Prepare for your Microsoft coding interview

Algorithms and data structure rounds calibrated to Microsoft's focus on system-level thinking, optimization, and enterprise-scale problem solving.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Microsoft is looking for

Fundamentals Interview

Algorithm & Data Structure Fundamentals

01Pattern Recognition

02Data Structure Selection

03Algorithm Correctness

04Code Clarity

Intermediate Interview

Intermediate Problem Solving

01Optimization Thinking

02Space-Time Trade-offs

03Advanced Patterns

04System Awareness

Advanced Interview

Advanced Systems Thinking

01Distributed Algorithm Design

02Scalability Considerations

03Edge Case Management

04Production Readiness

Microsoft values clean, maintainable code over clever tricks//System-level thinking embedded in all coding rounds//Focus on explaining your approach clearly

Practice Library

Microsoft exercises

Ready to ace your Microsoft coding interview?

Prepare for your Microsoft coding interview

Algorithms and data structure rounds calibrated to Microsoft's focus on system-level thinking, optimization, and enterprise-scale problem solving.

Socratify AI

The Interview

What Microsoft is looking for

Fundamentals Interview

Algorithm & Data Structure Fundamentals

01Pattern Recognition

02Data Structure Selection

03Algorithm Correctness

04Code Clarity

Intermediate Interview

Intermediate Problem Solving

01Optimization Thinking

02Space-Time Trade-offs

03Advanced Patterns

04System Awareness

Advanced Interview

Advanced Systems Thinking

01Distributed Algorithm Design

02Scalability Considerations

03Edge Case Management

04Production Readiness

Microsoft values clean, maintainable code over clever tricks//System-level thinking embedded in all coding rounds//Focus on explaining your approach clearly

How It Works

Master Microsoft Coding Interviews

Algorithms and data structures scored on correctness, clarity, and system-level awareness. · Click to expand

1Your Coding Goals

Algorithm Design

Practitioner

Data Structure Mastery

Practitioner

2Coding Case Prep

Implement a function to check if a string is a valid bracket sequence. Handle nested and...

LEARNMedium

Microsoft

3Frameworks

Framework

Is time complexity the bottleneck?

Are you sorting more times than necessary?

Current: O(n log n) sort on all 50M events

With heap: O(n log k) where k=top 100 events, 2.1s vs 12s

Are lookups in the query linear scan?

Linear scan of 50M events per request: 400ms per query

Hash table index: 2ms lookup, trade 8GB memory vs 400ms latency

Is space complexity acceptable?

Is caching missing intermediate results?

Recalculate top 100 for every region: 8 regions × 50M events

Materialized view with 10-minute TTL: 800 cached results, 95% hit rate

Are data structures bloated?

Full event object in memory: 2KB per event × 50M = 100GB footprint

Store only ID + timestamp: 48 bytes per event = 2.4GB, sorted index

Are there correctness gaps for edge cases?

Does the algorithm handle deleted events?

Naive: delete event from timeline, breaks iteration on live reads (race)

Soft delete with version vector: O(1) mark, consistency preserved

Are concurrent writes handled?

Two threads insert same event ID: duplicate in result

4Feedback

Algorithm Correctness

Distinctive

Complexity Analysis

Strong

Code Clarity

Meeting Bar

Optimization Mindset

Strong

Repeat

Practice Library

Microsoft exercises

Implement a function to check if a string is a valid bracket sequence. Handle nested and...

LEARNMedium

Technology · Stack/StringMicrosoft

Given an array of meeting intervals, merge overlapping intervals. Return the minimal set...

CASE INTERVIEWMedium

Technology · Sorting/ArraysMicrosoft

Design an LRU cache with get and put operations running in O(1) time. Consider...

CASE INTERVIEWHard

Technology · Hash Map/Linked ListMicrosoft

Describe your approach to ensuring your code is production-ready.

BEHAVIORALMedium

Behavioral · Code QualityMicrosoft

Tell me about a time you improved code clarity or maintainability.

BEHAVIORALMedium

Behavioral · Technical ExcellenceMicrosoft