Interview Difficulty Tiers: Accuracy Benchmarks (2026)
2026-01-21
Interview
Research
Data
• 1 min readBenchmarks compare accuracy and speed across easy, medium, and hard interview questions, with a tiered study plan for 2026 prep and faster gains each week.
What this dataset is
Benchmarks below are based on anonymized, aggregated interview practice attempts. Use as directional guidance.
Sample and method
- n=22,140 technical and behavioral questions
- Difficulty tiers assigned by question complexity
- Scores measure accuracy and completion time
Accuracy and speed by tier
| Tier | Accuracy | Median time |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | 72% | 55s |
| Medium | 58% | 78s |
| Hard | 43% | 112s |
Tiered study plan
- Week 1: easy tier for structure and pacing
- Week 2: medium tier with timeboxing
- Week 3: hard tier with 2-step sensitivity checks
Related: Technical Accuracy Benchmarks and Walk Me Through a DCF.
External references: Harvard interview resources and MIT Career interviews.