Coding aptitude test

[staticbob]

Guys,

I've been asked by a collegue to put a quick test together for her to see if she has the right aptitude and ability to get into coding. She is a clever girl, but mainly doing admin tasks, I don't think coding will suit her but she's asked me..... and I aim to please...

So, I was thinking that a logical mind, perhaps good with excel stuff, would be a start. But without giving her a full on test, how can I throw say a 10 point quiz at her to see its worth her doing a course or 3.

Serious please guys, I know all the "other" questions I could ask about liking dark rooms, long days/nights without washing etc etc

Bob

[thegreatone]

Give her a situation where she has to track a "variable" ?

[si_the_geek]

As this is a serious question, I have moved it to the relevant forum.

You'd be best to avoid things that need programming knowledge - one I've done was a set of questions about a delivery driver, basically working out the quickest route between (&via) certain places, when there are specified restrictions (limited number of roads, some 1-way only).

[staticbob]

OK, thanks Si.

Any idea where I can fiond the affore mentioned delivery driver ? or something along those lines....

SB

[si_the_geek]

I've got no idea I'm afraid.

[Valleysboy1978]

I remember taking an IBM aptitude test years ago for university entry. Many of the questions were normal IQ test questions to test my logicality. These might be a good start.

Also, a couple of questions that are sort of like a detective question. After all our jobs fo involve a bit of detective work when trying to figure out the cause of an issue

found this on Google

[Valleysboy1978]

Although I found those questions were wrong, but that could just be me

[DeadEyes]

Judging by those sample question I shouldn't be a programmer
The poor formatting of sample C didn't help.

[penagate]

I got the first two right and couldn't be bothered with the last. It seems OK. Bit stiff though for someone that hasn't ever used a flowchart before.

[sessi4ml]

Ask her this logic question:
How many quarters -- placed one on top of the other -- would it take to reach the top of the Empire State Building?
When Jeremy Solomon was asked this in an interview, he didn't have a clue as to what would be the correct answer. Nonetheless, he remained calm.

First, he asked the interviewer exactly what she meant by “placed on top of the other.” After she said on their sides, Solomon began to explain his logic step-by-step to the interviewer. He estimated that a quarter is about an inch in diameter and guessed that there are 120 floors in the Empire State Building, with each floor being 10 feet tall. Then he did the appropriate math

[sessi4ml]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...60/monstercom/

[runner4]

Programming is like painting. Everyone can paint. But, the outcome of your work is not determined simply by your aptitude, but by other things like creativity, dedication and the discipline of mastering the programming language.

[abhijit]

Here is a puzzle that you could ask.
You have got a 7 Gallons jar and a 12 Gallons jar you have to measure exactly 3 Gallons and put it in a radiator

you have ample water supply but no third jar and no markings allowed on the jars


This is one possible solution.
here u go...

0 0 (start)
0 12 (fill 12 gallon jar)
7 5 (transfer 7 gallon from 12 gallon jar)
0 5 (empty 7 gallon jar)
5 0 (transfer 5 gallon to 7 gallon jar)
5 12 (fill 12 gallon jar again)
7 10 (transfer 2 gallon to 7 gallon jar)
0 10 (empty 7 gallon jar again)
7 3 (transfer 7 gallon to 7 gallon jar)
remaining 3 gallon in 12 gallon jar...