Thats true, probably a poor analogy, but the overall point is that: Determining a programmer's worth probably takes at least a month in my experience. Maybe ev

Thats true, probably a poor analogy, but the overall point is that: Determining a programmer's worth probably takes at least a month in my experience. Maybe even two months. I almost got fired within the first month of my first job, but quickly ramped up and turned around to be the highest value-adding employee by virtue of completing the highest paying contracts at a fast pace (the company was later acquired). Most companies can't spend a month, but a day long take-home test is a great alternative. There are so many facets to a programmer's worth, and so many ways to miss them or ask the wrong questions, that I just don't believe in short, high-pressure interviews. Take home tests have been highly successful in my experience (and a few others, from what I have heard).