When it comes to coding, we all want to improve fast, don’t we? But here’s the real secret: if you want to level up quickly and win in LeetCode weekly contests, you need a smart strategy, not just endless practice.
Let me walk you through my personal LeetCode contest strategy, a roadmap I’ve been following that has helped me move from struggling with basic problems to securing a spot on the leaderboard.
I’m no genius (far from it!), but by tweaking how I approach these contests, I’ve learned how to improve dramatically—and, more importantly, how to have fun with it.
Table of Contents
1. Why Participate in LeetCode Weekly Contests?
The obvious reason is to improve your coding skills. But let’s be real: LeetCode weekly contests do much more than that.
They sharpen your problem-solving abilities, help you stay calm under pressure, and expose you to a wide range of algorithms.
When I first started, I thought I was a decent coder—until I hit a contest wall.
😅 That’s when I realized that regular coding is very different from solving problems in a race against time.
LeetCode contests are a perfect training ground if you’re preparing for coding interviews at top tech companies like Google, Amazon, or Meta.
2. My Journey: From Beginner to Contest Regular
Let me be honest—I bombed my first few contests. I mean, I couldn’t even solve the easiest problem sometimes.
It was frustrating, but also kind of exciting. The adrenaline rush from the ticking timer, the race to solve just one more problem before time runs out… I was hooked.
Eventually, I realized I needed more than just brute force practice.
I had to change my mindset and adopt a structured LeetCode contest strategy.
This wasn’t about being the fastest from the start. It was about consistency, understanding, and learning from mistakes.
3. The Ultimate LeetCode Contest Strategy 🏆
3.1 Before the Contest: Building a Strong Foundation 📚
Let’s get this straight: You can’t just jump into LeetCode weekly contests without any prep and expect to win.
It’s like trying to run a marathon without training first. Here’s what worked for me:
- Master the Basics: Start with easy and medium problems before you even think about participating in a contest. Make sure you’re comfortable with essential algorithms like DFS, BFS, dynamic programming, and binary search.
- Simulate Contest Conditions: Don’t just solve problems leisurely. Time yourself. Set up a two-hour window (just like in the real contest) and solve problems under pressure. Trust me, it makes a difference.
- Pick Your Battles: Focus on specific topics that are frequently tested in contests, such as arrays, strings, and graphs. If you’re weak in a particular area, spend time sharpening it before contest day.
Pro tip: Use tools like LeetCode Premium to access detailed solutions and contest archives.
You’ll find valuable insights into the types of problems that are asked.
3.2 During the Contest: Real-Time Strategy 🕒
This is where the real fun begins. How you handle the actual two-hour window can make or break your performance.
Here’s how I approach it:
- Start Simple: Always go for the easiest problem first. Solving that first problem boosts your confidence and gets you in the flow.
- Read Carefully: Rushing into code without fully understanding the problem is a recipe for disaster. I’ve learned this the hard way—don’t skip over details. Read the question, understand the constraints, and then start coding.
- Prioritize: If you’re stuck on a problem, move on! There’s no point in banging your head against the wall when there are other problems you could be solving. You can always come back to the tough one later.
- Stay Calm: The clock is ticking, yes. But panic? Not helpful. Trust your prep. If you feel overwhelmed, take a deep breath, clear your mind, and get back at it. One problem at a time.
Pro tip: Keep an eye on LeetCode’s discussion forum. People often share their contest experiences and strategies right after the contest ends.
Learn from their wins and mistakes.
3.3 After the Contest: Reviewing and Learning 📈
The contest may be over, but your learning isn’t. This is the most important part of your LeetCode contest strategy:
- Review Solutions: Go through the problems you solved and the ones you didn’t. Check the solutions from top competitors—there’s always something new to learn from their code. (Spoiler alert: they often have elegant, simple solutions that will make you go, “Why didn’t I think of that?”).
- Learn New Techniques: If you encounter a problem that requires an algorithm you’ve never seen before, take the time to learn it. Add it to your toolkit.
- Stay Consistent: Participate in every weekly contest you can. The more you do it, the better you get. It’s that simple. 🏅
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️
I’ve been there, made all the mistakes. Here are a few that could cost you during the contest:
- Overthinking: Don’t make the problem harder than it is. If it feels too simple, you’re probably on the right track.
- Skipping Basic Prep: Without a solid grasp of basic algorithms, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
- Ignoring Edge Cases: Always, always think about edge cases when writing your code. They’re what separate a decent solution from a winning one.
- Not Testing Enough: You don’t want to find out you’ve misunderstood the problem when you hit the “Submit” button. Test your code thoroughly, especially for edge cases.
5. Tools and Resources to Master the LeetCode Weekly Contest 🛠️
Here’s a list of tools that I’ve found useful in improving my LeetCode contest strategy:
- LeetCode Premium: Access to premium solutions, detailed problem discussions, and real contest archives.
- NeetCode.io: Great platform for categorized LeetCode problems, especially for contest prep.
- YouTube: Channels like “Clément Mihailescu” and “Tushar Roy” offer in-depth problem walkthroughs.
- CP Algorithms: If you need to brush up on any algorithm, this is the site to visit. It’s detailed and beginner-friendly.
6. Conclusion: Keep Improving with Every Contest 🏁
Participating in LeetCode weekly contests is a journey.
The goal isn’t just to win but to keep improving with each contest. Use the wins to boost your confidence and the losses to learn and grow.
With the right LeetCode contest strategy, you’ll see progress sooner than you think.
Keep practicing, stay consistent, and never lose sight of the ultimate goal: becoming a better coder.
Good luck, and see you on the leaderboard! ✌️
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