Front end development assessments are used to evaluate the skills and abilities of front end developers. They allow companies to test a developer’s proficiency in front end languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript, as well as framework and library knowledge. Assessments can take different forms depending on the goals and needs of the organization, but generally aim to provide insights into a developer’s competency and readiness for a front end role.
Why are front end assessments used?
There are a few key reasons companies utilize front end development assessments:
- Evaluate technical skills – Assessments let companies test for proficiency in core front end languages like HTML, CSS and JavaScript. They can identify strengths and weaknesses in a developer’s technical abilities.
- Assess problem solving – Well-designed assessments present candidates with real-world problems and challenges. This tests their ability to think critically, troubleshoot issues and arrive at solutions.
- Screen candidates – Assessments provide a consistent way to screen and filter candidates for open front end roles. They help identify the most qualified applicants.
- Test framework knowledge – Assessments can gauge a developer’s experience with popular JS frameworks like React, Angular and Vue.js which are commonly used for front end work.
- Save time and resources – Conducting assessments upfront minimizes the need for prolonged interview processes. Companies can quickly validate skills before investing significant time and resources.
In summary, assessments allow companies to thoroughly vet candidates and make data-driven hiring decisions for critical front end roles.
What abilities are evaluated?
Front end development assessments typically evaluate the following abilities:
- HTML – Knowledge of semantic HTML and ability to properly structure web pages.
- CSS – Proficiency with CSS and styling pages using class and id selectors, media queries and more.
- JavaScript – Familiarity with JavaScript programming, data types, DOM manipulation, events and common functions.
- Frameworks/Libraries – Experience using popular JS frameworks like React, Angular, Vue.js and jQuery.
- Responsive design – Ability to create sites and apps that adapt to different devices and screen sizes.
- Accessibility – How well a developer builds accessible sites that support assistive technologies and ARIA attributes.
- Testing – Knowledge of testing code using frameworks like Jest, unit testing concepts and test-driven development.
- Debugging – Proficiency at troubleshooting issues like cross-browser bugs, network problems and debugging code.
- Tools – Familiarity with front end tools like version control, build tools, linters and module bundlers.
Assessing these technical and soft skills provides a comprehensive view of a developer’s readiness for a front end role.
What types of assessments are used?
Some common types of front end development assessments include:
- Code tests – Developers are given specs and need to write actual code that satisfies requirements. Tests programming knowledge.
- Online coding challenges – Time-boxed coding tests completed on platforms like HackerRank or CodeSignal. Focused on programming abilities.
- Take home projects – Mini-projects that replicate real work and allow developers to showcase skills in a less artificial way.
- Live coding interviews – Developers share their screen and work through exercises in real time while explaining their thought process.
- Technical interviews – Discussing front end concepts, tools and processes verbally without writing actual code.
- Portfolio reviews – Evaluating previous work samples and projects that demonstrate mastery.
Companies may leverage one or more of these assessment types depending on the role requirements. The most effective approach is often using a combination of methods to thoroughly evaluate capabilities from different angles.
How are online assessments structured?
Online coding assessments typically follow a structured format:
- Closed book – Developers cannot reference outside notes, resources or search engines when taking the assessment.
- Time limit – Assessments are time-boxed, ranging from 1-4 hours total.
- Programming challenges – Questions focus on writing code to meet specific requirements or objectives.
- Multiple-choice – Some tests intersperse coding questions with multiple choice problems checking concepts.
- Difficulty levels – Coding challenges increase in difficulty as the assessment progresses.
- IDE – Many provide web-based IDEs (code editors) to complete coding tasks and run tests.
- Instant feedback – Results are provided immediately after completion.
Following this structure allows online assessments to be standardized and objectively scored across candidates.
What do code tests assess?
Code tests aim to provide insights into several aspects of a developer’s skills:
- Coding proficiency – Ability to write syntactically correct code and implement functionality.
- Program logic – How logically a developer breaks problems down and maps solutions.
- Code quality – Writing clean, maintainable, well-organized code.
- Testing – Whether they include tests and how effectively tests cover the code.
- Documentation – Code is properly commented for readability.
- Performance – How efficiently the code executes and manages resources like memory.
- Security – Code is written defensively against vulnerabilities and threats.
