Mastering the Coding Interview: A 90-Day Roadmap to Conquer Data Structures and Algorithms for FANG Companies

Plan A

Preparing for interviews at top tech companies like Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (FANG) requires a well-structured and comprehensive plan. Here’s a 90-day preparation agenda focusing on Data Structures and Algorithms:

Days 1-30: Foundations and Basics

1. Weeks 1-2: Review Basics

• Brush up on fundamental programming concepts and language-specific syntax.
• Revise core data structures like arrays, linked lists, and stacks.

1. Weeks 3-4: Algorithms I

• Focus on sorting algorithms (e.g., quicksort, mergesort).
• Dive into searching algorithms (e.g., binary search).

1. Weeks 5-6: Trees and Graphs

• Study binary trees, binary search trees (BST), and balanced trees.
• Understand graph representations and basic graph algorithms (e.g., BFS, DFS).

1. Weeks 7-8: Dynamic Programming

• Learn dynamic programming concepts.
• Practice solving classic DP problems (e.g., Fibonacci, Longest Common Subsequence).

1. Weeks 9-10: Hashing

• Understand hash functions and hash tables.
• Solve problems related to hashing and collision resolution.

Days 31-60: Intermediate Topics and Advanced Data Structures

6. Weeks 11-12: Advanced Trees and Graphs

• Study AVL trees, Red-Black trees, and advanced graph algorithms.
• Practice problems involving advanced trees and graphs.

6. Weeks 13-16: Advanced Sorting and Searching

• Dive into heap sort, radix sort, and interpolation search.
• Solve problems involving advanced searching and sorting techniques.

6. Weeks 17-20: Trie and Segment Trees

• Understand trie data structures.
• Learn and implement segment trees and Fenwick trees (Binary Indexed Trees).

6. Weeks 21-24: Advanced Dynamic Programming

• Tackle more complex DP problems.
• Learn optimizations and strategies for DP.

Days 61-90: Mock Interviews and Advanced Problem Solving

10. Weeks 25-30: Mock Interviews
    • Start participating in mock interviews on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Pramp.
    • Focus on improving problem-solving skills under time constraints.
11. Weeks 31-36: System Design Concepts
    • Familiarize yourself with system design principles.
    • Practice designing scalable and efficient systems.
12. Weeks 37-42: Behavioral Interviews and Soft Skills
    • Prepare for behavioral questions and situational interviews.
    • Work on effective communication and problem-solving articulation.
13. Weeks 43-48: Final Review and Revision
    • Revisit challenging topics.
    • Refine problem-solving techniques and strategies.
14. Weeks 49-52: Continuous Improvement
    • Stay updated on the latest industry trends.
    • Continuously practice with new problems and challenges.

Additional Tips:

• Consistency is Key: Practice regularly, even if it’s for a shorter duration each day.
• Learn Time Management: Master the art of time management during interviews.
• Analyze Mistakes: Learn from mistakes in practice sessions and interviews.
• Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset, and don’t get discouraged by difficult problems.

Remember, the key to success in technical interviews is a combination of strong conceptual understanding, consistent practice, and effective problem-solving strategies. Good luck!

Plan B

Preparing for interviews at top tech companies like FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix, Google) requires a focused and comprehensive approach. Here’s a 90-day preparation agenda for Data Structures and Algorithms:

Days 1-15: Foundations

1. Day 1-5: Review basic programming concepts in your preferred language (e.g., Python, Java, C++).
2. Day 6-10: Brush up on time and space complexity analysis.
3. Day 11-15: Learn the basics of data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues).

Days 16-30: Advanced Data Structures

4. Day 16-20: Dive into trees and graphs (binary trees, binary search trees, depth-first search, breadth-first search).
5. Day 21-25: Study advanced trees (AVL trees, Red-Black trees) and graph algorithms (Dijkstra’s, Bellman-Ford, Floyd-Warshall).
6. Day 26-30: Understand advanced data structures like Trie, Heap, Disjoint Set, and Segment Tree.

Days 31-45: Sorting and Searching

7. Day 31-35: Master sorting algorithms (quick sort, merge sort, heap sort).
8. Day 36-40: Focus on searching algorithms (binary search, interpolation search).
9. Day 41-45: Solve problems related to sorting and searching on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank.

Days 46-60: Dynamic Programming

10. Day 46-50: Understand the concept of dynamic programming.
11. Day 51-55: Solve DP problems focusing on classic examples (fibonacci sequence, longest common subsequence).
12. Day 56-60: Tackle more complex DP problems, including optimization problems.

Days 61-75: System Design and Object-Oriented Design

13. Day 61-65: Learn the basics of system design and object-oriented design principles.
14. Day 66-70: Practice designing scalable systems and solving design problems.
15. Day 71-75: Implement design patterns and solve related problems.

Days 76-85: Mock Interviews and Review

16. Day 76-80: Schedule and participate in mock interviews on platforms like Pramp, interviewing.io, or with a study buddy.
17. Day 81-85: Review your mock interviews, identify weaknesses, and focus on improving those areas.

Days 86-90: Final Preparation

18. Day 86-87: Revisit any weak areas and reinforce your knowledge.
19. Day 88-89: Take a few more mock interviews to build confidence.
20. Day 90: Relax and rest before the big day.

General Tips:

• Stay Consistent: Dedicate a few hours every day consistently.
• Practice Coding Daily: Code regularly to build problem-solving skills.
• Use Online Platforms: Leverage platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and GeeksforGeeks for practice.
• Read Company-Specific Resources: Understand the interview process and common questions at each FANG company.
• Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest trends in technology and industry news.

Remember, the key to success is not just solving problems but understanding the underlying concepts. Good luck!