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FAANG coding interviews are definitely not IQ tests. IQ tests (for interviewing) are typically spatial comparisons, some math, logic puzzles, reading comprehen

FAANG coding interviews are definitely not IQ tests. IQ tests (for interviewing) are typically spatial comparisons, some math, logic puzzles, reading comprehension, and pattern recognition and are done so under a time budget of around 30s to 1 minute per question FAANG coding requires CS basics - hashmaps, arrays, sorting strategies, trees, recusion, basic ops for all of the data structures, and a few other concepts. There are typically only a handful of questions with 60 - 90 minutes per question

derefr 7y ago
That's why the parent said that they're "disguised" IQ tests. If they used a test that strongly correlated with the outcome of an IQ test, then it would also, legally, be an IQ test, and they'd have to stop doing it. So instead, they use a test that weakly correlates with the outcome of an IQ test, and then try to extract the a measure of IQ from the "noise" that is all the other variables the test depends on.
- vsareto 7y ago
  IQ has nothing to do with whether you know CS basics or not, that's the problem. It doesn't matter that they said it's a disguised IQ test because it's not an IQ test in any fashion.
  - iateanapple 7y ago
    > IQ has nothing to do with whether you know CS basics or not, that's the problem. In practice the Google/Facebook interview has nothing to do with knowing the CS basics either. Edit: In practice understanding CS basics is the baseline that gets you to the interview - kind of like English is the baseline for an IQ test delivered in English.
    - oreally 7y ago
      > In practice the Google/Facebook interview has nothing to do with knowing the CS basics either. What the heck is this statement? You do realize many algorithms that they test for are taught in an algorithms class for a Computer Science course? I doubt you took an IQ test before or even properly accessed what it is. there are IQ tests composed of entirely of pattern matching shapes and they do not have any knowledge/language prerequisites. Get outta my internet.
      - iateanapple 7y ago
        > What the heck is this statement? If you think knowledge of CS fundamentals is what is separating the hired from the rejected... My experience from interviewing hundreds of candidates over the years at a top tech company is that the majority of candidates we reject have strong CS fundamentals. > there are IQ tests composed of entirely of pattern matching shapes And there are IQ tests/proxies that are entirely “verbal” like the GSS Wordsum - what is your point? > I doubt you took an IQ test before or even properly accessed what it is. I’m certified in my state to administer IQ tests....
        oreally 7y ago
        > If you think knowledge of CS fundamentals is what is separating the hired from the rejected... I've never stated that. I am aware of the other behavioral tests if that's what you're referring to. But the fact remains that they give you algorithms questions that we dont use in most of our daily work and if you can't meet the rather high basics you are rejected. > And there are IQ tests/proxies that are entirely “verbal” like the GSS Wordsum - what is your point? That you can have IQ tests without knowledge prerequisites unlike what you stated before the edit? > I’m certified in my state to administer IQ tests.... Well either you're BS-ing or you've been confined to some kind of corporate environment where they've somehow convinced management people (who dont code) to adopt a test so detached from reality.
        iateanapple 7y ago
        > I am aware of the other behavioral tests if that's what you're referring to. No I’m not. I’m saying FAANG are hiring based on fast pace general problem solving skills that are difficult to game and have very little to do with computer science. That is why “our” interview processes are being compared to IQ tests. “We” have rejected people who teach computer science fundamentals at prestigious schools and hired teenagers who only started learning about algorithms a few months before the interview. > That you can have IQ tests without knowledge prerequisites unlike what you stated before the edit? How is that relevant at all? > to adopt a test so detached from reality. How is it detached from reality?

derefr 7y ago

That's why the parent said that they're "disguised" IQ tests. If they used a test that strongly correlated with the outcome of an IQ test, then it would also, legally, be an IQ test, and they'd have to stop doing it. So instead, they use a test that weakly correlates with the outcome of an IQ test, and then try to extract the a measure of IQ from the "noise" that is all the other variables the test depends on.

vsareto 7y ago
IQ has nothing to do with whether you know CS basics or not, that's the problem. It doesn't matter that they said it's a disguised IQ test because it's not an IQ test in any fashion.
- iateanapple 7y ago
  > IQ has nothing to do with whether you know CS basics or not, that's the problem. In practice the Google/Facebook interview has nothing to do with knowing the CS basics either. Edit: In practice understanding CS basics is the baseline that gets you to the interview - kind of like English is the baseline for an IQ test delivered in English.
  - oreally 7y ago
    > In practice the Google/Facebook interview has nothing to do with knowing the CS basics either. What the heck is this statement? You do realize many algorithms that they test for are taught in an algorithms class for a Computer Science course? I doubt you took an IQ test before or even properly accessed what it is. there are IQ tests composed of entirely of pattern matching shapes and they do not have any knowledge/language prerequisites. Get outta my internet.
    - iateanapple 7y ago
      > What the heck is this statement? If you think knowledge of CS fundamentals is what is separating the hired from the rejected... My experience from interviewing hundreds of candidates over the years at a top tech company is that the majority of candidates we reject have strong CS fundamentals. > there are IQ tests composed of entirely of pattern matching shapes And there are IQ tests/proxies that are entirely “verbal” like the GSS Wordsum - what is your point? > I doubt you took an IQ test before or even properly accessed what it is. I’m certified in my state to administer IQ tests....
      - oreally 7y ago
        > If you think knowledge of CS fundamentals is what is separating the hired from the rejected... I've never stated that. I am aware of the other behavioral tests if that's what you're referring to. But the fact remains that they give you algorithms questions that we dont use in most of our daily work and if you can't meet the rather high basics you are rejected. > And there are IQ tests/proxies that are entirely “verbal” like the GSS Wordsum - what is your point? That you can have IQ tests without knowledge prerequisites unlike what you stated before the edit? > I’m certified in my state to administer IQ tests.... Well either you're BS-ing or you've been confined to some kind of corporate environment where they've somehow convinced management people (who dont code) to adopt a test so detached from reality.
        iateanapple 7y ago
        > I am aware of the other behavioral tests if that's what you're referring to. No I’m not. I’m saying FAANG are hiring based on fast pace general problem solving skills that are difficult to game and have very little to do with computer science. That is why “our” interview processes are being compared to IQ tests. “We” have rejected people who teach computer science fundamentals at prestigious schools and hired teenagers who only started learning about algorithms a few months before the interview. > That you can have IQ tests without knowledge prerequisites unlike what you stated before the edit? How is that relevant at all? > to adopt a test so detached from reality. How is it detached from reality?