Recently, I received an invitation for the Amazon SDE Online Assessment (OA) after applying through their website (no referral). The assessment was quite structured, offering clear instructions, a detailed pattern overview, and even sample questions to help understand the format. I had 5 days to complete the OA, which had an overall time duration of 5 hours 30 minutes. However, the expected time to complete it was around 1 hour 30 minutes. Here's a breakdown of my experience across the four sections:

1. Coding Round (70 minutes)

The first section featured two medium-level Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) problems with a 70-minute time limit. Each problem had 15 test cases (2 public and 13 private). Here's how it went for me:

• I solved the first question quickly, within 5-6 minutes, passing all 15/15 test cases.
• The second question was more challenging. Initially, I could pass only 6/15 test cases, but after iterating on my approach and debugging, I managed to pass 14/15 test cases. This took me around 40 minutes. I felt good about the effort, though I couldn't crack that final test case.

2. Work Simulation (Maximum 4 hours, Completed in ~1 hour)

The second section was by far the most unique and engaging. It simulated a real-world Amazon workplace scenario, where I was given access to a portal with emails and messages from teammates and managers.

• The tasks included responding to emails, providing recommendations, and resolving issues based on the logs and attachments provided.
• The format consisted of MCQs and MSQs, requiring careful reading of all details, including performance metrics and instructions.
• Although the time limit was 4 hours, I completed it in about 1 hour, as the flow was straightforward and intuitive once I understood the context.

3. Amazon Behavioral Assessment (~15 minutes, No Time Limit)

This section aimed to assess my personality and decision-making approach. The questions revolved around how I would respond in various workplace situations, reflecting Amazon's core leadership principles. It was straightforward and took me approximately 15 minutes to complete.

Overall Experience

I thoroughly enjoyed the assessment process. The mix of technical and behavioral evaluations provided a holistic challenge, and the work simulation stood out as a highlight for me. It felt like a glimpse into Amazon's work environment and its emphasis on precision, collaboration, and problem-solving.

As of now, I’m eagerly awaiting the results, having completed the OA two days ago. Regardless of the outcome, this experience has been a great opportunity to test my skills and learn something new. For anyone preparing for an Amazon OA, I’d recommend focusing on DSA, practicing workplace scenario-based questions.

Fingers crossed for the results! 😊

[EDITED] Passed the OA and Got the Interview mail