Introduction: The 2026 React Hooks Landscape
Welcome to the future of React development! As we move into 2026, React Hooks have become the universal standard for functional components, with 98% of new React projects adopting hooks-first architectures. For freshers entering the job market, mastering hooks isn't just an advantage—it's an absolute requirement. This comprehensive guide covers 50+ essential hooks interview questions with detailed explanations, practical examples, and 2026-specific insights.
Section 1: Foundational Hooks (useState, useEffect, useContext)
1. What are React Hooks and why were they introduced?
Expected Answer:
"Hooks are functions that let you 'hook into' React state and lifecycle features from function components. They were introduced in React 16.8 to solve several problems:
Reusing stateful logic without complicated patterns like HOCs or render props
Simplifying complex components that became hard to understand with lifecycle methods
Reducing the class-component boilerplate and making React more accessible
Enabling better code organization by separating concerns based on what pieces are related
Hooks represent a fundamental shift from object-oriented to functional programming patterns in React."
2. Explain the useState hook with examples.
Expected Answer:
"The useState hook adds state to functional components. It returns an array with two elements: the current state value and a function to update it."
// Basic usage function Counter() { const [count, setCount] = useState(0); return ( <div> <p>You clicked {count} times</p> <button onClick={() => setCount(count + 1)}> Click me </button> </div> ); } // Complex state with objects function UserProfile() { const [user, setUser] = useState({ name: '', email: '', age: 0 }); // Update specific property const updateName = (name) => { setUser(prev => ({ ...prev, name })); }; return <div>{user.name}</div>; }
Key Points for 2026:
Lazy initialization:
useState(() => expensiveComputation())Functional updates: Always use when new state depends on previous state
Batch updates: React batches multiple
setStatecalls in event handlers
3. What is the useEffect hook and how does it work?
Expected Answer:
"useEffect lets you perform side effects in function components. It serves the combined purpose of componentDidMount, componentDidUpdate, and componentWillUnmount."
// Three variations of useEffect // 1. Run on every render useEffect(() => { console.log('Runs after every render'); }); // 2. Run only on mount and unmount useEffect(() => { console.log('Runs once on mount'); // Cleanup function (runs on unmount) return () => { console.log('Cleanup on unmount'); }; }, []); // Empty dependency array // 3. Run when dependencies change useEffect(() => { console.log('Runs when userId changes'); fetchUserData(userId); }, [userId]); // Dependency array
2026 Advanced Insight:
"With React 19+, the dependency array is more intelligent. The React compiler can sometimes automatically detect dependencies, but it's still best practice to explicitly declare them."
4. Explain the useContext hook with a real example.
Expected Answer:
"useContext lets you subscribe to React context without introducing nesting. It's React's built-in solution for prop drilling."
// 1. Create Context const ThemeContext = createContext('light'); // 2. Provide Context function App() { return ( <ThemeContext.Provider value="dark"> <Toolbar /> </ThemeContext.Provider> ); } // 3. Consume Context function Toolbar() { const theme = useContext(ThemeContext); return <div>Current theme: {theme}</div>; } // Practical example: User Authentication const AuthContext = createContext(null); function AuthProvider({ children }) { const [user, setUser] = useState(null); const login = (userData) => setUser(userData); const logout = () => setUser(null); return ( <AuthContext.Provider value={{ user, login, logout }}> {children} </AuthContext.Provider> ); } function UserProfile() { const { user } = useContext(AuthContext); if (!user) return <div>Please login</div>; return <div>Welcome, {user.name}!</div>; }
Section 2: Performance Hooks (useMemo, useCallback, useRef)
5. What is useMemo and when should you use it?
Expected Answer:
"useMemo memoizes expensive computations so they only recompute when dependencies change."
function ExpensiveComponent({ items, filter }) { // Without useMemo - recalculates on every render // const filteredItems = items.filter(item => // item.name.includes(filter) // ); // With useMemo - only recalculates when items or filter changes const filteredItems = useMemo(() => { console.log('Filtering items...'); return items.filter(item => item.name.includes(filter)); }, [items, filter]); return <div>{filteredItems.length} items found</div>; }
When to use useMemo in 2026:
Expensive calculations that take noticeable time
Reference equality for objects passed to child components
Preventing re-renders when props haven't meaningfully changed
Important: "Don't overuse useMemo. In 2026, React's compiler handles many optimizations automatically."
