Microsoft coding interview prep
Fundamentals done well — trees, linked lists, and clear code.
What the loop actually looks like
Microsoft loops tend to favour classic data-structure fundamentals over competitive-programming trickery. Expect trees, linked lists, strings, and a strong emphasis on writing code you'd be willing to ship, including how you'd test it.
What they reward
- Core data structures: trees, linked lists, strings
- Code quality and testability, not just correctness
- Talking about edge cases and how you'd verify the solution
- Practical design sense even in coding rounds
Patterns to drill first
Problems worth your time
In priority order. Open one to read the approach, or generate an interactive lesson and watch it run.
Reverse Linked ListRe-point each node's next to the node behind it as you walk.
Easy
Merge Two Sorted ListsWeave the two lists together, always taking the smaller head.Easy
Linked List CycleA fast pointer laps a slow one if and only if there's a loop.Easy
Invert Binary TreeSwap children at every node.Easy
Maximum Depth of Binary TreeA node's depth is one more than its deeper subtree.Easy
Valid ParenthesesA stack matches each closer to the most recent opener.Easy
Climbing StairsWays to reach step n = ways to reach n−1 plus n−2.Easy
Group AnagramsGive every anagram the same canonical key.Medium
Tips specific to this loop
- — Pointer manipulation on linked lists comes up a lot — practise reversal until it's muscle memory.
- — Mention how you'd unit-test the function. It lands well here in a way it doesn't everywhere.
- — Don't skip the easy classics; a shaky `invert-binary-tree` is a bad signal.
Drill these with interactive lessons
Generate a step-by-step lesson for any problem above — trace every variable and watch the pattern move until it clicks.
Start a free lessonPrepping for other companies
Our own editorial read on this loop, based on publicly reported experiences — not leaked or current question banks.