Whether you're preparing for interviews or conducting them, these 15 React questions cover what actually gets asked in 2026. From hooks to performance optimization, with real follow-up questions interviewers use.
01 Topics Covered
02 The Questions
Key Points to Cover
- useState: simple state, primitive values
- useReducer: complex state logic, multiple sub-values
- useReducer: when next state depends on previous
- useReducer: better for testing (pure reducer function)
Follow-up Question
How would you handle async actions with useReducer?
03 How to Practice
Set Up a Coding Environment
Use Playcode or CodeSandbox to practice. Get comfortable coding React under time pressure.
Practice Explaining
Talk out loud while coding. Interviewers want to hear your thinking process, not just see the final code.
Time Yourself
Give yourself 15-20 minutes per question. Real interviews have time pressure. Practice working under constraints.
04 FAQ
What React topics are most asked in interviews?
Hooks (useState, useEffect, useCallback, useMemo) are the most common. After that: state management patterns, performance optimization, and practical coding challenges like building small features.
Should I use TypeScript in React interviews?
Yes, if the job requires TypeScript (most modern React positions do). Using it demonstrates you can work in production codebases. If you're unsure, ask the interviewer at the start.
Do I need to know class components?
Basic understanding is helpful (error boundaries require them), but most interviews focus on functional components and hooks. You won't be asked to write class components from scratch in 2026.
Should I memorize these answers?
No. Understand the concepts and practice coding them. Interviewers can tell when answers are memorized. Focus on being able to explain WHY, not just WHAT.
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