6. Explain useCallback with examples.
Expected Answer:
"useCallback returns a memoized callback function that only changes when dependencies change."
function ParentComponent() { const [count, setCount] = useState(0); // Without useCallback - new function on every render // const handleClick = () => { // console.log('Clicked!'); // }; // With useCallback - same function unless dependencies change const handleClick = useCallback(() => { console.log(`Clicked ${count} times`); }, [count]); // Only changes when count changes return <ChildComponent onClick={handleClick} />; } const ChildComponent = React.memo(({ onClick }) => { console.log('Child rendered'); return <button onClick={onClick}>Click me</button>; });
Common Mistake Freshers Make:
// WRONG: Empty dependency array but uses state const handleClick = useCallback(() => { console.log(count); // Will always show initial count }, []); // ❌ // CORRECT: Include dependencies const handleClick = useCallback(() => { console.log(count); }, [count]); // ✅
7. What is useRef and how is it different from state?
Expected Answer:
"useRef returns a mutable ref object whose .current property is initialized to the passed argument. The key differences from state:
Mutating
.currentdoesn't cause re-rendersRef persists across renders (like instance variables in classes)
Ref is mutable, state is immutable through setter functions"
function RefExample() { // 1. Accessing DOM elements const inputRef = useRef(null); const focusInput = () => { inputRef.current.focus(); }; // 2. Storing previous values const [count, setCount] = useState(0); const prevCountRef = useRef(); useEffect(() => { prevCountRef.current = count; }); const prevCount = prevCountRef.current; // 3. Storing mutable values without re-renders const intervalRef = useRef(); useEffect(() => { intervalRef.current = setInterval(() => { console.log('Tick'); }, 1000); return () => clearInterval(intervalRef.current); }, []); return ( <div> <input ref={inputRef} type="text" /> <button onClick={focusInput}>Focus Input</button> <p>Current: {count}, Previous: {prevCount}</p> </div> ); }
Section 3: Advanced Built-in Hooks
8. Explain useReducer with a practical example.
Expected Answer:
"useReducer is an alternative to useState for managing complex state logic. It's inspired by Redux pattern."
// Reducer function function todoReducer(state, action) { switch (action.type) { case 'ADD_TODO': return [...state, { id: Date.now(), text: action.payload, completed: false }]; case 'TOGGLE_TODO': return state.map(todo => todo.id === action.payload ? { ...todo, completed: !todo.completed } : todo ); case 'DELETE_TODO': return state.filter(todo => todo.id !== action.payload); default: return state; } } function TodoApp() { const [todos, dispatch] = useReducer(todoReducer, []); const [input, setInput] = useState(''); const addTodo = () => { if (input.trim()) { dispatch({ type: 'ADD_TODO', payload: input }); setInput(''); } }; return ( <div> <input value={input} onChange={(e) => setInput(e.target.value)} placeholder="Add todo" /> <button onClick={addTodo}>Add</button> <ul> {todos.map(todo => ( <li key={todo.id}> <span style={{ textDecoration: todo.completed ? 'line-through' : 'none' }}> {todo.text} </span> <button onClick={() => dispatch({ type: 'TOGGLE_TODO', payload: todo.id }) }> Toggle </button> <button onClick={() => dispatch({ type: 'DELETE_TODO', payload: todo.id }) }> Delete </button> </li> ))} </ul> </div> ); }
9. What is useLayoutEffect and when would you use it?
Expected Answer:
"useLayoutEffect is similar to useEffect, but it fires synchronously after all DOM mutations but before the browser paints. This makes it useful for:
Measuring DOM elements before paint
Animations that need to be synchronized with layout
DOM mutations that should be visible immediately"
function Tooltip({ text, children }) { const ref = useRef(null); const [position, setPosition] = useState({ top: 0, left: 0 }); useLayoutEffect(() => { // Measure after DOM is updated but before paint if (ref.current) { const rect = ref.current.getBoundingClientRect(); setPosition({ top: rect.top - 30, // Position above element left: rect.left }); } }, [text]); // Re-measure when text changes return ( <> <span ref={ref}>{children}</span> {text && ( <div className="tooltip" style={{ position: 'fixed', top: `${position.top}px`, left: `${position.left}px` }} > {text} </div> )} </> ); }
Key Difference:
useEffect: Asynchronous, runs after paintuseLayoutEffect: Synchronous, runs before paint
10. Explain useImperativeHandle with example.
Expected Answer:
"useImperativeHandle customizes the instance value that's exposed when using ref on a component. It's rarely needed but useful for exposing specific methods to parent components."
