The best assessments don't feel like tests—they feel like interesting problems worth solving. Here are twelve formats that transform candidate experience.

Interactive Assessments

1. Pair Programming Sessions

Collaborative coding with a team member reveals communication skills and cultural fit.

2. Code Review Exercises

Evaluating existing code shows analytical thinking and attention to detail.

3. System Design Discussions

Open-ended architecture conversations reveal experience and problem-solving approach.

Project-Based Assessments

4. Take-Home Projects

Realistic projects completed in candidates' own time show quality of work without time pressure.

5. Bug Fix Challenges

Finding and fixing issues in existing codebases mirrors daily development work.

6. Feature Extension Tasks

Adding features to existing projects shows how candidates work with unfamiliar code.

AI-Augmented Assessments

7. GPT-Assisted Problem Solving

Allowing AI tools reveals judgment and collaboration skills.

8. Prompt Engineering Challenges

Testing ability to effectively use AI tools for complex tasks.

9. AI Output Evaluation

Assessing candidates' ability to verify and improve AI-generated code.

Communication-Focused Assessments

10. Technical Writing Samples

Documentation and explanation skills are crucial for team success.

11. Presentation Exercises

Explaining technical concepts reveals communication abilities.

12. Stakeholder Simulation

Role-playing discussions with non-technical stakeholders tests real-world communication.

Choose assessments that match the actual work your team does, and candidates will appreciate the relevance.