Answers document. The core of your preparation process is writing a document with all anticipated questions and your answers to them.

Your first sentence in the interview is either a solution description or value proposition. It should be 4–8 words long and pass the “mom’s test”, i.e. your parents should be able to repeat it back to you.

Define 3 core strength points in advance. Steer conversation to hit them all, sometimes even regardless of questions.

Know your 2–3 key weakness areas and prepare short, crisp answers to most common concerns.

From YC’s standpoint, the purpose of the interview is to extract as much info as possible in 10min.

Expect 40–80 questions in 10 minutes, 8–12 seconds per question-and-answer round.

Be confident, yet humble. Confident and concise = formidable.

Most answers should be one sentence, some can be two sentences. Limit yourself to only 2–3 longer replies throughout the interview.

Interesting problem. Ideally, unique or novel. Otherwise, a new insight or approach.

Market size and dynamics. A small but rapidly growing market is always compelling.