// Child Component const FancyInput = React.forwardRef((props, ref) => { const inputRef = useRef(); // Expose only these methods to parent useImperativeHandle(ref, () => ({ focus: () => { inputRef.current.focus(); }, clear: () => { inputRef.current.value = ''; }, getValue: () => { return inputRef.current.value; } })); return <input ref={inputRef} {...props} />; }); // Parent Component function Parent() { const inputRef = useRef(); const handleClick = () => { inputRef.current.focus(); // Works inputRef.current.clear(); // Works // inputRef.current.value = 'test'; // ❌ Not exposed }; return ( <div> <FancyInput ref={inputRef} /> <button onClick={handleClick}>Focus and Clear</button> </div> ); }
Section 4: Custom Hooks (The Game Changer)
11. What are custom hooks and how do you create one?
Expected Answer:
"Custom hooks are JavaScript functions that use other hooks. They let you extract component logic into reusable functions."
// Custom hook: useLocalStorage function useLocalStorage(key, initialValue) { // Get from localStorage or use initial value const [storedValue, setStoredValue] = useState(() => { try { const item = window.localStorage.getItem(key); return item ? JSON.parse(item) : initialValue; } catch (error) { console.error(error); return initialValue; } }); // Update localStorage when value changes const setValue = useCallback((value) => { try { const valueToStore = value instanceof Function ? value(storedValue) : value; setStoredValue(valueToStore); window.localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify(valueToStore)); } catch (error) { console.error(error); } }, [key, storedValue]); return [storedValue, setValue]; } // Usage function UserPreferences() { const [theme, setTheme] = useLocalStorage('theme', 'light'); const [notifications, setNotifications] = useLocalStorage('notifications', true); return ( <div> <select value={theme} onChange={(e) => setTheme(e.target.value)}> <option value="light">Light</option> <option value="dark">Dark</option> </select> <label> <input type="checkbox" checked={notifications} onChange={(e) => setNotifications(e.target.checked)} /> Enable Notifications </label> </div> ); }
12. Create a custom hook for fetching data.
Expected Answer:
"Here's a production-ready useFetch hook with error handling, loading states, and abort capability:"
function useFetch(url, options = {}) { const [data, setData] = useState(null); const [error, setError] = useState(null); const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true); const abortControllerRef = useRef(null); const fetchData = useCallback(async () => { if (abortControllerRef.current) { abortControllerRef.current.abort(); } abortControllerRef.current = new AbortController(); setLoading(true); setError(null); try { const response = await fetch(url, { ...options, signal: abortControllerRef.current.signal }); if (!response.ok) { throw new Error(`HTTP error! status: ${response.status}`); } const result = await response.json(); setData(result); } catch (err) { if (err.name !== 'AbortError') { setError(err.message); } } finally { setLoading(false); } }, [url, options]); useEffect(() => { fetchData(); return () => { if (abortControllerRef.current) { abortControllerRef.current.abort(); } }; }, [fetchData]); const refetch = useCallback(() => { fetchData(); }, [fetchData]); return { data, error, loading, refetch }; } // Usage function UserProfile({ userId }) { const { data: user, loading, error } = useFetch( `https://api.example.com/users/${userId}` ); if (loading) return <div>Loading...</div>; if (error) return <div>Error: {error}</div>; return ( <div> <h1>{user.name}</h1> <p>{user.email}</p> </div> ); }
13. Create a custom hook for detecting clicks outside an element.
Expected Answer:
"Here's a useClickOutside hook for closing modals, dropdowns, or menus:"
function useClickOutside(ref, callback) { useEffect(() => { const handleClickOutside = (event) => { if (ref.current && !ref.current.contains(event.target)) { callback(); } }; // Use capture phase to catch events before they bubble document.addEventListener('mousedown', handleClickOutside, true); document.addEventListener('touchstart', handleClickOutside, true); return () => { document.removeEventListener('mousedown', handleClickOutside, true); document.removeEventListener('touchstart', handleClickOutside, true); }; }, [ref, callback]); } // Usage function Dropdown() { const [isOpen, setIsOpen] = useState(false); const dropdownRef = useRef(null); useClickOutside(dropdownRef, () => { if (isOpen) setIsOpen(false); }); return ( <div ref={dropdownRef}> <button onClick={() => setIsOpen(!isOpen)}> Menu </button> {isOpen && ( <div className="dropdown-menu"> <a href="#">Option 1</a> <a href="#">Option 2</a> <a href="#">Option 3</a> </div> )} </div> ); }
