The first step to optimize the critical rendering path is:

1. minimize number of critical resources: eliminate them, defer their download, mark them as async, and so on
2. optimize the order in which the remaining critical resources are loaded: download all critical assets as early as possible to shorten the critical path length.
3. optimize the number of critical bytes to reduce the download time (number of roundtrips)
4. analyze and characterize your critical path: number of resources, bytes, length.

100% Correct Answer

• analyze and characterize your critical path: number of resources, bytes, length.