[WalterBright]

I don't see the problem. If one studies leetcode for months, and passes the test, that's a pretty good sign he learned a lot about programming from it. How could he not learn by doing all this studying?

It's like saying someone cheated on a Calculus exam by studying Calculus.

> not cut out to be a high level programmer

I think that was misunderstood. I'll try again. If one studies for months and yet fails to learn the material, perhaps one is not suited to that field of endeavor. There are certain things others excel at that I would just fruitlessly beat my head into a wall trying. For example, anything involving hand-eye coordination or a musical instrument.

And so what? Sometimes people ask me what kind of career they should pursue, and I don't say "STEM". I advise draw a circle around things you're good at, and another circle around things that pay, and your career is in the intersection.