Five Ways to Fail a Coding Test

One:

The number one reason why you may fail to solve a coding test is to start a solution to a coding challenge before actually understanding the problem well. One must always make sure they are well acquainted with the problem at hand and can dissect it and paraphrase it before they come up with a solution. Writing down the problem on a paper can help you to figure out what you are solving and where to start.

Two:

Begin working on the more difficult challenges before you work out and submit the easier ones. Start with the easier problems first, and then afterward tackle the harder challenge. This may sound like an obvious old school trick but it is at the very least practical. You want to make the best use of your time, especially in a coding test.

Three:

Choose to code the solutions in a language you recently learned but have not yet mastered. You have finally won a coding interview, and this is not the time to practice or learn a new coding language. Unless the company you are applying to is interested in a specific language or languages, you must try to remain in your comfort zone as much as possible during the coding test; coding your solutions in the language you are most proficient in will help you to feel at ease, boost your confidence and stay on top of your game.

Four: 

Spend a long time without solving a programming challenge. If you mostly find yourself solving problems only when you are doing a coding test, then you may be unprepared to ace coding interviews. Build a coding habit, and not merely a coding habit but a problem-solving habit. By becoming a hobby problem solver, you will not dread an upcoming coding challenge but instead, you'll start enjoying and even looking forward to them.

Five: 

Have no strategy for problem-solving. Use a good strategy for problem-solving and thinking and stick to it. This is not the time to panic and aimlessly tackle a problem. Rather, at this point, you must have spent a considerable time practicing solving programming challenges (which you can find on sites like Hackerrank, Codewars, and Leetcode), and in the process, come up with a working strategy for tackling these kinds of problems. Your strategy may start with taking a deep breath, calming yourself, and then proceeding with a clear head.