Subgroup selection for verification

A non-volatile memory storage system comprising:

• an array of memory cells organized into multiple subgroups;
• a programming circuit configured to apply one or more programming pulses to the array of memory cells to program the memory cells to a target data state;
• a counting circuit configured to count a first number of cells of a first subgroup that satisfy a threshold and count a second number of cells of a second subgroup that satisfy the threshold;
• and
• an identification circuit configured to identify the first subgroup as a fastest memory cell subgroup and the second subgroup as a slowest memory cell subgroup in response to the first number of cells being greater than the second number of cells.

A memory apparatus configured to:

• apply one or more programming pulses to subgroups of memory cells in a programming operation;
• count a total number of the memory cells that satisfy a programming threshold;
• determine whether the total number is greater than a numeric threshold;
• determine a number of memory cells within each subgroup that satisfy the programming threshold in response to determining that the total number is greater than the numeric threshold;
• identify at least one of a fastest programming subgroup and a slowest programming subgroup based on the determined number of memory cells within each subgroup;
• and
• utilize the identified subgroup for subsequent verification steps of the programming operation.