I’ve been in the SEO and tech space for years, and I’ve seen a million and one “Learn Data Science in 90 Days!” platforms pop up. They promise the moon, show you a few generic Python libraries, and charge you a small fortune for the privilege. Most of them are, frankly, noise. They teach you just enough to be dangerous, but not enough to ace the interviews that actually matter.
So when I stumbled upon Daetama, my initial reaction was, naturally, a healthy dose of skepticism. “Data Science Prep You’ve Dreamed Of,” the headline claims. A bold claim. But then I started digging, and what I found was... different. Refreshing, even. This isn't your typical education-tech cash grab. It feels more like a cheat sheet created by people who’ve already won the game.
So, What Exactly is Daetama Anyway?
At its core, Daetama is a data science learning and interview preparation platform. But that’s a boring description. What makes it interesting is who built it. We’re talking about a crew of ex-FAANG machine learning data scientists and engineers—the folks who have actually sat on the other side of the interview table at places like Meta and Google.
They’re not teaching you abstract theory. They’re focused laser-sharp on one thing: giving you the practical, real-world skills you need to nail data science interviews, especially the notoriously tricky SQL and product-sense rounds. It's less of a sprawling university library and more of a special forces training camp for your tech career.
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The FAANG Pedigree: Why It Actually Matters
Okay, so “ex-FAANG” gets thrown around a lot. But in this context, I think it’s the platform’s biggest strength. Anyone who's tried to get a job at a top tech company knows the interview process is a unique beast. The questions aren't just about whether you know the syntax for a `JOIN` clause. They’re about how you think, how you approach a problem, and whether you have the 'product sense' to see the business implications behind the data.
The testimonials on their site kind of speak for themselves. You see folks from Google, Meta, and Spotify talking about how “spot on” and “realistic” the questions were. We’re seeing salaries listed like $275k, $325k... this isn’t prep for a junior analyst role at a local firm. This is training for the big leagues.
"I used Daetama everyday leading up to my tech round. The questions were spot on." - Ivan K., Sr. Data Scientist, Google
That kind of feedback only comes when the content is crafted from genuine, lived experience. You can't fake that. You either know what a real Meta systems design question feels like, or you don't. These guys clearly do.
A Look Under the Hood at Daetama's Features
Daetama's approach is refreshingly minimalist right now, focusing on doing a few things exceptionally well rather than being a bloated jack-of-all-trades.
Killer SQL Practice from Real-World Scenarios
The main event is their bank of 100+ SQL questions. And let me tell you, this is the good stuff. Forget about messing around with random CSV files and SQLite on your own machine. Daetama provides an interactive environment where you can tackle problems that mirror what you’d actually be asked to solve. Think questions like “What is the CTR for each ad?” or “Find the top message sender and receiver.” These are problems with business context, the kind that separates a code monkey from a true data scientist.
What's on the Horizon?
Now for a dose of reality. The platform is still growing. You’ll see a couple of key features listed as “(Coming Soon),” namely a full suite of Data Science Courses and an integrated Job Board. On one hand, you could see this as a negative. The platform isn't 'complete' yet. But I see it differently. It shows they’re focused on perfecting the core experience—the SQL prep—before expanding. Plus, their promise of weekly product releases based on user feedback is a great sign. They're building this thing in public, and they're listening.
The All-Important Question: How Much Does Daetama Cost?
This is where Daetama really shines, and frankly, puts a lot of other platforms to shame. The pricing is so simple it almost feels suspicious in today’s world of complex tiers and hidden fees.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | $20 / month | Cancel Anytime. That simple. |
| Education Pricing | Varies | Special pricing available for students. |
Twenty bucks a month. That’s it. For access to interview prep created by ex-Google and Meta engineers. It’s an insane value proposition when you consider coding bootcamps can run into the tens of thousands. This pricing makes it accessible to almost anyone, from a student to a professional looking to make a leap. You can even get started for free to try out some of the problems before committing.
My Honest Take: The Good and The Not-So-Good
No tool is perfect, so let’s break it down. No marketing fluff, just my take.
What I Really Like
The authenticity is off the charts. The focus on real-world, FAANG-level SQL and product questions is a game-changer. I also love the no-nonsense pricing. $20 is a low-risk investment for a potentially massive career payoff. The clean interface and the clear focus on practical application over abstract theory is a huge plus. They know their audience: ambitious people who just want to get the job done.
Room for Growth
The obvious elephant in the room is the “coming soon” content. If you need a comprehensive, fully-built-out course on statistics or A/B testing today, this isn't it. Not yet. The platform's current strength is its depth in SQL interview prep, not its breadth across all of data science. The lack of a job board right now also means it's a pure prep tool, not an end-to-end career service. But again, for the price, it's hard to complain too much.
Who Is Daetama For? And Who Should Maybe Skip It?
In my opinion, Daetama is a perfect fit for a specific type of person. If you're a junior or mid-level data professional actively applying for jobs at top tech companies, this is a no-brainer. If you're a Computer Science student wanting to get a leg up on the competition for internships, sign up yesterday. It’s for anyone who has the foundational knowledge but needs to sharpen their skills specifically for the demanding tech interview process.
Who should pass for now? If you're an absolute beginner who has never written a line of code or SQL, you might need a more foundational, hand-holding course first. Daetama seems geared towards refining existing skills rather than building them from absolute zero. Once their full courses launch, this might change, but that's the state of play right now.
Final Thoughts: A Low-Risk, High-Reward Bet
I started out skeptical, but Daetama won me over. It’s a lean, mean, interview-prepping machine built by the right people, with the right focus, at a price that’s almost too good to be true. It cuts through the noise and delivers exactly what it promises: a direct line to practicing the kind of problems that can land you a six-figure job.
While I’m excited to see the new features as they roll out, what’s already there is potent. For the cost of a few coffees a month, you're getting access to a level of insider knowledge that used to be incredibly hard to come by. If you’re serious about a data career in big tech, I’d say giving Daetama a shot is one of the smartest, lowest-risk bets you can make on yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daetama
- Is Daetama legit?
- Absolutely. It was founded and built by former data scientists and machine learning engineers from top companies like Meta (Facebook) and Google. The testimonials and the quality of the questions confirm its legitimacy as a serious interview prep tool.
- What kind of jobs can Daetama help me prepare for?
- It's primarily designed for roles like Data Scientist, Product Analyst, Data Engineer, and Machine Learning Engineer, especially at competitive tech companies where SQL and product-sense interviews are a major hurdle.
- Is Daetama good for complete beginners?
- Currently, it's best for those who have some foundational knowledge of SQL and data concepts. It's more of a skill-sharpener and interview-practice tool than a from-scratch teaching platform. This may change when their full data science courses are released.
- How is Daetama different from LeetCode or HackerRank?
- While LeetCode and HackerRank are fantastic for general coding and algorithms, Daetama specializes in the niche of data science interviews. Its questions are more focused on data manipulation, business logic, and product sense, which are often more relevant for data roles than pure algorithmic challenges.
- Can I really cancel my subscription at any time?
- Yes, their model is a straightforward $20/month with no long-term commitment. You can cancel whenever you want, making it a flexible option for short-term, intense interview prep.
- Is there a free version or trial?
- Yes, Daetama allows you to sign up for free and try a selection of their problems. This lets you get a feel for the platform's style and quality before deciding to subscribe to the premium version for full access.
