Interview Query vs StrataScratch: Which One Is Right for You?

Preparing for interviews can often feel like navigating a maze—so many platforms, each promising to be the key to success. Among the most discussed are Interview Query and StrataScratch. Both offer access to real interview questions and aim to help you land your next role. But how do you determine which platform aligns best with your goals and learning style?

This guide provides an in-depth comparison of Interview Query and StrataScratch, focusing on:

• The strengths and limitations of each platform
• Which platform suits your specific needs, whether you’re targeting SQL-intensive roles or seeking a broader range of interview preparation
• How to maximize your investment in terms of time and resources

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clearer understanding of which platform can best support your journey to acing data science interviews.

This isn’t your typical “pros and cons” list; it’s built for aspiring data scientists who want to use their prep time wisely. If that’s you, you might be in one of these groups:

• Early-stage candidates looking for a clear, structured learning path.
• Technical professionals aiming to sharpen SQL and Python skills.
• Career switchers moving into data science from a different field.
• Advanced candidates preparing for final interview rounds at top-tier tech companies.

We evaluated both platforms across five key areas for interview prep: UI/UX, content quality, features & innovation, pricing, and community. Ratings come from hands-on testing, user feedback, and trusted public reviews.

Interview Query shines for end-to-end prep—mock interviews, AI tools, coaching, and case studies cover the full interview journey. StrataScratch excels in affordable, high-quality SQL challenges but remains narrowly focused.

The difference comes down to breadth, depth, and innovation, where Interview Query leads.

Comparison Table

Category	Interview Query Score	StratScratch Score	Why it Matters	Key Differentiator
UI/UX	8 / 10	7 / 10	Determines how intuitive and efficient the platform feels during usage	Interview Query offers more structured navigation, while StrataScratch has cleaner code execution
Content Quality & Depth	18 / 20	14 / 20	Reflects the breadth, structure, and realism of interview questions and solutions	Interview Query offers domain-specific guides, video walkthroughs, and case studies
Features & Innovation	9 / 10	5 / 10	Highlights platform tools like mock interviews, learning paths, and AI feedback	Interview Query includes P2P mocks, AI critique, and company timelines
Pricing & Value for Money	7 / 10	9 / 10	Compares access vs. cost across plans and question volume	StrataScratch offers a stronger monthly value; Interview Query excels in lifetime tools
Community & Support	5 / 5	3 / 5	Shows how much peer learning, forums, and expert access is enabled	Interview Query offers AMAs, LinkedIn engagement, and live sessions
Running Total	47 / 55	38 / 55

Alma Chen, now a data analyst at Lyft, credits Interview Query for helping her pivot from actuarial science to tech. Generic interview tips were easy to find, but targeted prep for data roles? Not so much—until she found Interview Query.

“I quickly narrowed my search to data roles at tech companies, but I didn’t know much about their interview process. The further I got into the field, the more I turned to Interview Query for guidance.”

Kyle, now a data scientist at Twitch, had a different hurdle—SQL. StrataScratch helped him level up fast.

“I went from barely finishing an easy SQL query to solving most medium-level problems in just a few days.”

Before comparing features, let’s explore what these platforms are about:

What is Interview Query?

Interview Query is a specialized platform built by experienced data scientists, software engineers, and industry professionals to help aspiring data scientists prepare for job interviews. It curates 1,000+ real-world interview questions from top companies like Google, Meta, Airbnb, and Amazon—spanning SQL, statistics, algorithms, machine learning, and product sense.

Beyond questions, Interview Query offers mock interviews with real industry experts, hands-on challenges, and an AI Interviewer for personalized feedback. Whether you’re practicing case studies or tackling technical problem-solving, the platform provides the tools and guidance to boost your confidence and sharpen your skills before the big day.

Book a Mock Interview →

What is StrataScratch?

StrataScratch is an online education platform aimed at helping students and professionals prepare for data science, engineering, and analytics roles. It focuses on hands-on coding practice and real-world interview questions sourced from top companies.

Covering roles like data scientist, data engineer, BI analyst, and ML engineer, StrataScratch offers a clean, student-friendly interface and a large library of both coding and non-coding interview questions. While its strength lies in question variety and accessibility, it provides fewer advanced tools or structured guidance compared to more interview-focused platforms.

Here’s a detailed look at how Interview Query and StrataScratch differ when it comes to core offerings, depth of content, and interview realism.

