Karat Interview Guide 2026: Format, Rules and NextGen AI

Quick answer: a Karat interview is a live technical interview run by a professional Karat Interview Engineer on behalf of the company you applied to. The standard format is 45 to 60 minutes, at least half of it coding in Karat Studio, and the whole session is recorded and sent to the employer. The newer NextGen format is an AI-enabled programming interview in a multi-file codebase where you are expected to use the built-in AI assistant, and only that one. Facts below are from Karat's candidate pages, checked on 8 November 2026.

Candidates often search for Karat with an employer name (for example Citi) because large companies outsource first technical rounds to Karat; your recruiter will tell you which format you have.

The standard Karat interview

Karat's candidate FAQ says interviews last 45 to 60 minutes on a video call with an Interview Engineer, an experienced developer who has completed Karat's screening and more than 20 hours of interviewer coaching. You may be asked about past work or technical topics, and to design, write, debug or review code in Karat Studio, Karat's coding environment. At least half the time is coding.

For multi-part coding problems you cannot move on until the current part fully works. The interviewer gives gradually increasing hints if you are stuck, and asks about time and space complexity. Karat says it tests coding ability more than algorithm knowledge, so a complete working solution matters more than the optimal one.

You may look up documentation during coding if you tell the interviewer. Using generative AI to produce an approach or solution is not allowed.

What the employer receives

The whole call, including video, audio, your code and a full playback, is recorded and shared with the company, together with a structured report from the Interview Engineer. Karat does not send results to candidates; the company contacts you, usually within a few business days.

The NextGen AI-enabled interview

Karat's NextGen candidate guide describes a live, one-to-one interview focused on AI-enabled programming. The structure: a 2–3 minute introduction, 2–3 minutes to learn the IDE and try the AI assistant, about 50 minutes of project-based problems in a multi-file codebase, and a 2–3 minute close. You are not expected to finish every task.

The environment is a web IDE similar to VS Code, with a file explorer, terminal, search, run and debug, and an integrated assistant that can generate code, answer questions about the codebase and give hints. You are expected to use it, but not tools or AI outside the environment. Supported languages are Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript and Ruby, and a demo environment opens up to 48 hours before the interview.

Interviewers watch how you think: narrate your reasoning, check what the assistant produces, and ask clarifying questions. A strong session feels like working with a colleague.

Scheduling, equipment and accommodations

1. Reschedule any time before the interview or up to five days after, up to two times in total across all interviews, including Redo interviews.

2. Use a laptop or desktop (tablets are not supported), Chrome or Firefox, a webcam, a microphone and at least 15 Mbps.

3. If the call ends early because of technical problems, Karat arranges a make-up interview.

4. Ask for accommodations as early as possible at support@karat.io.

How to prepare

1. Practise multi-part problems where each part must fully work before the next, with complexity stated out loud.

2. For NextGen, practise in a VS Code-style editor with an AI assistant on a real multi-file project: ask it to explain code, review its suggestions and test them.

3. Prepare a two-minute overview of your background for the introduction.

Rehearse thinking out loud

CrackInterviewAI is a Windows 10/11 app that turns a spoken, typed or screenshot question into a short answer outline, using your resume and the job description. Use it to rehearse before the assessment; in a live round, use outside help only where the employer allows it. New accounts get 30 free minutes, then international prices start at $3.99 for one hour with no subscription (USD plans, download).

Practise narrating your code

Rehearse explaining approach, trade-offs and complexity out loud with 30 free minutes on Windows.

Download for Windows · Explore features

Frequently asked questions

How long is a Karat interview?

Karat's FAQ says 45 to 60 minutes. The NextGen format has about 50 minutes of problem solving plus a short introduction, environment walkthrough and close.

Can I use AI in a Karat interview?

In the standard format you may look up documentation, but using generative AI to produce an approach or solution is not allowed. In NextGen you are expected to use the integrated AI assistant, but no AI tools outside the interview environment.

Is the Karat interview recorded?

Yes. The video, audio, your code and a full playback are recorded and shared with the employer, along with the Interview Engineer's report.

Does Karat tell me my result?

No. Karat sends results to the employer, and the company contacts you with next steps, usually within a few business days.

Which languages can I use in Karat NextGen?

Karat's NextGen guide lists Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript and Ruby.

Keep exploring

Return to the CrackInterviewAI homepage to download the Windows app, or browse all guides on the interview prep blog.

Karat Interview Guide (2026): Standard and NextGen AI-Enabled Formats