Machine Coding Round Preparation Guide

The Fastest Path to High-Paying Software Engineering Jobs Without Heavy DSA

Most candidates think that cracking top tech companies requires mastering very advanced DSA, dynamic programming, graph theory, and hundreds of LeetCode problems.

But that is not true for many high-paying companies.

A lot of top product companies now prefer Machine Coding Rounds (MCR) instead of traditional DSA rounds. These companies are more interested in
• real-world coding ability
• clean code
• working features
• modular design
• testing skills
• day-to-day development knowledge

If you find DSA difficult or boring but enjoy building real applications, this interview format is perfect for you.

Let’s explore everything.

---

What is a Machine Coding Round?

A machine coding round is a hands-on coding assignment where you need to
• Build a mini application
• Implement core features
• Apply OOP, design patterns, and modular design
• Handle edge cases
• Write clean code
• Use a real programming language (Java, Python, JS, etc.)
• Sometimes write unit tests

Time is usually 1 to 3 hours.
No theoretical questions.
No advanced algorithms.

This round tests exactly what you do in a real job.

---

Why Machine Coding Rounds Are Getting Popular

Companies prefer this round because it evaluates
• Real engineering ability
• Code structure quality
• Understanding of frameworks
• Low-level design thinking
• Hands-on skills
• Ability to ship working features

It removes the randomness of DSA and focuses on practical coding.

This is great news for developers who want to focus on real-world skills rather than solving tricky algorithm puzzles.

---

Companies That Prefer Machine Coding Rounds

Here is a list of popular Indian and global companies that actively prefer MCR over DSA.

Indian Product Companies

• BrowserStack
• PhonePe
• Atlassian
• Flipkart
• Uber
• Swiggy
• Udaan
• Gojek
• Cred

Many of these companies pay 20 to 60 LPA depending on experience.

Global Remote Companies (US, UK, Australia)

Most remote startups and product companies prefer
• machine coding
• low-level design
• hands-on coding challenges
• real project assessments

Examples include companies hiring through
• Turing
• RemoteOK
• AngelList
• WeWorkRemotely
• Hired
• Wellfound

These companies want developers who can
• build APIs
• design modular classes
• write maintainable code
• understand frameworks
• write tests
• think like engineers

This is exactly what MCR evaluates.

---

What Skills You Need for Machine Coding Rounds

Here are the essential skills for MCR preparation.

1. Strong Command Over Your Programming Language

• Java, Python, JavaScript/Node, Go, Kotlin, or C#
• Default language APIs
• Collections
• Error handling
• OOP concepts

2. Understanding of Basic Low-Level Design

• Classes
• Objects
• Interfaces
• SOLID principles
• Design patterns (strategy, factory, observer)

3. Clean Code Practices

• Small functions
• Meaningful names
• Clear separation of responsibilities
• No huge classes

4. Basic Web Framework Knowledge

Does not need to be advanced.
Just know how to
• create routes
• handle requests
• connect layers
• structure folders

5. Ability to Build Features End-to-End

Instead of solving puzzles, you should be good at
• implementing workflows
• handling user input
• printing/outputting expected results
• managing state
• modeling real-world problems

6. Unit Testing Fundamentals

Not mandatory everywhere, but a plus.

---

Benefits of Machine Coding Rounds Compared to DSA

Many candidates find MCR easier because
• It feels practical
• You are building something real
• You don’t need DP, graphs, or complex algorithms
• It rewards good coding style
• Beginner-friendly

If you prefer hands-on building over solving puzzles, this interview format is ideal for you.

---

Best Resources to Prepare for Machine Coding Rounds

Here are the top beginner-friendly resources.

1. BrowserStack Machine Coding Questions

Question 1
https://youtu.be/wnko6wYK640

Question 2
https://youtu.be/wnko6wYK640

Short summary
https://youtube.com/shorts/a2i7jXG9Hvc

2. Practice Machine Coding Questions

https://workat.tech/machine-coding

WorkAtTech is the best free platform to practice
• Snake and Ladder
• Splitwise
• Parking Lot
• In-Memory DB
• ATM Machine
• Logging System

3. Low-Level Design Tutorials

• WorkAtTech LLD topics
• SDE Skills (YouTube)
• Sudhanshu Saxena LLD playlist

4. Clean Code Learning

• Clean Code book summary videos
• JavaScript or Java best practices
• Coding with chat-GPT pair style

5. Build Mini Projects Weekly

Practice by building
• Rate limiting service
• Elevator system
• Movie ticket system
• Food ordering flow
• Cache service

The more you build, the faster you improve.

---

How to Prepare Step by Step

Step 1: Pick one language and master its basics

Java or Node.js are most preferred.

Step 2: Study 10 to 15 LLD patterns

Focus on how to structure classes.

Step 3: Solve 5 to 7 machine coding problems

Start with easy ones like Snake and Ladder.

Step 4: Practice timed machine coding

Set a 2 hour timer and build a working solution.

Step 5: Review your code

Check
• naming
• structure
• modularity
• extensibility

Step 6: Practice a full mock interview

Explain your thought process just like in real interviews.

---

Final Advice

Machine coding rounds are becoming the new standard for many great companies.
If you are someone who
• struggles with DSA
• prefers building real systems
• wants to focus on practical knowledge
• wants to target high-paying companies

Then MCR preparation can open amazing opportunities for you.

Stay consistent, build projects, practice machine coding, and you will definitely crack these interviews.