How to Prepare for a Coding Bootcamp

While coding bootcamps are a quick path to the tech industry, getting into one still requires some preparation. In this article, we give you the tips and tricks to survive the intensive training that coding bootcamps represent.

What Is a Coding Bootcamp?

A coding bootcamp is a training school designed to teach students crucial tech skills to get them job-ready for a career in technology. Coding bootcamps offer short, intensive courses that come with rigorous and market-led curricula, useful online resources, and a job training program for the job search.

All of these make coding bootcamps a fantastic way to switch careers or to upskill in tech without having to go back to school for a two- or four-year degree.

Tips to Prepare for a Coding Bootcamp

Because of the quick but intense training that coding bootcamps promise, there’s always the risk that you’ll end up struggling to keep up with the coursework. Below are some tips to keep in mind to better prepare yourself for the coding bootcamp experience.

Look Up the Requirements for the Coding Bootcamp

Different coding bootcamps have different requirements. Some programs are designed for beginners, while others might be geared towards intermediate-level professionals.

Higher-level coding bootcamps often expect potential students to be fluent in specific programming languages. These can include in-demand programming languages like JavaScript, C++, or Python. 

During the application process, students can expect to be tested on their knowledge of these through a technical interview or written test. It is always smart to start your search for the right bootcamp by checking the school’s intended level and its admission requirements. 

Take Part in Coding Bootcamp Prep Courses that Your Prospective Bootcamp Offers

Coding bootcamp prep courses are a great way to know if your prospective bootcamp is right for you. Often, these prep courses already give you a glimpse of what you can expect to learn if you commit to any of the bootcamp’s Immersive courses. 

Coding bootcamp prep courses are usually delivered online, often for free or for a small price. They also typically take weeks to a month to complete and do not have any prerequisites.

Prepare for Your Interview by Researching Bootcamp Interview Questions

To get into a coding bootcamp, you will usually be asked to participate in a technical interview that gauges your familiarity with tech. To prepare, research possible interview questions. The aim is for the interviewer to get a sense of your level and career goals. This will help them assess whether you fit the program or not.  

To research possible interview questions, a Google search might suffice. Alternatively, there are many resources available on YouTube or Reddit. Some coding bootcamps also provide tips to prepare for the interview process.

The Best Coding Bootcamp Prep Courses

Coding bootcamp prep courses are designed to help you get up to speed with the basics before enrolling in a full-time bootcamp program. If you have been learning to code for some time but are not sure about whether a coding bootcamp is the right way to upskill, prep programs can help you make that decision.

Below are the top 10 best coding bootcamp prep programs that can help you prepare and make the most out of your coding bootcamp experience. 

Flatiron School – Free Coding Bootcamp Prep Course

Flatiron School is a renowned bootcamp that offers a multitude of programs, from software engineering to cyber security and product design. Flatiron School’s free coding bootcamp prep course will get you ready to take on any of its immersive programs.

Flatiron School’s prep course comprises three lessons that cover the foundations of computer science. You can choose to take one or all of three lessons: Intro to HTML and CSS, Intro to JavaScript, Intro to Ruby, and Intro to API Integration. 

Taken together, the school’s prep lessons have over 75 hours of content and are a great way to get an insight into the bootcamp’s teaching methods. 

Codesmith – Codesmith Prep

Codesmith is a reputable software engineering bootcamp that has a variety of online programs and in-person courses in New York City and Los Angeles. Codesmith is famous for focusing on the JavaScript programming language. Its programs dwell on full stack engineering, software architecture, and machine learning. 

The Codesmith prep course is a two-week online course designed to help you land a spot at the bootcamp. The curriculum covers JavaScript fundamentals, engineering practices, technical communication, and project building. 

You should also take advantage of the Codesmith Prep CSX – Online Learning Platform. This platform offers multiple coding lectures and challenges that you can access for free at any time.

Hack Reactor – Hack Reactor Prep

Hack Reactor offers over 60 hours of free course content to students who wish to learn how to code. Hack Reactor Prep is a program designed for people with no previous experience in coding and who are, therefore, looking to learn basic programming skills.

