Pramp: Our Take (review, pricing, alternatives)

Pramp (now called Exponent Practice) is a peer-to-peer mock interview platform for candidates who want to land a job at FAANG and other top tech companies. 

The platform matches you with other users based on availability and experience level while also providing structured interview questions and a collaborative coding environment to make practice sessions feel as close to the real thing as possible.

And the best part? It’s FREE (to an extent). You’ll get five practice credits, which refresh every month. 

If you’re preparing for interviews at Google, Meta, Amazon, or other top tech companies, you might be wondering whether Pramp is the best way to sharpen your skills or if another platform would serve you better.

Here’s an overview of what we’ll cover: 

1. How Pramp works
2. Pramp review (pros and cons)
3. Pramp alternatives
4. Pramp FAQs

Let’s get started!

1. How Pramp works↑

Before we go through the pros and cons of signing up for Pramp, let’s first take a look at how they operate:

1.1 What is Pramp?

Pramp, short for PRActice Makes Perfect, is a peer-to-peer mock interview platform that helps software engineers, product managers, and other tech professionals prepare for technical and behavioral interviews.

Pramp sessions are pre-scheduled and conducted live through one-on-one video calls. When signing up, you'll select your availability, practice needs, and interview objectives, and Pramp will pair you with another user who has similar experience levels. 

You'll have access to a shared code editor for technical questions, as well as receive interview questions, hints, test cases, solutions, and other resource materials as needed.

Each session is bi-directional, meaning both participants take turns as the interviewer and interviewee. Sessions typically last 60 minutes, but you'll have access to the video call for up to two hours. 

At the end of each session, participants have the option to exchange feedback, which many users find beneficial for recognizing best practices and common mistakes from the interviewer's perspective.

Pramp was acquired by Exponent in 2021. As of July 2024, all new Pramp sessions are hosted on the Exponent (TryExponent.com) platform. If you try to sign up for a practice session on the Pramp website, you’ll be automatically redirected to the Exponent Practice page. 

Existing Pramp users can link their accounts to Exponent to continue accessing mock interviews.

1.2 Is Pramp really free? Or is it just a free trial?

Pramp offers five free peer mock interview credits per month, along with access to all the features included in a free Exponent subscription: sample lessons, limited access to a questions database, and basic job referrals.

If you want unlimited practice sessions, you’ll need a paid Exponent subscription, which costs $79/mo or $12/mo per year. A subscription unlocks everything on the platform, including all training courses, video answers, unlimited peer mocks, a private Slack community, and AI-powered tools.

Some users report earning extra credits by leaving feedback after a session or receiving a reimbursement if their peer doesn’t show up. But take this with a grain of salt, as policies may have changed between the time users shared their experiences and when this article was published.

You can check out our full Exponent review for more details on pricing and services. 

1.3 What types of interviews can you practice?

Pramp provides various types of interviews, with questions sourced from real-life candidates. Here’s what you can practice:

• Product Management: Covers product sense, estimation, product design, and analytical thinking.
• Data Structures & Algorithms: Tests fundamental computer science concepts through coding problems.
• System Design: Focuses on designing scalable systems and evaluating trade-offs.
• Behavioral: Helps candidates prepare for work experience and culture-fit questions relevant to all tech roles.
• SQL (Beta): Tests SQL query skills, often required for data-related roles.
• Data Science & Machine Learning (Beta): Covers statistical concepts, data manipulation, and machine learning fundamentals.
• Frontend (Beta): Focuses on web development concepts, JavaScript frameworks, and UI design.

Note: Since SQL, Data Science & ML, and Frontend interviews are still in beta, available questions and peer matches may be more limited than in other categories.

1.4 How does Pramp match you with a practicing peer?

Pramp’s algorithm assigns a practice partner based on background, availability, programming language preferences, and interview topics. The goal is to pair users with someone at a similar skill level so both participants get the most out of each session. 

However, if you find someone you’d like to continue practicing with, you can use the ‘Intro’ feature to exchange contact details. There’s also a ‘Practice with a Friend’ option that lets you schedule interviews with someone you already know.

1.5 When do interviews happen?

Pramp runs mock interviews at set times every day, so you can either schedule in advance or join a session at the last minute.

