I'm really struggling to pass coding assessments lately, and it's making me question whether I should consider a different career path. My performances on both take-home and live coding assessments have been disappointing. In my last take-home test, I was told that my solution didn't demonstrate a strong enough understanding of the chosen tech stack. I initially thought 'production-ready' meant a nearly perfect user experience, but it turns out they were looking for comprehensive architectural solutions.
For live coding assessments, I'm so used to coding assistants that I freeze up when I can't use them. Simple tasks that I normally breeze through with help are daunting without them. The syntax mistakes I make are basics I usually fix with autocomplete, and I end up wasting time trying to remember elementary API documentation during the assessment. I know I can do solid work in my day-to-day job, but these assessments are really knocking my confidence. Has anyone else been in this situation?
5 Answers
Honestly, you've pinpointed the root of the problem: relying too much on AI tools. It's great that you recognize this, but you need to put in some real practice without them. Interviews are designed to test your raw coding skills and thought processes, not just whether you can use a tool to get through a problem. Consider doing drills where you tackle coding problems without any assistance to rebuild your skills and confidence. You’re clearly capable, this is more about getting back to basics than a total career overhaul.
This is a common issue today, especially for developers who have grown dependent on AI. It's important to practice coding without any tooling or assistants. Try working through some problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank without any help. You’ll want to demonstrate your coding capabilities, so take some time to build that muscle back up. You can do this!
I totally get your struggle. The shift from coding with help to coding on your own can be huge and intimidating. I suggest practicing with small projects and focusing on coding fundamentals. Try to code daily without the crutches you've relied on and address those basic concepts again. The confidence will come once you’re comfortable working independently.
You’re definitely not alone in this. A lot of developers lose their edge when they rely heavily on tools like auto-completions. It's crucial to remember that coding interviews are about demonstrating your understanding of the code. Spend some time tackling problems without assistance to strengthen your foundational skills. The more you practice in a low-pressure environment, the more confident you’ll be in the real assessments.
I think many people relate to this. Coding assessments can feel so different from real-world coding where you have your tools. Try looking at these assessments as a way to strengthen your skills rather than as a pass/fail situation. Each one is a learning opportunity. If a company expects you to code without any tools, they’re testing how well you really understand your stack. So, take the lessons learned and keep practicing without relying on AI.
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