Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

a16z Programming Test

hackerrank.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 121 posts

Re: a16z Programming Test

#81

Post by mathattack »

numair wrote: post #34

This doesn't quite make sense to me. Or, it makes sense, but not for the reasons presented on the surface. If you're Andreesen Horowitz, you have access to a nearly-unlimited supply of capital. You also have incredible access to information and dealflow throughout the industry. In situations in which you are not capital constrained, the most efficient way to establish a workforce is to acquire it from somewhere else;…

Remember that VCs have money to spend on acquisitions for their investors, not for themselves. It's very rare to see VCs acquire talent for themselves. It's usually personal network based hiring. What makes this unique is that it's a talent test first - groundbreaking in an industry that normally hires based on personal connections.

The real question is "What problems will these folks be solving?"

Re: a16z Programming Test

#82

Post by thomaslangston »

The test's restriction on consulting material from websites and books, excluding the official reference documentation boggles my mind. Unofficial 3rd party documentation is standard kit for a developer, especially when using community driven programming languages.

Re: a16z Programming Test

#83

Post by cflee »

pjreddie wrote: post #31
rmmw wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can also email test-help AT a16z DOT com and we can send you a direct link (where you won't need to receive credentials by phone)

I love that people do this. Do you really thing someone is going to write a web scraper and NOT include obvious things like converting AT -> @ and DOT com -> .com? Also, who even worries about spam any more? I haven't seen actual spam in my inbox in years.

Should we just go "AT AT AT" or something instead? Or perhaps adapt from Mandarin speakers, who literally call the @ sign "the little mouse" ;)

Spam remains an issue if for whatever reason you're still using rulesets/blacklists/greylisting and the like, instead of Bayesian filtering.

Re: a16z Programming Test

#84

Post by sireat »

golergka wrote: post #61
rdl wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seems like the obvious (if dishonest) thing would be to use a throwaway phone # to get the test, then spend a day or so solving it, then type it in (with plausible delays) using your real number a day later. Assuming the test is roughly the same each time (even if details are different, it's probably of the same general class). In grading, the results of 6-8h of work entered in 2h would look more impressive than 3h o…

Why would you want to appear better then you are at the interview? You'll get found out eventually later, and this will end up just spending your time.

There are plenty of developers/programmers who do not ace tests with rigid constraints, but are quite competent in a more relaxed setting.

That is they are not the 1% that the all hirers, but they are maybe top 20% and that is actually what most jobs require no matter the delusions of hiring managers.

Granted this particular job might be an exception but I doubt it.

Re: a16z Programming Test

#85

Post by ironchef »

graycat wrote: post #74
cnaut wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably to build internal tools. A lot of VCs firms are trying to apply more data to their investment decisions and that requires internal tools to handle it all. Also makes sense given the qualifications they are asking for.

A better way: Actually read and understand the submissions from the entrepreneurs!

Are you suggesting that a16z doesn't do this? Or that their firm is not doing well? It would seem to me that their limited track record is ... more than adequate.

Similarly, I would infer that your suggestion is ignorant that they have interest in the companies post-funding (as cnaut suggests "A lot of VCs firms are trying to apply more data to their investment decisions and that requires internal tools to handle it all"... which I think would suggest that they would want to examine the results of said decisions as well (which goes beyond simply the submission process)).

Re: a16z Programming Test

#86

Post by jheriko »

danielbarla wrote: post #70
jheriko wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

one of the best programmers i know refuses to continue with a job application if there is a programming test... its a bit eccentric but valid given that his experience and past achievements say more than a programming test ever could.

I have come across this opinion as well from some excellent developers, but I can't say that I agree with it. All in all, a well-executed* technical test can be an excellent filter and basis for further interviews. * By well-executed, I mean - relatively language agnostic, lacking in trick questions and meaningless trivia, and being open to multiple good answers. The intention is to not only check basic ability to so…

this is something i wonder. are tests to see the approach to problem solving? of the few tests i've had one was simply testing my knowledge of the C++ and STL specifications - there was no programming skill involved at all - I could have cheated if I had a physical copy of the spec handy even.

this kind of test is not valuable. the other tests i've done though - even though incredibly easy i think would be more useful for seeing how i approach problem solving in general...

Re: a16z Programming Test

#87

Post by jheriko »

ukd1 wrote: post #78
jheriko wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

one of the best programmers i know refuses to continue with a job application if there is a programming test... its a bit eccentric but valid given that his experience and past achievements say more than a programming test ever could.

Why? I've had that in interviews before when asking people to code. I find it strange (not just because we pre-warn about the agenda) that someone applying to program won't...program? I reasoning I've had has been mainly : "it's too trivial" "I've written gems" "I'm famous"

i don't do the same. i'll take the test because its just another opportunity to prove myself.

Re: a16z Programming Test

#88

Post by jheriko »

ukd1 wrote: post #79
danielbarla wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have come across this opinion as well from some excellent developers, but I can't say that I agree with it. All in all, a well-executed* technical test can be an excellent filter and basis for further interviews. * By well-executed, I mean - relatively language agnostic, lacking in trick questions and meaningless trivia, and being open to multiple good answers. The intention is to not only check basic ability to so…

Agreed re discrepancies: I've had CS Majors / Masters fail, yet my self-taught CEO passes. This amazes me. [edit; the cs majors amaze me]

why does it amaze you? my experience of 'self taught' individuals in the general case is that they have a rich understanding of the subject by necessity.

conversely my experience of education is that it trains you to solve education style problems - which are essentially absent from the real world - where being able to invent and implement a slightly broken solution in an hour with 30 seconds notice is much more valuable than being able to solve a problem you know about far in advance and are given loads of information and guidance to help in preparation for it.

on the other hand if i wanted someone to do research then a CS major might be a better choice. :)

Re: a16z Programming Test

#89

Post by ukd1 »

jheriko wrote: post #88
ukd1 wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed re discrepancies: I've had CS Majors / Masters fail, yet my self-taught CEO passes. This amazes me. [edit; the cs majors amaze me]

why does it amaze you? my experience of 'self taught' individuals in the general case is that they have a rich understanding of the subject by necessity. conversely my experience of education is that it trains you to solve education style problems - which are essentially absent from the real world - where being able to invent and implement a slightly broken solution in an hour with 30 seconds notice is much more valu…

I should have been clearer; it doesn't amaze me someone self taught could do it, but it does that CS major couldn't.

Re: a16z Programming Test

#90

Post by pskittle »

bulte-rs wrote: post #64
pskittle wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not to sound offensive , but you're not A16z. 1. > No one is rich enough to buy people , unless well if you're talking about criminals. 2.Most good engineers will tell you , that money is NOT the primary motivator for them to build great products.( So aqui-hiring won't work) 3. As for Hackerrank--> that's what they're supposed to do - find people with good technical skills.

Perhaps you're not technically buying a human being; but everyone's allegiance has a price. I'll retract my statement if someone shows me real evidence that they've turned down a 500 (ok, perhaps 50 should be enough) million dollar job offer.

Yes every allegiance has a price , however What you're suggesting from what i understood is that A16z would pay 50 million dollars to a new hire. With them being in the VC business , i think they know that , such amount of money can possibly invested in growing their portfolios.

I don't have any evidence of any engineer being offered such exorbitant salaries , however this gets close.

http://www.businessinsider.com/a-google-programmer-blew-off-...

If you can find a reputed VC firm like A16z , whose looking to do what you propose (please post a link)

Post reply on HN