A method for programming memory blocks in a memory system includes identifying, using at least one memory block characteristic, candidate memory blocks of the memory blocks in the memory system. The method also includes performing a pre-erase operation, using a pre-erase verify level, on the candidate memory blocks. The method also includes storing, on a pre-erase table, pre-erase information for each memory block of the candidate memory blocks. The method also includes identifying, using the pre-erase table, at least one memory block to be programmed. The method also includes programming the at least one memory block by performing a preprogram erase operation on the at least one memory block using the pre-erase verify level, and performing a write operation on the at least one memory block.