OVERVIEW

Why an assessment?
At Amazon, one of our highest priorities is hiring and developing the best. We work hard to raise the
performance bar with every hire. Amazon uses online assessments as one way to help us get to know
you better. We design them to measure key characteristics required for success in our Software
Engineer roles.
Assessments also allow us to assess applicants consistently and equitably, as every individual is
provided with the same experience and information needed to complete the assessment. Completing
the assessment is an important first step in the recruiting process.

What does an Software Development Engineer (SDE) do at Amazon?

SDEs at Amazon tackle some of the most complex challenges in large-scale computing. They own the
software development life cycle, design solutions, and work on coding, testing, implementing,
maintaining and iterating solutions. With a strong understanding and applicable knowledge of CS
fundamentals, things like algorithms and data structures are innate to them. Amazon Software
Developers are also great system designers!

OBJECTIVE

We are interested in your:

 Demonstration of problem solving
 Ability to write correct code
 Application of patterns/data structures
 Optimization for algorithmic performance

We use HackerRank for these assessments. You can get a feel for the interface and functionality
by completing this 60 minute (2 questions)
ASSESSMENT DEMO.

Please also review HackerRank test-taking tips prior to starting your assessment.
INSTRUCTIONS NOTE
Please ensure you have sufficient time to complete the assessment in one sitting We do not penalize use of
before you begin. When you start the assessment, there will be a demo section your own IDE while
that introduces you to the interface before the timer starts. Once the timer completing the code
challenge; however, our
starts, it will not stop until the coding assessment portion is complete. You will
engineers will manually
have 105 minutes to complete 2 coding challenges, and 20 minutes to complete
review the assessment,
a system design module. The time remaining will be clearly displayed in the left including the execution
hand corner of the screen throughout the test. There will be 2 surveys following statistics, to determine next
the assessment: a work style survey (15 min) and a feedback survey (5 min). steps in the recruiting
process.
You will have the option of coding in C, C++, C++14, C#, Go, Java7, Java8,
Javascript, Kotlin, Objective-C, PyPy2, PyPy3, Python 2, Python 3, Ruby, Scala, We highly recommend
and Swift. We recommend you choose your strongest language out of these showing as much of your
work in the online platform
choices. If you’re not comfortable using these languages at this time please
to provide our engineers
let us know! You may use different coding languages for the two questions; insight into your problem
however, switching your language selection for a question that you have solving approach.
already started coding will delete all items you have already coded for that
You may use the resources
question.
that are available for all
Your code will be auto-saved periodically. You can also save by clicking on the candidates (e.g. JDK or
SAVE button. In case of a system failure, you can resume from the last saved STL). Use the in-browser
editor to work on the
instance. Your code will also auto-save when you click on NEXT QUESTION if
coding challenge and
you are moving back and forth between questions.
elaborate your coding
If you need to take a break, you can do so when the timer stops, following the approach as much as
completed assessment. If you choose to take a break at that point, log out possible. Your coding and
elaboration skills are both
before beginning the work style survey. When you’re ready to start the work
considered in our
style survey, log back in using the same credentials and you will return to where
evaluation.
you left off last. If you log out of the assessment at any point, you will have two
hours to log back in and resume the assessment. If more than two hours elapses,
you will be locked out of your assessment. TIP
For the best experience
Efficiency and optimization, as opposed to brute force solutions, earn more
you should use the latest
points! Your code must compile for all code questions in order to move forward stable versions of Google
in the interview process. Be sure to test your code and ensure it runs before you Chrome, Mozilla Firefox,
submit your code or before time runs out. Ensure your solutions consider all Apple Safari, or Mi-
edge cases and handle large inputs effectively. This is key to doing well in the crosoft Edge.
assessment. Your task is to implement an interface we have defined. Your The site will not function
solutions must conform to these items: CODE MUST COMPILE. You can compile satisfactorily with IE11 or
your code as many times as you like during the assessment, but there must a 15 earlier.
second interval between consecutive compilations.

Dive into our and learn more about Amazon

Explore Interviewing at Amazon and Software Development Topics for FAQs, prep guides and more
Review the Code Assessment Demo and Hackerrank FAQs
Check Out Inside Amazon Videos: How To Navigate Amazon's Coding Assessment Platform, How To Break Down The Coding
Problem, Solving The Coding Problem And Running The Solution And Test Cases
TECHNICAL TOPICS YOU SHOULD HAVE

Programming Languages REVIEWED THIS GUIDE AND

THE HACKERRANK FAQS IN
Familiarity with a prominent language is a prerequisite for success. Be familiar THEIR ENTIRETY
with the syntax and nuances of common languages – Java | Python | C# | C | C++
| Ruby | JavaScript. COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT
DEMO
Data Structures
2.5 UNINTERRUPTED HOURS
Storing and providing access to data in efficient ways is important to an SDE’s
success at Amazon. Understand the inner workings of common data structures STABLE INTERNET ACCESS
and be able to compare and contrast their usage in various applications. Know
LAPTOP/COMPUTER
the runtimes for common operations as well as how they use memory.
CHARGER
Algorithms
Basic implementation strategies of different classes of algorithms is more MAXIMUM 3 BROWSER
important than memorizing the specific details of any given algorithm. SESSIONS RUNNING
Consider reviewing traversals and divide and conquer algorithms. Consider
LATEST VERSION OF
knowing how and when to use a breadth-first search vs. a depth-first search, GOOGLE CHROME,
and what the trade-offs are. Knowing theruntimes, theoretical limitations, and FIREFOX OR SAFARI
basic implementation strategies ofdifferent classes of algorithms is more
important than memorizing specific details of any given algorithm.

Coding
The most important thing a SDE does at Amazon is write scalable, robust, and
well-tested code. Be comfortablecoding by hand. Expect to be asked to write
syntactically correct code - no pseudo code. Check for edge cases and validate
that no bad input can slip through. The goal is to write code that’s as close to
production ready as possible.

Object-Oriented Design
Good design is paramount to extensible, bug free, long-lived code. Using
object-oriented design best practices is one way to build lasting software. Have
a working knowledge of a few common and useful design patterns. Know the
appropriate use of inheritance and aggregation. Expect to defend and describe
your design choices.

Databases
Most of the software that we write is backed by a data store. Many of the
challenges we face arise when figuring out how to most efficiently retrieve or
store data for future use. The more you know about how relational and non-
relational databases work andwhat trade-offs exist between them, the better
prepared you will be.

System Design
We want to see your system design skillset applied to a few fictional situations
with simulated peers, managers, and stakeholders. When responding to these
scenarios, put your system design hat on, and employ system design concepts
like designing for maintainability, determining tradeoffs, and dealing with
ambiguity. You will not be requested to complete a whiteboarding or a
diagram exercise. We simply need you to rate what you believe are the most
effective or ineffective actions to take given the scenario.