FAANG Interview Prep

Week 1: Arrays, Strings, and Two Pointers

• Class Topics:
  • Sliding Window Technique
  • Two-Pointer Approach
  • Prefix Sum & Hashing
  • Common Patterns (Cyclic Sort, Fast & Slow Pointers)
• Post-Class Work:
  • Solve 10-15 LeetCode problems (Medium/Hard)
  • Implement custom problems (e.g., custom hashmap)

Week 2: Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, and Recursion

• Class Topics:
  • Reverse, Merge, and Detect Cycles in Linked Lists
  • Monotonic Stacks & Queue-based Problems
  • Recursion & Backtracking (Subsets, Permutations)
• Post-Class Work:
  • Solve 10 recursion-based problems
  • Implement iterative vs. recursive solutions

Week 3: Trees & Graphs (DFS/BFS, Trie, Heaps)

• Class Topics:
  • Binary Tree Traversals (Inorder, Preorder, Postorder)
  • Graph Algorithms (Dijkstra, Topological Sort, Union-Find)
  • Trie & Heap Applications
• Post-Class Work:
  • Solve 5 graph problems (e.g., shortest path, MST)
  • Implement a Trie-based autocomplete system

Week 4: Dynamic Programming (Memoization, Tabulation, Patterns)

• Class Topics:
  • DP Patterns (Knapsack, LCS, Fibonacci)
  • State Transitions & Optimization
  • Greedy vs. DP
• Post-Class Work:
  • Solve 8-10 DP problems (Medium/Hard)
  • Write a memoization wrapper for recursive functions

Week 5: System Design Fundamentals & Case Studies

• Class Topics:
  • Load Balancing, Caching (Redis, CDN)
  • Database Choices (SQL vs. NoSQL, Sharding)
  • CAP Theorem, Consistency Models
  • Case Study: Design TinyURL
• Post-Class Work:
  • Write a design doc for a Pastebin-like service
  • Compare SQL vs. NoSQL for different use cases

Week 6: Scalability & Distributed Systems

• Class Topics:
  • Microservices vs. Monoliths
  • Event-Driven Architecture (Kafka, SQS)
  • Case Study: Design Twitter
• Post-Class Work:
  • Design a scalable notification system
  • Research eventual vs. strong consistency

Week 7: OOP & Design Patterns

• Class Topics:
  • SOLID Principles
  • Factory, Observer, Singleton Patterns
  • Case Study: Design Parking Lot
• Post-Class Work:
  • Implement a vending machine in code
  • Refactor a legacy system using SOLID

Week 8: Real-World LLD Problems

• Class Topics:
  • Concurrency (Thread Pools, Deadlocks)
  • Case Study: Design Elevator System
• Post-Class Work:
  • Implement a thread-safe cache
  • Solve producer-consumer problem

Week 9: Amazon Leadership Principles & STAR Method

• Class Topics:
  • Deep dive into Amazon’s 16 LPs
  • Structuring answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
  • Mock behavioral interviews
• Post-Class Work:
  • Write 10 STAR stories
  • Peer review with classmates

Week 10: Google/Meta Behavioral Expectations

• Class Topics:
  • Handling conflict, failure, and ambiguity
  • "Tell me about a time when…" questions
  • Mock interviews with feedback
• Post-Class Work:
  • Record & self-evaluate answers
  • Research company-specific culture

Week 11: Resume, LinkedIn & Mock Interviews

• Class Activities:
  • Resume and Linkedin update
  • 1:1 mock interviews 
  • Group whiteboarding sessions
• Post-Class Work:
  • Revise weak areas
  • Solve 5 new problems daily

Week 12: Final Mock Interviews & Strategy

• Class Activities:
  • Full-loop mock interviews (coding + system design + behavioral)
  • Negotiation & offer discussion strategies
• Post-Class Work:
  • Final revision & relaxation before interviews

• 20 Mock Interviews (1:1 with coaches)
• Private Slack/Discord Community for peer discussions
• Weekly Office Hours for doubt resolution