Hi there! The next step in your application process is the online coding exercise. Before you start it, look over the prepwork we've prepared for you. Especially if you're new to coding, this prepwork is meant to introduce you to the programming concepts you'll need to succeed on the exercise.

Read all of this document. But here's the executive summary:

0. Read the Introduction to Programming.
1. Do the practice problems. Review the solutions.
2. When you're well prepared (and not before), start the exercise! We don't give any preference to applicants based on how soon they start the exercise, so take your time to prepare properly!

We will ask you to solve a short coding exercise composed of four or five coding problems that measure basic programming knowledge. The exercise is timed: you will have up to 45 minutes to complete the exercise.

The coding exercise is meant to be accessible to everyone. Many of our applicants have never programmed before. Everyone should review these prepwork materials, which are intended to teach you the fundamental concepts of programming so that you can succeed on the exercise.

Please see the setup instructions document.

You will want to prepare for the coding exercise so that you do your best.

First, you should review our Introduction to Programming. This will cover the fundamental concepts of programming you'll need to know. We recommend that you at least skim them even if you already know how to program:

• Introduction To Programming I
• Introduction To Programming II
• Introduction To Programming III
• Introduction To Programming Summary

Second, we provide practice problems. Do these after you have read the three parts of Introduction to Programming:

• Practice Problems

Doing the practice problems will build your familiarity with Ruby, and give you a good idea what the level of difficulty is on the coding exercise. It is not required, but we strongly suggest that you complete all the practice problems before taking the coding exercise. We want you to be well prepared.

We have designed the exercise to be done in Ruby, which is the language of Rails. The readings and practice problems we've provided are in Ruby.

You may also answer the exercise in Python or JavaScript. We will in no way penalize you for using Python or JavaScript. You should use whatever language you are most comfortable with; we want you to do your best.

Some languages are not well suited for the coding exercise. If you know another language and would strongly prefer to answer in that, please contact us: admissions@appacademy.io.

Take all the time you need to prepare for the exercise. We want you to do your best. We do not give any preference to applicants based on how soon they take the exercise. Prematurely beginning the exercise before completing the prepwork will hurt your application. Taking your time to prepare thoroughly will help you.

The exercise will take up to 45 minutes. Please have time set aside so that you can complete the exercise unhurried by other commitments.

Please do not search Google for answers to the problems; it is very easy for us to tell when solutions have been taken from Google. Please do not post the problems to the internet.