Referral from a former coworker got me the interview but I still had to do all the actual work to pass it

Former coworker referred me and the recruiter call got scheduled within two days instead of the usual multi-week silence. Then it was still four technical rounds and a system design round like anyone else, referral didn't skip a single step, just got me a faster no-response-avoiding path in. Grateful for it but wanted to note for anyone assuming a referral means an easier bar, it really doesn't.