Question Bank & Problem Sets

Feature	Interview Query	StrataScratch
Total Questions	1,000+	1,000+
Real Company Questions	Yes	Yes
Python, Pandas, R Support	Yes	Limited
Case Studies	Included	Not Structured
Filtering by Role/Type/Company	Advanced filters	Limited

When you subscribe to an interview prep tool, a huge question bank can either be a blessing or a trap due to information overload. If the content is relevant, organized, and mirrors real interviews, you progress faster. If it’s scattered or one-dimensional, you waste precious prep time.

This is where Interview Query and StrataScratch take very different approaches.

Interview Query

nterview Query features 1,000+ real-world interview questions from companies like Google, Amazon, and Airbnb, spanning coding, case studies, behavioral prompts, and ML system design. Many are placed within company-specific guides so you can see exactly where they fit in an interview loop. With support for Python, pandas, PostgreSQL, and R, it’s built for complete, 360° prep.

As one candidate shared, “Interview Query has a lot more questions and more info on the job process… I looked at both tools when I was applying for jobs and ended up going with Interview Query.” For multi-stage, top-tier interviews, this range and context give it a clear edge.

StrataScratch

StrataScratch excels at hands-on SQL practice, offering 649+ problems that can push even confident coders. While it includes some Python, statistics, and product sense questions, its focus is squarely on SQL, with less interview context. As one user admitted, “Thought I was good in SQL until I tried StrataScratch… it’s seriously difficult.” For mixed-skill interviews, you may need to pair it with other resources.

Key Takeaways:

• For most data science candidates who need well-rounded prep, Interview Query’s mix of breadth, real interview context, and domain variety makes it a more strategic choice.
• StrataScratch is mostly for those who need intensive SQL practice or are focused on mastering coding problems.

To test your skills beyond interview questions, take on the real-world analytics challenges from top companies on Interview Query. Great for sharpening your problem-solving before interviews. 

Start solving challenges →

Difficulty Levels & Realism

Practicing “real-world” questions only pays off if they mirror the difficulty and format of actual interviews. A platform might sharpen your technical skills, but still leave you unprepared for the dynamics of a full interview loop.

Both Interview Query and StrataScratch categorize questions by difficulty—easy, medium, and hard. But Interview Query goes further with company-specific guides that group questions by technical domain and role, offering a structured path through the entire interview process. With over 6,000 guides, candidates can tailor prep to exact roles. For example, targeting a senior business analytics role at Airbnb means practicing the same SQL, product sense, and behavioral questions past candidates have faced.

As Candor notes: “On Interview Query, you can specify what types of questions to practice, sorting by question type, job position, difficulty level, company and question topic… tailor your studying to your dream role and company.”

While StrataScratch also provides company guides, they lack this deeper domain-based organization. Its strength lies in highly challenging SQL problems that push technical ability but don’t capture the broader interview context.

Key Takeaways

• Interview Query: Best for realistic, role-specific prep—covering coding, case studies, and behavioral dynamics with visuals of the process and timelines.
• StrataScratch: Best for sharpening SQL skills with tough, technical practice, but lighter on real interview context.

In short, Interview Query bridges the gap between practice problems and the realities of a full interview loop, making it the stronger option for most data science candidates.

Solution Explanations & Walkthroughs

Element	Interview Query	StrataScratch
Step-by-Step Explanations	Most questions	Shorter explanations
Runnable Code Environment	Yes. Good.	Yes. Better.
Video Walkthroughs	Available (premium)	Available
Expert Coaching Option	1:1 sessions offered	Not Available

A common pain point candidates mention when choosing an interview prep tool is the lack of solution walkthroughs. With interview formats for data science roles evolving since 2023–24, being able to walk your interviewer through your thinking has become just as important as arriving at the right answer.

That’s why Interview Query now pairs coding problems and case studies with structured walkthroughs and video discussions, complementing our existing code-focused approach. Most solutions on the platform include a step-by-step breakdown of reasoning and edge-case handling. Premium users also get 1:1 coaching with industry experts who’ve successfully navigated these interviews.

Take this SQL question on cumulative distribution, for example: the solution guides you from initial query construction to refining the logic, explaining not just the “how” but also the “why.” This approach helps you build repeatable problem-solving patterns you can apply to future SQL challenges.

Struggling with take-home assignments? Get structured practice with Interview Query’s Take-Home Test Prep and learn how to ace real case studies.

