YC interview readiness checklist
YC interviews are short conversations, not presentations. Check the six practical things your team should have ready, then send the same list to a cofounder to review the gaps together.
Make progress, not a performance
YC says do not rehearse scripts. The strongest preparation is improving the startup, knowing what changed, and speaking candidly about what you learned.
Keep the source open
YC says interviews are ten-minute Zoom conversations. All founders should be present, and interviewers may ask to see what you built.
Read YC’s official interview guide →Frequently asked questions
How should founders prepare for a YC interview?
YC recommends basic preparation rather than scripted rehearsal: describe the company plainly, know current users and metrics, be candid about challenges, have the demo ready, and make sure every founder participates.
Does this tool save our company information?
No. The checklist stores only six true-or-false checkmarks in the browser. A cofounder share link contains those six checkmarks and no company answers, metrics, names, or application text.
Is YC Roaster affiliated with Y Combinator?
No. YC Roaster is an independent free application-feedback tool. Always use Y Combinator’s official interview guide as the source of truth.
YC Roaster is not affiliated with Y Combinator. This checklist does not predict interview invitations or outcomes.