Section 5: Common Hook Patterns & Best Practices
14. What are the Rules of Hooks?
Expected Answer:
"1. Only Call Hooks at the Top Level: Don't call hooks inside loops, conditions, or nested functions
2. Only Call Hooks from React Functions: Call hooks from React function components or custom hooks
3. Hook Names Must Start with 'use': Custom hooks must start with 'use' so React can check rules"
// ✅ CORRECT function Component() { const [state, setState] = useState(0); useEffect(() => { /* ... */ }); return <div>{state}</div>; } // ❌ WRONG - Hook in condition function Component({ condition }) { if (condition) { const [state, setState] = useState(0); // ❌ } return <div>Hello</div>; } // ❌ WRONG - Hook in loop function Component() { for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) { useEffect(() => { /* ... */ }); // ❌ } return <div>Hello</div>; }
15. How do you handle async operations in useEffect?
Expected Answer:
"You need to handle cleanup to prevent memory leaks and state updates on unmounted components."
function UserData({ userId }) { const [user, setUser] = useState(null); const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true); useEffect(() => { let isMounted = true; const fetchUser = async () => { try { const response = await fetch(`/api/users/${userId}`); const data = await response.json(); if (isMounted) { setUser(data); setLoading(false); } } catch (error) { if (isMounted) { console.error('Failed to fetch user:', error); setLoading(false); } } }; fetchUser(); return () => { isMounted = false; }; }, [userId]); if (loading) return <div>Loading...</div>; return <div>{user?.name}</div>; }
16. How to optimize performance with hooks?
Expected Answer:
"1. Memoize expensive calculations with useMemo
2. Memoize callbacks with useCallback when passing to optimized children
3. Use React.memo for component memoization
4. Lazy load components with React.lazy and Suspense
5. Split effects for independent logic
6. Batch state updates when possible"
function OptimizedComponent({ items, filter, onSelect }) { // 1. Memoize filtered items const filteredItems = useMemo(() => { return items.filter(item => item.includes(filter)); }, [items, filter]); // 2. Memoize callback const handleSelect = useCallback((item) => { onSelect(item); }, [onSelect]); // 3. Split effects for independent concerns useEffect(() => { // Analytics effect trackAnalytics(filter); }, [filter]); useEffect(() => { // Data fetching effect fetchRelatedData(filter); }, [filter]); return ( <MemoizedChild items={filteredItems} onSelect={handleSelect} /> ); } const MemoizedChild = React.memo(function Child({ items, onSelect }) { return ( <ul> {items.map(item => ( <li key={item} onClick={() => onSelect(item)}> {item} </li> ))} </ul> ); });
Section 6: Advanced Hook Concepts
17. What is the difference between useMemo and useCallback?
Expected Answer:
"useMemo memoizes a value, while useCallback memoizes a function.
// useMemo - returns a memoized VALUE const expensiveValue = useMemo(() => { return computeExpensiveValue(a, b); }, [a, b]); // useCallback - returns a memoized FUNCTION const memoizedCallback = useCallback(() => { doSomething(a, b); }, [a, b]); // Under the hood, useCallback is essentially: const useCallback = (fn, deps) => { return useMemo(() => fn, deps); };
When to use each:
useMemo: When you have an expensive calculationuseCallback: When you need to maintain referential equality of functions
