Hackerrank OAs are almost always array/string/greedy questions
Hackerrank OAs Are Almost Always Array/String/Greedy Questions
Has anyone else noticed this trend in Hackerrank’s online assessments (OAs)? It seems like a significant majority of the questions I encounter focus primarily on arrays, strings, and sorting algorithms. While these topics are undoubtedly essential for any programmer, I can’t help but feel the absence of more complex data structures like trees and graphs in these assessments, especially when interviewing with quant companies.
The Dominance of Arrays and Strings
When navigating through Hackerrank’s question bank, you’ll often find yourself knee-deep in problems that revolve around manipulating arrays or strings. This isn’t merely a coincidence; arrays and strings are fundamental data structures in programming. They serve as the backbone for various algorithms and are commonly used in many software development scenarios.
Why Arrays and Strings?
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Simplicity and Versatility: Arrays and strings are straightforward to understand and implement, making them an excellent choice for assessing a candidate’s basic problem-solving skills.
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Frequent Use Cases: Many real-world applications require manipulating collections of data. Therefore, interviewing candidates on these topics ensures they can handle practical coding tasks.
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Foundational Knowledge: A deep understanding of arrays and strings often translates to a better grasp of more complex data structures. Interviewers may use these questions as a stepping stone to gauge a candidate’s overall programming proficiency.
The Scarcity of Trees and Graphs
In contrast, I’ve noticed a significant lack of questions involving trees, graphs, or other more intricate data structures in Hackerrank’s OAs, particularly when applying to quant-focused companies. This raises a few questions:
Are Trees and Graphs Overrated?
It’s possible that the interview process for quant roles prioritizes mathematical reasoning and probability over intricate data structures. However, trees and graphs are crucial for various algorithms, especially in fields like machine learning and networking. Their absence from assessments might leave candidates underprepared for real-world scenarios that require these skills.
Understanding the Gap
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Nature of Quant Roles: Quant roles often demand strong analytical and mathematical skills, which might lead companies to favor questions that test numerical problem-solving rather than data structure manipulation.
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Simplified Assessment Models: Companies may prefer to streamline their assessment processes, opting for questions that can be quickly evaluated and provide clear indicators of a candidate’s proficiency.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Hackerrank’s focus on arrays, strings, and sorting might streamline candidate evaluation, it could also inadvertently narrow the skill set of applicants. As technology continues to evolve, and as roles become more specialized, there is a growing need to incorporate a wider variety of data structures into assessments.
Have you experienced similar trends in other coding platforms? Do you believe that a broader range of topics should be included in online assessments? I would love to hear your thoughts and insights on this matter!
Top Comments:
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User123: “I completely agree! I feel like I could solve array problems in my sleep. More diversity in questions would be refreshing!”
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CodeMaster: “I’ve noticed the same pattern. It would be beneficial for candidates if there were more emphasis on trees and graphs, especially for positions in tech that require those skills.”
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DevGuru: “Perhaps companies should consider the type of work they expect their candidates to perform. Tailoring assessments to reflect real job requirements might yield better insights into a candidate’s fit.”
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DataWhiz: “Great post! I think there’s a balance to strike. While arrays and strings are foundational, we shouldn’t neglect the more complex structures that many roles require.”
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AlgoNinja: “The discussion around assessment topics is vital. As an industry, we need to ensure we’re not just testing rote skills but also the ability to think critically about complex problems.”