I received an invitation for a HackerRank assessment test from the recruiter. However, the recruiter did not set up a phone call beforehand. I emailed her to gain a better understanding of what would be asked in the assessment before starting it. I inquired if it would focus on front-end skills like React, or data structure/algorithm type questions, or a combination of both.

I was told it would be on React only.

Knowing I am proficient in React, I took the assessment almost immediately. However, it turned out there were two questions: one on React and one on data structures/algorithms. I managed to complete the React questions correctly and fairly quickly. I also completed the data structure/algorithm question, but with some test cases failing because it was not optimal in runtime. I ran out of time while searching for an optimal solution. I would describe that question as non-trivial and of medium difficulty.

If I had known there would be a data structure/algorithm question, I probably would have taken some time to prepare, as I am quite rusty in that area.

I received a rejection email shortly after, stating they were not moving forward due to my score on the test. The recruiter's email made it sound as though I had completely failed all the questions, even though I knew I had passed one question and had a reasonably good solution to the second, albeit not optimal.

I emailed the recruiter back, stating that I had been given incorrect information regarding what to prepare for. She then told me she had no knowledge of what the assessment would cover from HackerRank and that I should have contacted her when I started the test to inform her it was on data structures/algorithms as well. However, given the timed nature of the test, I did not realistically have time to both take the test and contact her.

The recruiter should have informed me the first time that she was unaware of the test's content, instead of telling me it was solely on React. It seems there is a significant reliance on HackerRank, and they only receive a pass or fail result if all questions are completed with optimal runtime. You are essentially unable to start with a first solution and then work towards a more optimal one because there is insufficient time in the assessment to backtrack.

Question on React and DS/Algo on HackerRank