Before taking algos/data structures I did terrible on whiteboards. After, I do well. From this experience, they seem reasonable indicators of a cs grads intelligence. I doubt I am too much better of a software engineer in my day to day job, but I do think this toolkit does unlock a second disperate level of engineering ability, to code core algos for novel software.

I just have a problem suggesting learning this one set of skills really boosts my fluid intelligence. Im probably just as intelligent as I was before.

But I do get the cooralating signal as a cheap, low false positive approach to selecting good candidates.