Let's be real—learning Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) can feel overwhelming. I remember scrolling through endless Reddit threads and YouTube reviews, trying to find the right course. That's when I stumbled upon Apna College's DSA Alpha Course.
After completing it, here's my unfiltered, no-BS review—no AI fluff, just real insights from someone who's been through the grind. ๐จ๐ป
Why I Chose Apna College's DSA Course
Like most CS students, I needed a structured way to learn DSA. Free resources were great, but I kept jumping between topics without a clear roadmap. Apna College's course kept popping up in recommendations, especially from friends who swore by Shradha Khapra's teaching style.
I decided to give it a shot. Here's what I found.
Course Breakdown: What's Inside? ๐
1. The Basics – No Prior Knowledge Needed
The course starts from scratch, covering:
- Programming fundamentals (loops, functions, recursion)
- Time complexity (Big-O notation explained simply)
I appreciated how Shradha used real-life analogies—like comparing arrays to a train with fixed compartments—to make concepts stick.
2. Core Data Structures – Where Things Get Interesting
This is where the course shines. Each data structure is taught with:
- Theory + visualization (how linked lists actually work in memory)
- Hands-on coding problems (from easy to interview-level)
The tree and graph modules were game-changers for me. Finally, DFS and BFS made sense!
3. Algorithms – The Real Interview Prep
Sorting, searching, DP—you name it. The dynamic programming section was tough, but the step-by-step breakdown helped.
๐ก Pro tip: Don't skip the assignments! They're golden for reinforcing concepts.
4. Interview Prep – The Final Boss Fight
- Top LeetCode/GeeksforGeeks questions (filtered by frequency)
- Mock interviews (simulates real pressure)
- Resume tips (what recruiters actually look for)
Apna College DSA Alpha Course: Detailed Syllabus Breakdown (2024)
Here's my in-depth look at what the course actually covers, based on my personal experience going through the entire program:
๐ Foundation Module (Weeks 1-2)
Programming Basics
- Variables, data types, operators
- Conditionals (if-else, switch)
- Loops (for, while, do-while)
- Functions and recursion basics
- Time & Space Complexity (Big-O notation)
๐ Core Data Structures (Weeks 3-10)
1. Arrays & Strings
- 1D/2D arrays
- String manipulation
- Important patterns (Sliding Window, Two Pointers)
- Problems: Kadane's Algorithm, Dutch Flag, etc.
2. Linked Lists
- Singly/Doubly Linked Lists
- Circular Linked Lists
- Problems: Cycle detection, Reversing, Merge Two Lists
3. Stacks & Queues
- Implementation (array vs linked list)
- Monotonic stacks
- Queue variations (Priority, Deque)
- Problems: Next Greater Element, LRU Cache
4. Trees
- Binary Trees, BSTs
- Traversals (Inorder, Preorder, Postorder)
- AVL Trees basics
- Problems: LCA, Tree Diameter
5. Graphs
- Representation (Adjacency Matrix/List)
- BFS/DFS
- Dijkstra's, Prim's, Kruskal's
- Problems: Topological Sort, Cycle Detection
6. Hash Tables & Heaps
- HashMap implementation
- Heap operations
- Problems: Top K Elements, Frequency counting
๐ Algorithms (Weeks 11-16)
1. Sorting & Searching
- QuickSort, MergeSort
- Binary Search variations
- Problems: Find Peak, Rotated Sorted Array
2. Recursion & Backtracking
- Recursive thinking patterns
- Subsets, Permutations
- Problems: N-Queens, Sudoku Solver
3. Dynamic Programming
- Memoization vs Tabulation
- 0/1 Knapsack, Unbounded Knapsack
- Problems: LCS, Coin Change, DP on Trees
4. Greedy Algorithms
- Activity Selection
- Fractional Knapsack
- Problems: Job Sequencing
๐ Interview Prep (Weeks 17-20)
1. Problem Solving Patterns
- Frequency counting
- Fast & Slow pointers
- Merge intervals
2. Company-Specific Prep
- Top 50 LeetCode questions (FAANG focused)
- Mock interviews
- Resume building workshop
3. System Design Basics
- OOP principles
- Database basics
- Scalability concepts
๐ก Key Observations About the Syllabus:
- Progressive Difficulty: Starts very basic but ramps up quickly around Week 5
- Practical Focus: Every concept has 5-10 coding problems
- Gaps: Advanced topics like Segment Trees aren't covered
- Bonus: Includes real interview questions from companies like Amazon, Google
๐ Weekly Time Commitment
- Lectures: 6-8 hours/week
- Assignments: 4-5 hours/week
- Extra Practice: Recommended 10+ hours/week for best results
Comparison with Other DSA Courses
| Topic | Apna College | Coding Ninjas | Scaler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic DSA | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Great | ✅ Great |
| Advanced Algos | ⚠️ Basic | ✅ Extensive | ✅ Extensive |
| CP Preparation | ❌ None | ✅ Good | ✅ Excellent |
| Interview Focus | ✅ Strong | ✅ Strong | ✅ Very Strong |
| Price (INR) | 3,000-5,000 | 15,000+ | 25,000+ |
Note: This is based on the 2024 batch syllabus - they update content periodically.
What I Loved (And What Could Be Better) ๐๐
The Good Stuff ✨
- Shradha's teaching style – She doesn't just throw code at you. She explains why things work the way they do.
- Community support – The Discord group saved me multiple times when I was stuck.
- Affordable – Way cheaper than Coding Ninjas or Scaler.
The Not-So-Good ⚠️
- Pacing issues – Some sections felt rushed (looking at you, DP!).
- No competitive programming – If you're into Codeforces, this isn't your course.
- Occasional tech glitches – Live sessions sometimes lagged.
Who Should (And Shouldn't) Take This Course? ๐ค
Perfect for: ✅
- College students prepping for placements
- Beginners who need structure
- Career switchers targeting tech roles
Skip if: ❌
- You're already comfortable with DSA (just grind LeetCode)
- You want advanced competitive programming
How It Stacks Up Against Alternatives ⚖️
| Feature | Apna College | Competitor A | Competitor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live Classes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Recorded Lectures | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Doubt Support | 24/7 | Limited | Email Only |
Final Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time and Money? ๐ฐ⏳
If you're starting from zero? Absolutely. The course gives you a clear path from basics to interview-ready.
Already know DSA? Save your money—jump straight into problem-solving.
For me, it was worth every rupee. I went from struggling with two-pointer problems to cracking my first FAANG interview.
Got Questions? Ask Away! ๐ฌ
Still on the fence? Drop your questions below—I'll reply with my honest take.
And hey, if you've taken the course, share your experience too! Let's keep it real. ๐