18. How to handle forms with hooks?
Expected Answer:
"Here's a complete form handling solution with validation:"
function useForm(initialValues, validate) { const [values, setValues] = useState(initialValues); const [errors, setErrors] = useState({}); const [touched, setTouched] = useState({}); const handleChange = useCallback((e) => { const { name, value, type, checked } = e.target; setValues(prev => ({ ...prev, [name]: type === 'checkbox' ? checked : value })); }, []); const handleBlur = useCallback((e) => { const { name } = e.target; setTouched(prev => ({ ...prev, [name]: true })); // Validate on blur if (validate) { const validationErrors = validate(values); setErrors(validationErrors); } }, [values, validate]); const handleSubmit = useCallback((onSubmit) => (e) => { e.preventDefault(); // Mark all fields as touched const allTouched = Object.keys(values).reduce((acc, key) => { acc[key] = true; return acc; }, {}); setTouched(allTouched); // Validate if (validate) { const validationErrors = validate(values); setErrors(validationErrors); if (Object.keys(validationErrors).length === 0) { onSubmit(values); } } else { onSubmit(values); } }, [values, validate]); const resetForm = useCallback(() => { setValues(initialValues); setErrors({}); setTouched({}); }, [initialValues]); return { values, errors, touched, handleChange, handleBlur, handleSubmit, resetForm, setValues }; } // Usage function LoginForm() { const validate = (values) => { const errors = {}; if (!values.email) errors.email = 'Email is required'; if (!values.password) errors.password = 'Password is required'; return errors; }; const { values, errors, touched, handleChange, handleBlur, handleSubmit } = useForm({ email: '', password: '' }, validate); const onSubmit = (data) => { console.log('Form submitted:', data); }; return ( <form onSubmit={handleSubmit(onSubmit)}> <div> <input type="email" name="email" value={values.email} onChange={handleChange} onBlur={handleBlur} placeholder="Email" /> {touched.email && errors.email && ( <span style={{ color: 'red' }}>{errors.email}</span> )} </div> <div> <input type="password" name="password" value={values.password} onChange={handleChange} onBlur={handleBlur} placeholder="Password" /> {touched.password && errors.password && ( <span style={{ color: 'red' }}>{errors.password}</span> )} </div> <button type="submit">Login</button> </form> ); }
19. How to create a custom hook for dark/light theme?
Expected Answer:
"Here's a complete theme hook with system preference detection:"
function useTheme() { const [theme, setTheme] = useState(() => { // Check localStorage first const savedTheme = localStorage.getItem('theme'); if (savedTheme) return savedTheme; // Then check system preference if (window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').matches) { return 'dark'; } return 'light'; }); const toggleTheme = useCallback(() => { setTheme(prev => prev === 'light' ? 'dark' : 'light'); }, []); // Apply theme to document useEffect(() => { const root = document.documentElement; root.setAttribute('data-theme', theme); localStorage.setItem('theme', theme); }, [theme]); // Listen for system theme changes useEffect(() => { const mediaQuery = window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)'); const handleChange = (e) => { // Only change if user hasn't set a preference if (!localStorage.getItem('theme')) { setTheme(e.matches ? 'dark' : 'light'); } }; mediaQuery.addEventListener('change', handleChange); return () => mediaQuery.removeEventListener('change', handleChange); }, []); return { theme, toggleTheme, isDark: theme === 'dark' }; } // Usage function App() { const { theme, toggleTheme } = useTheme(); return ( <div className={`app ${theme}`}> <button onClick={toggleTheme}> Switch to {theme === 'light' ? 'Dark' : 'Light'} Mode </button> {/* Rest of your app */} </div> ); }
Section 7: 2026-Specific Hook Questions
20. What are the new hooks introduced in React 19+?
Expected Answer (2026 Context):
"React 19 introduced several new hooks:
usehook: For reading resources like promises or contextuseActionState: For handling form submissions with pending statesuseOptimistic: For optimistic UI updatesuseFormStatus: For form status information"
// use hook example function UserProfile({ userId }) { const user = use(fetchUser(userId)); // Can read promises directly return ( <div> <h1>{user.name}</h1> <p>{user.email}</p> </div> ); } // useOptimistic hook example function MessageList({ messages, sendMessage }) { const [optimisticMessages, addOptimisticMessage] = useOptimistic( messages, (state, newMessage) => [...state, { text: newMessage, sending: true }] ); async function formAction(formData) { const message = formData.get('message'); addOptimisticMessage(message); await sendMessage(message); } return ( <> {optimisticMessages.map((msg, index) => ( <div key={index}> {msg.text} {msg.sending && ' (Sending...)'} </div> ))} <form action={formAction}> <input type="text" name="message" /> <button type="submit">Send</button> </form> </> ); }
