Coding challenges are tests sent to potential employees by a company typically to serve as a zero or first round interview to get initial technical/coding signal on candidates.

Coding challenges are tests sent to potential employees by a company typically to serve as a zero or first round interview to get initial technical/coding signal on candidates.

What’s more important than having a degree, McDowell says, is being able to crack the coding interview, a completely manageable undertaking if candidates understand what they’re up against.

The challenges aren't all equally punishing, though. King and Mai write that junior engineers, particularly those first entering the market after graduation, face the toughest field of competition.