Coding Test - allow use of web? [closed]

Question

During hiring a .NET web developer I give the candidate a coding test.

I tend to limit the candidate to MSDN installed on the test server - I think it holds everything the candidate needs to complete the task.

I admit, this is not the normal case as I don't expect the candidate to do his work without use of the web.
On the other hand I don't want the candidate to google for a complete example and copy-paste it, i want to evaluate his skills.

The question is do I need to allow free use of the web during the test?

If you think the whole coding test is wrong - I would like to hear alternatives you may have for me.

Answer 1

As you say, 'I don't expect the candidate to do his work without use of the web' why not allow it too during the test? And what if he does copy and paste? I do that too. Surely the key is to know where to look, be discerning with what you find and apply it intelligently. Do you want to hire someone with a terrific memory or someone who can develop software for you?

When I was at school, calculators were just becoming affordable. As their use was seen as unavoidable, the exams were changed. Simple number-crunching was no longer tested in the way it was before (it was important then). Rather problem-solving techniques were to be tested.

Answer 2

I usually allow candidates to use whatever resources they want. After they're done, I sit down with them and go through their code together, ask questions like why they chose that particular approach etc.

If a couple of minutes of Googling was enough to not just copypaste some code but to learn enough about it to be able to defend the decisions within, then he's intelligent enough!

Answer 3

There are tests, where web access can be given, and there are where it doesn't really make sense.

Case where its fine to allow web access

• When its unlikely to find even 60 percent of the code over the net
• When you will ask to explain the code after he/she completed the code
• A very specific solution using SQL query, which is unlikely to be found on the web

Case where its fine to not allow web access

• Some basic programs like, recurssion, fibonacci, factorial, string manipulation, small trick programs, etc. There is no need of computer even in some of these cases