I've worked with many data scientists. I've worked with talented scientists (including a nobel laureate), talented engineers, medical doctors of various experti

I've worked with many data scientists. I've worked with talented scientists (including a nobel laureate), talented engineers, medical doctors of various expertise, many well groomed/credentialed people (Harvard, Yale, MIT, Caltech, ...) and I've seen all sorts of types of intelligence throughout my life that extend well beyond academic intelligence. What I can tell you from my perspective is that these interviews and projected expectations employers have are simply unrealistic and potentially unethical practices. They are often vastly separated from the reality of the skills of very real and talented people who already fill these sorts of positions. I've personally been under the suspicion that these highly technical interview circuses are multipronged efforts to drive down rates of skilled professions. The idea is for some, to not only find the 'best of the best candidates' in terms of efficiency, but there is a psychological component that creates a new pressure for many akin to imposter syndrome. It makes candidates question their professional value and worth creating a sense of imposter syndrome. "You barely passed our interview, what makes you feel you can negotiate a higher salary?" "This is the standard and you can barely pass it, why should we hire you?" And so on. It creates a psychologically leveraged position for candidates, especially those who have critical analysis skills who see and think about these things. Again, it's a multipronged effort and the pyscholical component is just one piece but it's a win for those hiring and largely a loss for those seeking employment. I personally believe it's utterly toxic behavior in the hiring industry and I wouldn't allow yourself to be manipulated by it. Is it possible you don't have what it takes? Perhaps, but who cares? Don't let someone looking at you purely as a tool trying to find the best deal on the market of other tools dissuade you. Ignore them and give it your best. If you can't jump through the hoops and need income, try closely related career paths or other jobs, look for a niche or edge you have. At some point people will grow tired of this hiring charade, at least I hope, and workers will start rejecting it. Most of these tactics prey on the naive yet fairly technically skilled recent college graduate.