to 10 hours a week. It covers the patterns that appear in both outlines first; extend it if you have more time.
| Week | Educative chapters | Free practice from Top Interview 150 | End-of-week check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Two Pointers; Fast and Slow Pointers; Sliding Window | Two Pointers; Sliding Window; Linked List | Mixed set of 4 problems |
| 2 | Intervals; Hash Maps; Stacks; Modified Binary Search | Intervals; Hashmap; Stack; Binary Search | Mixed set from weeks 1-2 |
| 3 | Tree DFS; Tree BFS; Trie; Top K Elements; Two Heaps | Binary Tree General; Binary Tree BFS; Trie; Heap | Mixed set from weeks 1-3 |
| 4 | Topological Sort; Union Find; Backtracking; Dynamic Programming | Graph General; Graph BFS; Backtracking; 1D DP | Mixed set from all weeks |
| 5 | Subscription can lapse; review your notes | Multidimensional DP plus problems you failed | Two timed sessions |
| 6 | None | Untagged mixed problems under time limits | Mock interview with a friend |
Who should skip it
Educative granted this publication free review access; we have not completed this course. This assessment uses the public course outline and plan pages read on 30 October 2026.
- Interviews within two weeks: there is no time to work through 85 hours; drill free problems in your weakest topics instead.
- Candidates who already name the pattern for most problems quickly: you need speed and volume, not explanation.
- Video learners: the course is text-based with in-browser coding.
- Anyone unwilling to risk a non-refundable month: the free study plan and preview lessons cost nothing.
Questions before you decide
How long is Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns?
Educative's course page lists about 85 hours, 1,125 lessons across 31 modules and 579 quizzes.
Which languages does the course support?
The course page lists C#, C++, Go, Java, JavaScript and Python.
Can I take the course during Educative's free trial?
Educative's trial page said interview prep courses are excluded from the free trial offer. Preview lessons are free.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Educative: Grokking the Coding Interview Patterns course page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: Unlimited plans and Compare Plans table Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: free trial page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Educative: Subscription FAQ Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- LeetCode: Top Interview 150 study plan Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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