Notes
Prepare on a schedule
1 min read
Plan backwards from the interview date
| Time before the loop | Focus |
|---|---|
| 12 to 16 weeks | Patterns and core lists (the 16-week plan on the Practice page), system design fundamentals |
| 4 to 8 weeks | Company lists, timed problems, design case studies, story bank |
| 2 to 4 weeks | Mock interviews twice a week, review queue, behavioral rehearsal |
| Final week | Light review, rest, logistics |
Habits that compound
- Time every problem and stop after a fixed limit; read the walkthrough and add the problem to the review queue.
- Speak while you solve, even alone.
- Do weekly mock interviews with a partner or the Practice page's mock mode, and debrief honestly.
- Track weak patterns and schedule them, rather than solving only what you already enjoy.
The day of the interview
Test your camera, microphone, IDE and network beforehand. Keep water, paper and a pen nearby. Between rounds, reset rather than replaying the last one; each interviewer usually scores independently.