Interviews

Technical interviews: a practice system that beats cramming

Grinding 300 puzzle problems the week before doesn't work. A smaller, spaced, realistic practice system does — for any technical field.

By Sofia Marín · 2026-07-07

Technical interviews test recall under pressure, and cramming optimises for neither. Spaced, realistic practice does — in less total time.

The system

• Daily, small, spaced — one problem a day for six weeks beats fifteen on the last weekend.
• Simulate the pressure — a timer and talking out loud; the performance is half the test.
• Review misses aggressively — redo every failed problem three days later; that's where the learning lives.
• Mock with a human — one real mock interview is worth ten solo sessions.