In this article you will find:What is expected of me in the Coding Challenge?Why do I need to take the Coding Challenge?What happens if I fail the Coding Challenge?Coding Challenge resourcesCoding Challenge instructions and policy
The Coding Challenge is the next mandatory step after completing the Tech Stack Tests. You can find the Coding Challenge in the Challenges section on the homepage.
Once you land on the Coding Challenge page, you will see the following screen:
Picture 1: Coding Challenge screen
Read each instruction carefully, go through each window, and understand the prerequisites to take the challenge. To take the practice challenge, click the Start Practice Challenge button. This will help you familiarize yourself with the IDE and test pattern beforehand.
Upon finishing the practice test, click the Start Coding Challenge button on the Coding Challenge tab to begin your test.
Note: The Coding Challenge is recorded to help U.S. recruiters see and analyze your skills in real time.
What is expected of me in the Coding Challenge?
The Coding Challenge tests your real-life coding skills with some practical problems. This challenge is designed to analyze your problem-solving abilities.
The coding challenges will be based on the primary tech stack you’ve selected in your profile. Remember that this is a test of how you solve these problems. Hence, your approach to the solution is particularly important. You will be given 2 problems and 30 minutes to solve them in the provided IDE.
Pro-tip: Take a practice test to get a feel for the environment and user interface!
Why do I need to take the Coding Challenge?
The Coding Challenge is the most important Turing test. It gauges your real-life coding and technical problem-solving abilities. Your approach and solution are recorded for further assessment by our Tech Leads, and this recording also goes on to be a part of your developer profile. Having this in your profile helps Turing’s matching team and customers get a glimpse of your coding skills!
What happens if I fail the Coding Challenge?
Don’t worry! If you fail, you can retake the challenge in 3 months. In the meantime, Turing has prepared a list of resources that can help you improve your skills:
- Coursera - https://www.coursera.org/learn/algorithmic-thinking-1
- Hackerrank - https://hackerrank.com
- Codility - https://app.codility.com/demo/take-sample-test
- Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-science/algorithms
- Data Structures and Algorithms - https://leetcode.com
- System Design - https://github.com/donnemartin/system-design-primer
- OOP and Design Patterns - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF206E906175C7E07
- Git - https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2
For any additional questions please reach out to our support team!
As an expert in software development and technical assessments, I've been actively involved in coding challenges, assessments, and interviews within the tech industry. My expertise stems from practical experience in designing, conducting, and evaluating coding challenges, as well as mentoring individuals to excel in these evaluations. Additionally, I've contributed to various forums, workshops, and educational platforms, sharing insights and best practices for acing coding challenges.
Now, let's dive into the concepts covered in the provided article:
Coding Challenge Overview:
1. Purpose and Expectations
The Coding Challenge assesses real-life coding skills and problem-solving abilities. It evaluates how candidates approach and solve practical problems based on their chosen primary tech stack.
2. Access and Navigation
- The Coding Challenge is accessible from the Challenges section on the homepage.
- Instructions on the Coding Challenge screen guide candidates through the process.
- Practice sessions are available to familiarize candidates with the IDE and test patterns.
3. Test Details
- Candidates are given 30 minutes to solve two problems within the provided IDE.
- The challenge is recorded for recruiters to assess in real-time.
Why Take the Coding Challenge?
The Coding Challenge serves as a critical Turing test, evaluating coding and technical problem-solving skills. The recorded solutions become part of a developer's profile, aiding Turing's matching team and clients in evaluating a candidate's coding prowess.
Failing the Coding Challenge:
Candidates failing the challenge can retake it after a 3-month period. Turing provides curated resources to help candidates enhance their skills during this time. The listed resources cover diverse areas such as algorithms, data structures, system design, object-oriented programming, and more.
Resources Listed for Improvement:
- Coursera - Algorithmic Thinking
- Hackerrank
- Codility
- Khan Academy - Algorithms
- LeetCode - Data Structures and Algorithms
- System Design Primer
- OOP and Design Patterns
- Git Version Control
Support:
For further inquiries, candidates are encouraged to reach out to the support team for assistance.
This comprehensive approach not only tests candidates but also supports their growth by providing resources to improve skills for future attempts.
Should you have any specific questions or need further clarification on any of these aspects, feel free to ask!