Practice take-home tests →

StrataScratch

StrataScratch stands out for its accessible, runnable coding environment, letting you edit and execute Python or SQL solutions directly. Like Interview Query, most problems come with a complete solution, but the explanations are more concise.

While some questions include an “approach” section, the focus is largely on final code rather than step-by-step reasoning. The platform leans toward giving you the tools to practice independently rather than guiding you through every detail.

Key Takeaways:

• Interview Query provides thorough explanations with step-by-step breakdowns, video walkthroughs, and the option for 1:1 coaching.
• StrataScratch offers shorter, code-focused explanations, encouraging users to figure things out on their own. It may not be suitable for those who need more detailed guidance.

Mock Interviews & Scenario Practice

Feature	Interview Query	StrataScratch
Peer Mock Interviews (Video)	Yes	No
AI-Powered Feedback	Yes	No
Timed Challenges	Included	Not Included
Take-Home Case Projects	50+ curated projects	Limited
Scenario-Based Practice	Realistic simulations	Not Offered

Bridging the gap between solving isolated problems and performing under real interview pressure is a major challenge for data science candidates. Explaining stats alone is very different from thinking aloud under an interviewer’s watch. Mock interviews recreate this high-pressure, multi-skill environment.

Interview Query offers structured peer-to-peer mock interviews with real-time video sessions and AI feedback. Sessions last about 1.5 hours and include company-specific scenarios, timed quizzes, and case-study walkthroughs. As Laura Gomez says: “Smooth interface, superior video quality. P2P interviews emulate real job interviews effectively. Can do multiple interviews weekly. Thoroughly positive experience, ¹⁰⁄₁₀.”

StrataScratch, in contrast, does not offer formal mock interviews or video simulations. It provides a large library of coding challenges and problems, which are primarily standalone exercises. While excellent for sharpening technical skills, it lacks the full interview context and pressure simulation.

Key Takeaways:

Interview Query’s mock interviews provide a realistic, structured environment with AI feedback and coaching—ideal for advanced candidates or multi-stage interviews.

StrataScratch is best for practicing standalone coding problems, especially SQL, but doesn’t replicate the experience of a live interview loop.

Need 1:1 guidance on your interview strategy? Interview Query’s Coaching Program pairs you with mentors to refine your prep and build confidence. 

Explore coaching options →

Community, Forums, & Peer Discussion

Peer learning is crucial for skill development and interview prep. Interview Query fosters an active community with live Q&A, discussion boards, networking, AMAs, and expert coach drop-ins. Co-founder Jay also engages with 51K followers on job updates, industry news, and problem-solving sessions.

StrataScratch focuses more on independent learning with tutorials and question-specific discussions.

Key Takeaways:

Interview Query: Rich, community-driven environment with live sessions and expert insights—ideal for those who value peer support. StrataScratch: Best for independent study with less emphasis on community interaction.

Platform Usability, Progress Tracking, & User Experience

A well-organized platform saves prep time and keeps focus on skill-building.

Interview Query offers a modern, intuitive interface with clear sections for Questions, Mock Interviews, Company Guides, AI Interviews, and Learning Paths. Learning Paths guide candidates through SQL, stats, and A/B testing while tracking progress, remaining modules, and time estimates. Desktop-first features enhance mock interviews and coding exercises.

StrataScratch uses a minimal design emphasizing clean coding exercises and a strong compiler. While it includes blogs and domain guides, formal learning paths and progress tracking are absent.

Key Takeaways:

Interview Query: Structured, goal-oriented platform with progress tracking and curated learning paths.

StrataScratch: Minimalist, hands-on coding focus—great for self-paced practice.

We compared not just the prices, but also what each plan unlocks in terms of features, depth, and long-term value.

Pricing Tiers

Here is a comprehensive comparison of pricing tiers for both platforms:

Plan	Interview Query	StrataScratch
Monthly Plan	$69/month (billed monthly)	$34/month (billed monthly)
Yearly Plan	$169/year (billed annually)	$159/year (billed annually)
Lifetime Plan	$299 (one-time payment)	$289 (one-time payment)

Value for Money

If you’re opting for a monthly plan, StrataScratch holds a clear pricing advantage, with Interview Query costing approximately 132% more. However, that gap narrows—and even shifts in favor of Interview Query—when considering lifetime access. This is due to the added value of its extensive tools, in-depth company guides, and integrated job board.