Here’s when each type of interview is available:

• Product Management: 2 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM PT
• Data Structures & Algorithms: Every two hours from 8 AM to midnight (local time)
• System Design: 2 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM PT
• Behavioral: 2 AM, 8 AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM PT
• SQL: 8 AM and 6 PM PT
• Data Science & ML: 6 AM and 4 PM PT
• Frontend: 6 AM and 4 PM PT

Slots fill up fast, so try to schedule ahead to increase your chances of getting a convenient time.

2. Pramp review (pros and cons)↑

The first thing to say is that Pramp by Exponent is completely legitimate and credible, though from our research in forums such as Reddit and Blind, the quality of customer experiences tends to vary greatly. Whether or not it’s helpful for your specific situation will depend on the services you get.

2.1 Pramp pros

Free to use

On top of the free monthly credits, you’ll have access to Exponent's question bank with thousands of verified questions from companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon. You can filter by role, category, and topic, but company-specific filters require a paid subscription. If you're not ready for a financial commitment, it’s a great way to practice your interview skills before exploring paid coaching options.

Built-in Code Editor with Video Calls

Pramp's platform includes a shared code editor, a built-in video call, and a timer to simulate the pressure of a live interview. You can collaborate with peers in real time, while the timer helps keep sessions within typical interview limits.

Diverse Mock Interview Formats

Unlike coding platforms like LeetCode that focus solely on coding problems, Pramp offers mock interviews covering behavioral, system design, and product management topics. This makes it one of the few platforms where you can practice both technical problem-solving and soft skills in a live interview setting.

Peer Review and Feedback System

Pramp allows users to provide and receive feedback after each session. While this is optional, many users find it helpful in identifying gaps in their responses and improving their problem-solving and communication skills.

Role Reversal for Better Learning

Since Pramp uses a peer-to-peer format, you get to experience both sides of the table. Many users report that this experience helps them understand the interviewer's perspective and enhances their ability to communicate technical concepts effectively under pressure.

One user said, “The peer-to-peer format really made me realize how I communicate my thought process, and I received valuable feedback that I wouldn’t have noticed on my own.”

2.2 Pramp cons

Hit-or-Miss Peer Match

If you're aiming for big tech or trying to break into FAANG, feedback from someone with real hiring experience can be invaluable. While Pramp matches users based on availability and experience, reviews on Reddit and Blind mention that some peers come unprepared, rush through sessions, or provide little to no feedback.

In comparison, IGotAnOffer connects you with ex-FAANG coaches from top tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon. You’ll get insights from industry professionals who know what it takes to succeed in real interviews.

Technical Issues

Some users experience connection problems, audio glitches, and lag in the shared code editor during mock interviews. Reviews on Blind and Dev.to mention difficulties finding peers and occasional call quality issues that can disrupt sessions.

Scheduling Issues

Finding a session that fits your schedule can be challenging since Pramp pre-sets interview slots instead of letting users choose their own time. This can be frustrating for those on a tight timeline, such as candidates preparing for back-to-back interviews or working professionals balancing a full-time job. Some users also report last-minute cancellations or no-shows.

Limited Free Sessions

Pramp offers five free mock interview credits per month, but once you run out, you’ll need a paid Exponent subscription at $79/mo or $12/mo per year.

Some users feel the pricing is too high, with one user saying, “I love Pramp (now Exponent) and would totally consider paying for it, but the monthly option ($79/month) is just way too expensive compared to the annual option ($12/month)." 

For that price, you could book a one-on-one session with an actual expert at IGotAnOffer, where you’ll receive personalized feedback and company-specific insights for your target role.

Browse over 300 coaches and mentors on IGotAnOffer

3. Pramp alternatives (top 3)↑

With these Pramp limitations in mind, we’ve drawn up a shortlist of what we think are the three best tech interviewing coaching services available right now for candidates who want to improve their interviewing skills.

#IGotAnOffer

Okay, we may be biased here, but a 4.96 average star rating from over 17k reviews is hard to ignore.

IGotAnOffer is a coaching platform where you can book mock interview sessions. It also offers career mentoring, leadership coaching, resume review, and salary negotiation coaching sessions.

