Sharing my SDE1 Amazon OA experience.

Date : August 25, 2024
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Hello everyone! Today, I want to share my experience with the Online Assessment (OA) for the SDE1 position at Amazon that I completed just this morning. I hope that by detailing my journey, I can provide some insights and tips for those preparing for similar assessments.

Overview of the Assessment Format

While I want to be respectful of the confidentiality guidelines, I can share that the assessment was structured into two main parts: a coding section and a behavioral scenario-based section. I was allotted a total of 4 hours, with 70 minutes dedicated to coding, where I had to tackle 2 medium-level questions. The remaining time was reserved for behavioral and situational questions, which are crucial for understanding how candidates align with Amazon’s leadership principles.

Coding Round Experience

The coding segment went relatively well for me. I was able to solve the first question successfully, passing 20 out of 22 test cases. For the second question, I achieved a perfect score, passing 18 out of 18 test cases. I found the questions to be engaging and a fair measure of my problem-solving abilities.

To those curious about the difficulty level, I would classify the questions as medium. They required a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms, but with a bit of practice and preparation, they should be manageable. It’s always a good idea to brush up on common topics like arrays, strings, trees, and dynamic programming before such assessments.

Behavioral and Scenario-Based Questions

Following the coding round, I transitioned into the behavioral and scenario-based questions. I believe this section went well, as I felt confident in articulating my thoughts and experiences. Amazon places significant emphasis on their leadership principles, so it’s essential to reflect on your past experiences and align them with these principles.

For those preparing for similar interviews, I recommend using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. This approach helps you convey your experiences clearly and effectively.

Technical Glitch: Photo ID Verification

One hiccup I faced during the assessment was related to the photo ID verification process. I had prepared my Photo ID for verification as instructed, but I was never prompted to show it. Looking back, I suspect that my camera app being open in the background may have caused the browser to block access to the camera, which resulted in the prompt not appearing.

After realizing this, I continued with the assessment but made sure to mention this issue during the feedback session at the end. Additionally, I sent an email to the Accommodations department to clarify the situation and ensure that it wouldn’t affect my assessment outcome. If anyone finds themselves in a similar situation, I recommend addressing any technical issues promptly, as communication is key.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As I wrap up this post, I’m hopeful that my performance will be sufficient to move on to the next round. The entire experience was a mix of excitement and nerves, but I’m proud of how I handled the challenges presented to me.

To anyone else preparing for their Amazon OA or any technical interview, my best advice is to practice coding problems regularly, familiarize yourself with behavioral questions, and don’t forget to prepare your technical setup ahead of time!

Thank you for reading, and wish me luck as I await my results! If you have any questions or comments about your own experiences, feel free to share them below!

Top Comments

Good luck! How difficult were the coding questions and which topics were they on?
Congrats, good luck eh!
Is this intern or full-time? Aren’t the test cases usually 15 only?