Considering the updated July 2025 database, the Interview Query costs approximately $0.20-$0.30 per question, while StrataScratch costs $0.13-$0.26.

This table offers a side-by-side feature snapshot to help you make a faster and more informed decision.

Feature	Interview Query	StrataScratch
Platform Focus	End-to-end interview preparation with mock interviews, learning paths, and guides	Practice-heavy coding platform with SQL emphasis and self-paced learning
Types of Questions	Coding, case studies, ML system design, behavioral, take-home projects	Primarily SQL and Python, with some non-coding and product questions
Mock Interviews	Yes — peer-to-peer video interviews with AI feedback and structured sessions	No — only standalone practice problems
Case Studies	Included with breakdowns, walkthroughs, and video discussions	Limited and mostly embedded in problem sets
SQL/DB Query Problems	Very Strong — Over 130 SQL questions included within broader question sets	Very Strong — Real SQL interview questions with a built-in SQL editor
Python Problems	Yes — with guided explanations, video support, and runnable code	Yes — runnable solutions but limited contextual guidance
System Design	Included in company-specific guides and interview prep paths	Not a core focus
Personalized Feedback	Available — AI code critique, 1:1 coaching, and peer reviews	Not available
Community/Forums	Active — peer discussions, live Q&A, AMAs, YouTube, LinkedIn, networking events	Basic — individual question threads and tutorials
Pricing	Higher monthly cost, better long-term value with lifetime plan.	Lower monthly cost, strong value for short-term practice

Here’s a breakdown of who each platform is best suited for based on your learning goals and interview preparation stage.

Choose Interview Query if you want an all-in-one platform with questions, learning paths, company guides, and mock interviews. Ideal for candidates targeting top tech and product-driven companies (Google, Meta, Airbnb, DoorDash), it offers step-by-step case breakdowns, scenario-based reasoning, and practice beyond SQL—covering analytics, algorithms, product sense, A/B testing, and ML. Structured learning paths and progress tracking guide your preparation efficiently.

Choose StrataScratch if you want to focus on SQL-heavy problem sets and database skills. Perfect for self-paced, hands-on practice with instant code execution and concise explanations, it’s best suited for roles with technical SQL screens or for candidates looking to sharpen coding independently.

If your focus is drilling SQL, StrataScratch is a solid pick—great for hands-on practice and early-stage prep.

But if you want real interview readiness—mock interviews, AI feedback, curated paths, and company-specific guides—Interview Query is the smarter long-term bet for landing offers, not just passing assessments.

Still deciding? These quick answers to common questions can help clarify which option is right for you.

Is Interview Query worth it for data science interviews?

Yes, Interview Query is especially valuable if you’re preparing for roles at product-focused or data-driven companies. It offers more than just question banks. You get access to mock interviews, case studies, company-specific guides, AI-powered feedback, and structured learning paths. These features make it a strong all-in-one prep solution for candidates who want to simulate real interview environments and improve holistically.

Which platform is better for SQL interview practice?

If SQL is your main focus, StrataScratch is the better choice, despite Interview Query having more step-by-step discussions. StrataScratch is designed with SQL-heavy assessments in mind and is ideal for roles where SQL is a core requirement, such as data analysts or BI developers.

Does Interview Query offer company-specific interview questions?

Yes, Interview Query provides detailed company-specific interview guides for hundreds of companies, including Google, Meta, Amazon, Airbnb, and more. These guides often include real past questions, interview timelines, process breakdowns, and insights into role expectations. They help candidates prepare strategically for interviews at targeted organizations.

How to decide which platform suits my interview needs?

Start by identifying your primary goal. If you’re focused on mastering SQL and want self-paced, hands-on coding practice, StrataScratch is a great fit. If you’re looking for a comprehensive prep experience that includes mock interviews, case studies, behavioral prep, and structured learning, Interview Query is the better choice. Your decision should align with the type of role you’re pursuing and how far along you are in the interview preparation process.

Ready to land your dream role at Google, Amazon, Meta, or Airbnb?

Interview Query gets you out of the endless grind and into real interview prep—with mock interviews, company guides, and step-by-step learning built for the roles you’re actually applying to. Explore real interview questions for 2025 →

With resources like our Company Interview Guides and curated question banks, you will get real case questions, step-by-step walkthroughs, and coaching support to boost both your technical skills and problem-solving confidence. Take the next step—explore more interview questions, try a mock interview, and see how fast your prep can accelerate.

Start for free today.