Amazon Workstyle Assessment: Evaluation and 14 Leadership Principles
Software Development Engineers (SDEs) are the minds behind many of Amazon’s technical innovations. Many talented software developers are vying for job positions at Amazon, so competition is fierce.
To successfully pass the Amazon recruitment process you will need a carefully planned out preparation strategy. This strategy should focus on and consider what Amazon is looking for from its software development engineers.
This guide will help you specifically prepare for your Amazon SDE online assessment and Amazon’s interviews.
All about the 2024 Amazon Online Assessment
The Amazon Software Development Engineering online assessment is the test you will be asked to complete if you apply for a coding or technology-based role at Amazon. You may need to complete the SDE online assessment if you apply for an internship position, are a new graduate, or you are hoping to fill a more experienced role. The assessment typically features a technical section on coding and behavioral assessments.
For developers applying for internship or graduate positions, the Amazon SDE online assessment generally features the following:
- Code debugging questions
- A coding assessment
- A technical problem-solving exam (covering hypothetical situations that are particular to your job role)
- A personality assessment
For more experienced software developers, the assessment will likely include the following:
- Two coding questions, which you will need to solve
- A coding approach questionnaire
- A work style personality assessment
Amazon SDE New Grad and Internship Online Assessment
Amazon OA1 (Part 1) – Code Debugging:
The initial online assessment (OA1), features a series of seven debugging questions. You will have 20 minutes to complete these questions. You will be shown a problem and a section of code. The section of code should, theoretically, solve the problem. However, it doesn’t due to the presence of a bug. You will need to work out what the bug is and fix the code.
You will be given a specific amount of time (approximately 3 mins) to complete each one of the seven questions. Three coding languages are used in this online assessment: C, C++, and Java.
Amazon OA2 (Part 2) – Coding and Workstyles:
The next online assessment (OA2), features a set of two data structures and algorithm problems. You will be given a specific amount of time to solve each of the questions (approximately 30 mins). Your code has to compile for both questions before you can move on to the Amazon interview stage of the recruitment process.
You will be given the chance to compile your code as many times as you choose prior to presenting your solution. You will be able to use any of these eight languages: C++, C#, C, Java, Python, Swift, Ruby, and JavaScript. Keep in mind that Amazon’s recruiters will be looking for optimization and efficiency from your solutions, and not simply brute force.
Amazon OA3 (Part 3) – Technical Problem Solving:
Two sections make up the third online assessment (OA3):
Section 1 – an interactive video simulation of a day-to-day routine of a software development engineer at Amazon. You will be shown different scenarios and will need to decide how you would react to the given situation. You will have two hours to complete this section.
Section 2 – a series of 24 logical reasoning multiple-choice questions. You will have 35 minutes to complete this section. Your problem-solving skills will be assessed as will the speed at which you complete the questions. You should aim to answer as many questions as possible within the 35 minutes you have.
Amazon Online Assessment for Experienced Positions (SDE 2)
Software developers applying for experience positions will need to complete the following assessments:
- Amazon Coding Assessment (105 minutes)
- Amazon Workstyle Assessment (about 15 minutes)
- Feedback Survey (5 minutes)
Amazon Assessment Prep Course
Amazon Workstyle Assessment FAQ
How difficult is the Amazon SDE interview?
Amazon coding interviews are highly demanding. The questions are particular to Amazon making them all the more challenging. You will need to be familiar with Amazon’s Leadership Principles, as these principles are central to Amazon’s culture and operations.
Who can apply for Amazon SDE?
Graduates with a solid understanding of Computer Science, ideally with a degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a related field. Applicants should have several years of software engineering experience. It’s important to note that applicants who have previously applied for a position as an SDE at Amazon, in the last 6 months, can not apply.
How do I become an SDE at Amazon?
It is important to read through the job description posted by Amazon carefully when applying for a role as an SDE at Amazon. You will need to go through a rigorous hiring process, to land a job at Amazon as a software development engineer. As part of this recruitment process you will need to successfully pass the Amazon SDE Online Assessment Test.
What is the salary of SDE in Amazon?
Amazon offers competitive compensation for its employees. The standard Amazon Software Development Engineer salary is approximately $120,000 per year. Software Development Engineer salaries at Amazon can, however, fall between approximately $63,000 – $202,000. As salary amounts can vary, it is best to check the job description of the specific SDE job role you wish to apply for.
How do I prepare for Amazon SDE online assessment?
The most effective way to get ready for the Amazon SDE online assessment and interview is to rely on practice materials that closely resemble the actual SDE assessments. This will make sure that you will know exactly what will be waiting for you on the day of your assessment and interview.
3 Key Tips for the Amazon Online Assessment and Interviews
1. Become familiar with the culture at Amazon
Many candidates overlook the importance of this step. Prior to spending hours preparing and practicing for your Amazon SDE Online Assessment Test, you should check to see that Amazon is a good fit for you.
If you know any engineers who currently work for Amazon or anyone who used to work for them, seek them out and ask them questions. Find out what the culture at Amazon is like and see if it suits your outlook and personality.
You should also take time to familiarize yourself with Amazon’s leadership principles. These principles will not only give you an idea of what to expect from a job at Amazon, they will also help you prepare for your Amazon interviews.
2. Know what to expect from your Amazon interviews
You will need to answer 3 question types when you attend your Amazon interview: coding, system design, and behavioral. Here we will focus on behavioral interview question preparation.
When you are asked a behavioral interview question, it is of key importance that you are able to show your interviewer that you have an in-depth understanding of Amazon’s Leadership Principles. Amazon uses its leadership principles as the basic structure against which they assess and evaluate all potential new recruits.
3. Practice with friends and colleagues
You may only get to a certain point by practicing by yourself. One of the key obstacles that you will face with the coding interview questions is that you need to tell the interviewer what you are doing while you are doing it.
To become comfortable with this type of “thinking out loud” we suggest that you practice coding interviews with a friend or family member. This will help you get used to the idea of explaining your thought process as you code.
How to Ace the Amazon Online Assessment and Interviews?
Prior to even attending an interview at Amazon, you will typically be invited to complete one or more of Amazon’s online assessments. The Amazon Software Development Engineering online assessment is the exam you will need to pass if you are applying for a coding or technology-based role at Amazon. While this may appear to be a daunting task, with the right tailored preparation you can maximize your chances of success.
At Prepterminal, our psychometric test experts have specifically designed a course to help you thoroughly prepare for your Amazon SDE online assessment and Amazon interviews. Our course features video-based course material to keep you engaged while you learn. Our practice questions and mock tests mirror the style and content of Amazon’s real SDE Online Assessment Test, so you can approach the assessment with confidence.