While it's a paid service, getting insights from someone who has been on the other side of the hiring process can make all the difference. There are over 300 coaches on the platform, and they’ve all worked at the very top companies in tech (e.g., Google, Meta, Amazon, etc.).

Unlike Pramp, where you’re paired with another candidate, IGotAnOffer connects you with coaches who specialize in product management or engineering interviews, so they will be well-equipped with real-world insights to guide you through the interview process in your chosen role and target company.

Click on a coach’s profile, and you can instantly see their hourly availability. Prices are clearly displayed before you book, and if you’re not satisfied with your session, you get a full refund.

IGotAnOffer does not have interview training courses, but it offers free and comprehensive interview prep guides on the website and a range of high-quality mock interview videos for product managers and software engineers on YouTube.

#ADPList

ADPList isn’t perfect, but we’ve included it as a top pick because, unlike Pramp, which operates on a monthly credit system for peer mock interviews, ADPList offers unlimited access to mentorship sessions.

Signing up takes a few minutes as you have to give details about yourself, your company, etc., but once you’re in, you can browse mentors across a whole load of industries and roles, including engineering, sales, design, data science, marketing, and others.

As you’d expect, the experience and expertise level of the mentors isn’t as consistent as on a paid platform such as IGotAnOffer, but there are still some highly experienced people on there willing to connect with you for no charge. Also, the booking system works well, as you can immediately see mentors' available times and request a session.

The platform is built to encourage community, so there’s even a ‘Neighborhood” forum where you can ask questions. If you’re willing to invest some time on a mentorship platform, ADPlist is the sort of site where the more time you spend interacting with it, the more you get out of it.

#Mentoring Club

Mentoring Club is a not-for-profit mentoring community. Mentors volunteer their time because they want to give something back, so you can almost guarantee they’re going to be very nice people!

A quick browse of the available mentors reveals people from all over the world, with a very strong German presence (luckily, Germans always speak excellent English!). I found a nice range of profiles there, including startup founders, managing directors, software engineers, designers, etc.

Don’t expect to be able to search specific expertise and experience in the way you can on Pramp or IGotAnOffer, but there is definitely a wealth of expertise worth tapping into on this platform, and yes, it’s free.

4. Pramp FAQs↑

If we did a good job writing this article, you should have found enough information to help you decide whether Pramp is the right fit for your interview prep. 

We've covered the basics earlier, but if you’re still on the fence, here are answers to the most frequently asked questions to help you make your final decision.

4.1   Who is the founder of Pramp?

Pramp was founded in 2015 by engineers and colleagues Rafi Zikavashvili and David Glauber. The platform was later acquired by Exponent on November 18, 2021, and its features and community have since been integrated into Exponent Practice.

4.3 Are Pramp sessions completely anonymous?

We understand that some candidates don’t want their colleagues to know they’re preparing for interviews at other companies. Pramp protects your privacy, but sessions aren’t entirely anonymous. Your public display name is visible to your partner, though you can update it anytime or use a pseudonym. 

Video is optional, and Pramp won’t share personal details unless you choose to exchange contact information.

4.4 What is the difference between Pramp and Exponent?

Pramp was originally a standalone platform for peer-to-peer mock interviews, primarily for software engineers practicing data structures and system design. After its acquisition by Exponent, Pramp’s free peer mock interviews were integrated into Exponent’s platform, which now includes additional services like paid coaching, training courses, and a larger question bank.

Conclusion

Pramp by Exponent is a popular free peer mock interview platform that offers practice sessions for both technical and behavioral interviews. It provides a structured way to improve your skills with real-time feedback from peers.

But is it the best option for you? Only you can decide that, although hopefully, in this article, we’ve helped you make a more informed decision.

If you want to know more about mock interviews in general, read our deep dive, "What is a Mock Interview?" where you'll find tips, sample questions, and videos to help you maximize your session.

If you want to explore more interview prep services, check out our reviews of:

• Interviewing.io alternatives
• Pathrise alternatives
• MentorCruise alternatives
• Prepfully alternatives
• TopResume review
• TryExponent.com review

Whichever tech interview platform you choose, we hope you’ll consider IGotAnOffer.

You’ll find over 300 mock interview coaches on our platform, and you can search by industry, role, or company to get the right match for you. You can see the coaches' hourly availability and book your online session in a couple of clicks.