- Frameworks – Comfort with leveraging popular frameworks like React where applicable.
- Time management – Ability to complete tasks within the allocated time limits.
Evaluating real code allows companies to thoroughly assess many different dimensions of a developer’s skills.
How are code tests scored?
Code tests are scored based on:
- Correctness – Code produces correct output and meets the requirements.
- Coding best practices – Usage of proper naming, formatting, modularity and other best practices.
- Efficiency – Logical flow, performance, memory usage and time complexity of code.
- Readability – Code organization, spacing, comments and descriptive naming.
- Defensive coding – Input validation, error handling, and protection against threats.
- Testing – Presence and scope of unit tests or other test cases.
- Time to completion – How long it takes to successfully finish the challenge.
Scores can be tabulated automatically and benchmarked across candidates to enable objective comparisons.
What tools are used for online assessments?
Some popular tools for administering online front end assessments include:
- HackerRank – Features coding challenges in multiple languages with instant results.
- CodeSignal – Flexible online assessments with an IDE and real-time feedback.
- Qualified – Customizable coding tests for screening candidates at scale.
- InterviewZen – Simple online code pair programming for interviews.
- Coderbyte – Code challenges and questions to assess programming skills.
- Codility – Automated testing and scoring for coding tests.
- HireVue – Video assessments analyzing candidate responses and code samples.
These tools allow companies to easily set up online assessments that can be taken from anywhere.
What are some common code challenges?
Some typical code challenges given during front end assessments include:
- Build a page layout from a provided design spec using HTML and CSS.
- Create an interactive form with JavaScript validation.
- Implement a responsive navbar that toggles open on mobile sizes.
- Use JavaScript to manipulate DOM elements on a page.
- Make AJAX requests to retrieve and display data from an API.
- Parse and process data from a JSON object.
- Render a list using React components and state.
- Build a simple Angular-based web app that loads mock data.
- Create CSS animations and transitions for loading and hover states.
Challenges like these provide a good indicator of a developer’s practical skills.
What makes a good front end assessment?
Characteristics of an effective front end development assessment include:
- Realistic – Simulates actual work scenarios rather than contrived problems.
- API focused – Stresses consuming and working with remote data via APIs.
- Hands-on – Emphasizes writing code rather than just discussing concepts.
- UI integration – Involves displaying data and integrating with UI designs.
- Modern tools – Uses current and relevant frameworks, libraries and standards.
- Progressive – Increases in difficulty to thoroughly assess candidate readiness.
- Holistic – Covers a wide range of knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Consistent – Standardized scoring to avoid biased or unfair evaluations.
Assessments designed with these principles provide an accurate overview of developer capabilities aligned with the role’s needs.
How can developers prepare for front end assessments?
Developers can prepare by:
- Reviewing core HTML, CSS and JavaScript fundamentals.
- Studying common front end interview questions and topics.
- Practicing mock challenges and tests.
- Using online IDEs and tools to simulate the actual testing environment.
- Working through front end coding exercises and projects.
- Ensuring familiarity with popular frameworks like React and Angular.
- Brushing up on computer science concepts like data structures and algorithms.
- Completing online courses and tutorials as a refresher.
Being rested, focused and ready to show one’s abilities is also an important part of preparation.
What are signs of a good front end developer?
Signs of a strong front end developer that companies look for include:
- Produces clean, maintainable, well-tested code.
- Chooses optimal solutions tailored to the problem at hand.
- Writes code that is performant, scalable and stable.
- Follows best practices and industry standards.
- Has experience building responsive, user-friendly web apps.
- Is a continuous learner embracing new technologies.
- Possesses strong communication and collaboration abilities.
- Takes initiative and brings creative ideas to the table.
- Focuses on writing simple, readable and understandable code.
- Takes ownership of their code and what they deliver.
Developers who demonstrate these qualities have the potential to thrive in front end roles.
Conclusion
Front end development assessments allow companies to thoroughly evaluate a developer’s skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript and other critical areas. Well-designed assessments provide insights into how candidates would perform in an actual job through hands-on coding challenges and technical interviews. While assessments require preparation, developers who methodically work through practice problems and brush up on fundamentals put themselves in a good position to demonstrate their abilities. Companies use front end assessments as a crucial screening and selection tool when hiring for impactful front end engineering roles.