21. How do hooks work with Concurrent Features in React 18+?
Expected Answer:
"With React 18's concurrent features, hooks need to be prepared for:
Automatic batching of state updates
Transition API for non-urgent updates
Suspense for data fetching
function SearchComponent() { const [query, setQuery] = useState(''); const [results, setResults] = useState([]); const [isPending, startTransition] = useTransition(); const handleSearch = (newQuery) => { // Urgent update setQuery(newQuery); // Non-urgent update wrapped in transition startTransition(() => { fetchResults(newQuery).then(setResults); }); }; return ( <div> <input value={query} onChange={(e) => handleSearch(e.target.value)} /> {isPending && <span>Searching...</span>} <Suspense fallback={<div>Loading results...</div>}> <ResultsList results={results} /> </Suspense> </div> ); }
Section 8: Quick-Fire Questions (22-50)
22. What is the dependency array in useEffect?
"An array of values that the effect depends on. If any value changes between renders, the effect re-runs."
23. Can you call hooks inside loops?
"No, it violates the Rules of Hooks."
24. How to fetch data on component mount?
"Use useEffect with empty dependency array."
25. What's wrong with this code?
useEffect(async () => { const data = await fetchData(); setData(data); }, []);
"useEffect shouldn't return a promise. Use an async function inside."
26. How to update state based on previous state?
"Use the functional update pattern: setCount(prev => prev + 1)"
27. Can you use hooks in class components?
"No, hooks only work in function components or custom hooks."
28. How to avoid infinite loops in useEffect?
"Ensure dependency array includes all values used in the effect."
29. What does useEffect(() => {}, []) do?
"Runs once on mount, cleanup on unmount."
30. How to share logic between components?
"Extract it into a custom hook."
31. What is prop drilling and how to avoid it?
"Passing props through multiple levels. Avoid with Context API or state management."
32. How to force a component to re-render?
"Update its state or props. For emergency: useReducer with dummy state."
33. What is the difference between useMemo and React.memo?
"useMemo memoizes values, React.memo memoizes components."
34. How to handle errors in hooks?
"Use try/catch in useEffect or Error Boundaries."
35. Can you use multiple effects in one component?
"Yes, split logic into multiple useEffect calls."
36. How to update context value?
"Provide a value that includes both state and updater function."
37. What is the purpose of useRef in forms?
"To access DOM elements directly (like focusing input)."
38. How to debounce with hooks?
"Use useEffect with setTimeout and cleanup."
39. What is the stale closure problem?
"When a callback captures old state/props. Fix with dependency array or refs."
40. How to test custom hooks?
"Use @testing-library/react-hooks or test through components."
41. Can hooks replace Redux?
"For many cases, yes with useReducer + Context, but Redux has its place."
42. How to persist state to localStorage?
"Custom hook that syncs state with localStorage."
43. What is useDebugValue?
"Displays custom labels for custom hooks in React DevTools."
44. How to handle window resize with hooks?
"useEffect that adds/removes resize listener."
45. What is the difference between useCallback and useMemo?
"useCallback(fn, deps) = useMemo(() => fn, deps)"
46. How to implement infinite scroll with hooks?
"Intersection Observer + useEffect + useRef."
47. Can you conditionally call hooks?
"No, hooks must be called unconditionally."
48. How to cancel a fetch request with hooks?
"AbortController in useEffect cleanup."
49. What is the purpose of useImperativeHandle?
"Customize what's exposed when using ref on a component."
50. How to create a custom hook that uses other custom hooks?
"Yes, custom hooks can compose other hooks."
Conclusion: Mastering Hooks in 2026
Key Takeaways for Freshers:
Master the fundamentals:
useState,useEffect,useContextare 80% of daily useUnderstand performance hooks: Know when to use
useMemoanduseCallbackPractice custom hooks: This is where you demonstrate advanced skills
Follow the rules: Never break the Rules of Hooks
Stay updated: React evolves quickly—know the latest features
Common Interview Expectations:
For freshers in 2026, interviewers expect:
Solid understanding of basic hooks
Ability to identify hook-related bugs
Practical knowledge of common patterns
Awareness of performance implications
Clean, readable code with proper dependencies
Final Preparation Tips:
Build projects using only functional components and hooks
Practice recreating common UI patterns with hooks
Study popular custom hooks from open source
Understand the "why" behind hook rules
Stay curious about upcoming React features
Remember: In 2026, hooks aren't just a React feature—they're the standard way of thinking about React components. Master them, and you'll be well-prepared for the modern React ecosystem.