Maybe it will make you feel better to know that this is not exclusive to it. For example, in Finance, there is something called the CFA (Chartered Financial Ana

Maybe it will make you feel better to know that this is not exclusive to it. For example, in Finance, there is something called the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) certification, that let's you break into financial analysis at about a 5th of FAANG salaries. You can take it...wait for it - once a year. There are 3 parts. Admittedly, you can take the first part twice a year. Anyway, average prep time is worse than for, say, GCP Architect - so basically they ask you to budget 6 months and 300 hours. That is a LOW starting amount. And you know what passing it usually gets you? Nothing. Then there are the actuarial exams which are worse. There is the Professional Engineer cert in engineering. CPA for accountants. 12 years of med school for doctors. Etc. IT does NOT have it that bad at all. Keep that in mind. P.S. I do think studying for FAANG interviews pretty much ensures you learn your school curriculum if you haven't already.