The curriculum revolves around the JavaScript programming language and will help you get an overview of what studying software engineering is like.

Hack Reactor has two learning options. You can opt for the free prep course, which involves studying at your pace without real-time support. Alternatively, you can pay a fee of $250 and obtain a structured learning experience with Hack Reactor educators to help you along the way.  

Metis – Metis Admissions Prep

Metis offers a robust introductory course for any tech enthusiast. The Metis Admissions Prep course is designed to help students prepare for the Metis bootcamp and revolves around data science fundamentals. Metis offers this course for free as part of its goal to uplift underrepresented and undiscovered voices in tech. 

The course structure is divided into five modules: linear algebra, calculus, probability, statistics, and Python fundamentals. Along the way, you’ll answer practical exercises and evaluations that will help you assess your level and progress. 

If you finish the prep course and decide to pursue the immersive program, you will be assisted in the next step of the application process. 

Rithm School – Rithm School Remote Prep Course

Rithm School offers a free two-week preparatory course to help students land a place in one of the bootcamp’s full-time bootcamp programs. The curriculum focuses on JavaScript and computer science fundamentals. It also includes four live lectures that can be attended remotely. 

Once you complete the Rithm School prep course, you can sign up for the bootcamp’s immersive programs. The school offers courses in front end development, full stack web development, and single-page applications. The curriculum also covers technologies like React, Node, and Redux. 

Fullstack Academy – Fullstack Academy Bootcamp Prep

Fullstack Academy has campuses in both New York City and San Francisco. Courses can also be attended online, at your own pace. The Fullstack Academy Bootcamp Prep is designed to help students land a place at the renowned coding bootcamp. 

Depending on your availability, you can opt to complete the Fullstack Academy Bootcamp in a week or a month. Either way, you’ll have to pay $199. The curriculum is designed for complete beginners that wish to start their journeys as software engineers or programmers. 

Topics and technologies covered include data types, functions, loops, and a variety of coding languages. 

LearningFuze – LearningFuze Root Prep Class

LearningFuze has an exciting prep course available for any web development enthusiast. The curriculum will take you through technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. In addition, you will cover JS plugins, modules, debugging, and Github workflow. The lessons also come with coding challenges to help you put your acquired skills into practice. 

The LearningFuze root prep course lasts two weeks and costs $95. Throughout the two weeks, you will enjoy remote training and skills assessment. The course requires a minimum of 15 hours of work per week. 

DevLeague – DevLeague Web Development Prep

DevLeague is a Hawaii-based coding bootcamp that offers a fantastic beginner’s course for any web development enthusiast. The curriculum covers programming and web development fundamentals, including a practical overview of CSS, HTML, and JavaScript.

The program costs $735 and is not available online. To enroll, you must be in Honolulu where you can make the most out of the school’s resources and lab spaces. 

General Assembly – General Assembly Dash

General Assembly is one of the longest-running coding bootcamps in the US. Its General Assembly Dash course is a preparatory course designed for aspiring software developers. The course is completely free and available online, allowing you to study at your pace. The curriculum primarily focuses on technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. 

Codeworks – Intro to JavaScript

Codeworks offers a prep course designed for anyone interested in learning JavaScript. The course is free, lasts two weeks, and accessible online. Throughout the program, you will explore different ways of using JavaScript.

Other bootcamp prep programs worth considering include the following:

• App Academy Bootcamp Prep Course
• Learn Academy 3-Day Jumpstart Weekend Bootcamp
• Hackbright Prep

Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?

Coding bootcamps provide up-to-date curricula in an immersive learning environment at a fraction of the time and money it takes to study at a college or university. Additionally, coding bootcamps offer extensive career services that seek to prepare you for the job hunt. All of these make coding bootcamps a worthy investment.

Prep courses can help you get the feel of a particular bootcamp if you are unsure about enrolling. It is highly encouraged to complete a prep course to get an idea of the bootcamp’s style of teaching and choice of specialization. If you want to pursue a career in tech, attending a coding bootcamp can help you kickstart your professional journey.