Well the comments on this article and the reaction are pretty par for the course in the programming community. Regardless of how amazing magic whatever you are in college math, this kind of hiring stuff is enormously time consuming. Most people in software are already employed and don’t want to use their vacation days to play games with some company. Don’t forget we are in demand. Don’t play games. Ask how long an interview will be and pass on those longer than an hour (unless they are followups). Ask what they consist of and pass on those that have components you don’t personally value — because if their top priority includes solving widgety puzzles, think about who you’ll be working with. Don’t be afraid to say no.