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A coding test built for real-world skills

Practical coding problems that reflect actual day-to-day work. Any language, any tech stack. AI-driven code reviews and automated scoring give your team clear, structured data without adding manual work.
More about the Hiring System See how it works
Alva coding test platform interface showing test library with Backend, Frontend, and Data coding challenges
Group 659
Portrait of a software developer

What does a coding test evaluate?

Engineers don't object to being tested. They object to unclear instructions and hypothetical problems. Alva's tests mirror what developers actually do.

Functional correctness

Automated tests validate whether the code works against requirements

Code quality

AI reviews for structure, maintainability, and engineering best practices

Problem-solving approach

How candidates break down and solve practical challenges

Real-world readiness

Building APIs, handling data, writing production-grade code

Key advantages of Alva's coding test

Challenges designed by engineers from Stripe and Spotify, in a GitHub-based environment with clear instructions.

Any language, any stack

Python, React, TypeScript, Java, and more. Backend, frontend, and fullstack

AI-driven code review

Beyond pass/fail: quality, structure, and best practices scored automatically

Custom tests available

Tailor challenges to your exact tech environment, criteria, and seniority level

When coding tests add value and when they don't.

Adds value

Roles where daily work involves writing and shipping code

High candidate volume, need a scalable and structured screen

Hiring teams want comparable, structured data across candidates

Combined with psychometrics, interviews, and Role Fit score

Doesn't add value

Roles where technical skill is secondary to leadership or strategy

Low volume with senior candidates who have strong public portfolios

Organisation prefers open-ended take-home projects without scoring

Used as a standalone filter without context from other assessments

A coding test is one input in a structured evaluation. In Alva, it combines with psychometrics, interviews, and background to contribute to an overall Role Fit score.

Why market leaders choose Alva

Great hiring is a measurable impact. Here's what clients and candidates say.

Hiring quality

%

of customers report fewer low-performing hires

Candidate experience

%

of candidates complete their assessment

Candidate satisfaction

%

candidate satisfaction across all assessments

Efficiency

%

reduction in time to hire

Powerful alone. More powerful in the right context.

Alva is an end-to-end AI hiring system that gives you everything you need to make confident, data-based decisions, always backed by proven science. The coding test is one of many inputs in a structured evaluation of skills, background, and personality to weigh in all signals against role-specific criteria.

Explore the full system

Science makes hiring fairer and fairer hiring builds better teams

The science behind our tests

Validity

Practical tasks

Work-sample tests are among the most valid predictors of job performance, consistently outperforming interviews and CV screening

Authored by domain experts

Independent third-party validation of scientific rigour and practical utility

Dual evaluation

Automated functional tests plus AI code review produce structured, comparable data

Fairness

Real-world format

Candidates work in their own environment with familiar tools, reducing artificial disadvantage

Transparent expectations

Clear instructions, project boilerplates, and adjustable time allocations

Language flexibility

Candidates choose from supported languages, not forced into an unfamiliar stack

“We found that the Alva cases didn't give away to candidates exactly what they needed to do, without making it too difficult. This enabled us to get a full picture of their experience and key skills to ensure they were the right technical as well as cultural fit.”

Jacob Klapwijk, Senior Frontend Engineer, Mentimeter

4.8
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Jacob Klapwijk, Senior Frontend Engineer at Mentimeter
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Questions about Alva Labs coding tests in hiring

What languages and frameworks are supported?

How long does a coding test take?

What's an AI-driven code review?

Can I create custom tests?

How do results connect to other assessments?

See how coding tests fit into
structured hiring

Curious how AI-driven code reviews could work in your process? Let's walk through it together.

Schedule a call