Written by Lucille Tasker, Director of Data & Technology at Rewriting the Code

Updated June 2026

Every year, coding interviews are the biggest challenge and source of stress for students interviewing for internships and new grad jobs. According to Rewriting the Code’s annual recruiting experience surveys, members feel more apprehensive about the technical interview than any other part of the recruiting cycle. Members also share that they wish they had spent more time preparing.

Top Five Interview Prep Resources

  • If you’re starting from scratch, look at this breakdown of top mistakes and how to approach problems, tests, and optimization. The author does a great job of outlining everything you can expect from the process.
  • If you want pattern-based prep, sometimes the most challenging part of a coding interview question is figuring out exactly what they are asking you. It’s like learning to complete a math “word problem” in high school! Grokking the Coding Interview by Educative breaks down interview prep into “patterns” that help you recognize how to solve a problem during an interview. While the course isn’t free, there is a free breakdown of the Leetcode questions you can follow to get a feel for how pattern recognition can help you triage interview questions quickly.
  • If you need structure, Grind75 is a self-paced program that curates LeetCode questions tailored to your needs. This is very helpful if you need help structuring your LeetCode studying. They also have a very comprehensive Tech Interview Handbook.
  • If you want the classic: Cracking the Coding Interview has been helping computer science students for YEARS. It’s the most-referenced coding interview book in computer science: a thorough, trusted resource for studying, and worth it if you prefer a physical reference.
  • If you want practice problems: LeetCode and HackerRank are the most popular options. Both are paid platforms, but LeetCode has perks for students you can check out.

How to Practice With Other People

The key is to start early and study diligently; accountability buddies are a great way to stay committed! We recommend connecting with other RTC members to work through problems this summer. You can use the #interview-prep channel in the RTC Slack Workspace to connect with others who want to practice. If you are a current college woman studying tech and not yet a member of RTC, join today to connect with our awesome community!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to prepare for a coding interview? Most people need four to eight weeks of consistent practice. The biggest mistake is starting the week before. RTC members consistently report wishing they’d started earlier, so building a study habit in the months before recruiting season opens is the move.

Should I use LeetCode or HackerRank to prep? Both work for reps. LeetCode is more widely used for FAANG-style interviews and has student discounts. If you need structure on top of the problems, pair either one with Grind75, which sequences the questions for you.

What is the best book for coding interview prep? Cracking the Coding Interview is the most used and most recommended. It’s been the standard for computer science students for years. If you want a pattern-based approach alongside it, Grokking the Coding Interview is a strong complement.

Is Grokking the Coding Interview worth it? Yes, especially if you struggle with knowing where to start on a problem. It teaches you to recognize problem types, which is what interviews actually test.

Keep Going

Practicing your coding skills and interview techniques early and consistently is key to success in the recruiting process. With these interview prep resources, you can improve your problem-solving skills, gain confidence, and feel better prepared for your next tech interview. And remember to take advantage of the power of community by connecting with other RTC members to study together and hold each other accountable. By investing time and effort in interview preparation, you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream internship or job in the tech industry.

So what are you waiting for? Start practicing!