Best SQL Interview Practice Platforms (2026)

July 3, 2026(Last edited on: October 24, 2026)By Beyz Editorial Team

TL;DR

If you’re preparing for SQL interviews, pair a realistic question bank with light simulation and a simple review loop. DataLemur offers curated SQL prompts labeled by well‑known companies, including examples like “Tweets’ Rolling Averages” and “Median Google Search Frequency” DataLemur. StrataScratch adds breadth (1,000+ questions), AI‑powered timed mock interviews with feedback, and free SQL learning paths StrataScratch. Build company‑targeted lists from Interview Question Bank (free, updated daily) IQB. If you want a coaching layer, Beyz publishes real‑time answering hints, a coding assistant, role‑tailored interview cheat sheets, and a practice mode that uses the same context as interview mode Beyz AI.

Direct answer: the best platform depends on your gap

Need focused SQL interview reps? Start with DataLemur for curated, interview‑style questions tied to recognizable companies DataLemur.
Want breadth, structured learning, and timed mocks? Choose StrataScratch for 1,000+ questions, AI mock interviews with detailed feedback, and free SQL paths StrataScratch.
Targeting specific companies? Pull a mini set from IQB’s free, daily‑updated catalog, organized by company and position IQB.
Want help with narrative and structure? Layer Beyz’s real‑time answering hints, coding assistant, role‑tailored cheat sheets, and practice mode that mirrors interview context Beyz AI.

What SQL interviews actually test

Most interviews check whether you can read a schema, set the grain, choose joins and filters that match that grain, aggregate correctly, use window functions when they simplify logic, and explain your plan and trade‑offs out loud. Build your stack to cover those skills: realistic prompts, timed rehearsal, and a quick way to review patterns you’ve missed.

Platform breakdowns

DataLemur — Curated SQL interview drills

DataLemur is an interactive platform to practice SQL and data interview questions. Problems are labeled by company and include patterns that frequently show up in interviews (e.g., “Tweets’ Rolling Averages” and “Median Google Search Frequency”) DataLemur.

Strengths: concise, interview‑style prompts tied to recognizable companies DataLemur.
Best if: you want focused SQL‑first practice that builds pattern recognition.
Tip: after each solve, write a four‑bullet explanation you can speak: goal/grain, joins/filters, aggregation/window logic, and a quick validation step.

StrataScratch — Breadth, realism, and timed mocks

StrataScratch spans SQL, Python, ML concepts, and AI‑era interview prep. The site highlights 1,000+ real coding and concept questions; AI‑powered mock interviews for Data Scientist/ML/AI roles with timed sessions and detailed feedback; and free SQL/Python learning paths (6 modules, 36 lessons, 160+ questions each). It also offers cloud‑hosted Data Labs with take‑home‑style projects (no local setup) StrataScratch.

Strengths: large SQL catalog; role‑targeted AI mock interviews with feedback; structured, free SQL path from foundations through window functions; and cloud notebooks for realistic projects StrataScratch.
Best if: you want both practice depth and simulation (timed interviews plus project‑style work).
Tip: state the desired grain before you type; verify row counts and null behavior; summarize results like a mini analysis.

Interview Question Bank (IQB) — Aim practice by company/role

IQB presents a daily‑updated repository of interview questions organized by company and position. The site emphasizes “Totally FREE,” “Instant Access,” and the ability to browse and download question sheets once you sign up IQB. Use it to bias your weekly set toward target firms.

Strengths: company‑specific sets with frequent (daily) updates and downloadable sheets after signup IQB.
Best if: you know your target pipeline and want prompts that match that flavor.

Beyz AI — A coaching layer on top of your practice

Beyz is an AI interview assistant. The site highlights real‑time answering hints tailored to your interview context, an AI coding assistant that can break down logic and analyze time/space complexity, a practice mode that uses the same context as interview mode, and role‑tailored interview cheat sheets Beyz AI. Beyz also publishes a desktop app that floats over any meeting or coding screen and is advertised as invisible to Zoom, Meet, Teams, and screen recorders on macOS and Windows Beyz AI.

Real‑time answering hints for live interviews Beyz AI.
Coding assistant for reasoning and complexity analysis Beyz AI.
Practice mode with the same context as interview mode Beyz AI.
Role‑tailored interview cheat sheets Beyz AI. Note: These are vendor‑published capabilities; confirm fit on the product site.

How to choose in 60 seconds

SQL drills, quick wins: DataLemur DataLemur
Breadth + simulation: StrataScratch StrataScratch
Company targeting: IQB IQB
Narrative and structure: Beyz Beyz AI

A 10‑day practice plan that compounds

45–60 minutes per day; swap DataLemur/StrataScratch based on your pick.

Day 1–2: Foundations. Work through StrataScratch’s free SQL path (Foundations, Aggregations), then one interview‑style problem per day StrataScratch.
Day 3–4: Company flavor. Pull 6–8 prompts aligned to your role from IQB; solve two per day; draft a four‑bullet narrative for each IQB.
Day 5: Timed mock. Run an AI mock interview on StrataScratch and focus on clarifying assumptions, validating counts/nulls, and summarizing takeaways StrataScratch.
Day 6–7: Windows and ranking. On DataLemur, choose problems like rolling averages and ranking‑style prompts; write one alternative approach after each DataLemur.
Day 8: Take‑home flavor. Do a small StrataScratch Data Lab or mini analysis to practice validation and narrative summaries StrataScratch.
Day 9: Review day. Re‑solve two misses cold. If you’re unsure about logic, use a coding assistant to check reasoning and complexity Beyz AI.
Day 10: Dress rehearsal. One medium question end‑to‑end: restate, plan, query, verify counts/nulls, summarize, and note an improvement you’d make with more time. Optional refresher: pattern‑based drills here: SQL Interview Questions: 50 by Pattern + Mini Drills.

What good looks like (self‑check)

Setup: you restate the problem, clarify metric/grain, and identify key tables.
Query: joins and filters match the target grain; windows used when they simplify logic.
Validation: you check row counts, null handling, and date boundaries.
Explanation: you summarize the result and give one alternative approach with a trade‑off.

Limitations and trade‑offs

Catalog vs. simulation: DataLemur is centered on SQL interview drills DataLemur. StrataScratch adds breadth, free structured paths, and AI mock interviews with feedback StrataScratch. Pick based on your gap.
Company targeting: IQB helps you bias practice toward specific firms; always sanity‑check recency and role relevance for your pipeline IQB.
Coaching layer: Beyz publishes real‑time answering hints, a coding assistant, practice mode with the same context, and role‑tailored cheat sheets; it complements (not replaces) SQL study Beyz AI.

FAQ

Do I need a local database to practice?

Not necessarily. You can practice directly in the browser on platforms like StrataScratch and also run timed mock interviews with feedback and free learning paths to shore up fundamentals StrataScratch.

How does a real‑time coach fit into SQL practice?

Use a coach to stay structured under time: prompt yourself to set the grain, state assumptions, and preview expected outputs before running. Beyz highlights real‑time answering hints, a coding assistant, a same‑context practice mode, and role‑tailored cheat sheets Beyz AI.

Next step

Pick one: DataLemur for focused SQL reps DataLemur or StrataScratch for breadth and simulation StrataScratch.
Aim your set: assemble company‑specific prompts in minutes with IQB IQB.
If you want a coaching layer, explore Beyz’s real‑time answering hints, cheat sheets, coding assistant, and practice mode Beyz AI.