How Do I Prepare Coding Interview in a Week for Oracle?

Preparing for a coding interview in just one week can be challenging, especially for a company like Oracle, which typically has rigorous technical interviews. However, if you're focused and dedicated, you can make the most of your time with the following steps:

Day 1-2: Review Data Structures and Algorithms

  1. Data Structures: Make sure you have a solid understanding of essential data structures like arrays, linked lists, trees (binary trees, binary search trees), hash tables, stacks, and queues.

  2. Algorithms: Revise common algorithms like searching (binary search, linear search), sorting (quicksort, mergesort), and graph algorithms (BFS, DFS).

Day 3-4: Practice Problem Solving

  1. LeetCode and HackerRank: Start solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode and HackerRank. Focus on topics like arrays, strings, linked lists, and basic algorithms.

  2. Time Management: Work on your problem-solving speed. Set a timer for each problem and try to improve your efficiency.

Day 5-6: Dive Deeper into Algorithms

  1. Dynamic Programming: Learn and practice dynamic programming concepts and problems. This is a common topic in coding interviews.

  2. Recursion: Brush up on recursion and solve recursive problems. Many dynamic programming problems are solved using recursion.

  3. Complexity Analysis: Understand time and space complexity analysis. Know how to analyze the efficiency of your code.

Day 7: Mock Interviews and Review

  1. Mock Interviews: Schedule mock interviews with a friend or use online platforms like Pramp or Interviewing.io to simulate real interview conditions.

  2. Review Mistakes: After each mock interview, review your mistakes and the areas where you struggled. Focus on improving those areas.

  3. Final Review: Spend the last part of your day revising important concepts, data structures, and algorithms.

General Tips:

  1. Use Online Resources: There are many online resources like video tutorials, blogs, and forums where you can find explanations and solutions to coding problems.

  2. Oracle-Specific Topics: Research Oracle-specific technologies or areas of interest (e.g., databases, cloud services) and be prepared to discuss them.

  3. Stay Calm: During the interview, stay calm and communicate your thought process clearly. Interviewers often value problem-solving approach and communication as much as the correct solution.