Stack Overflow has added Dev IQ Scores to their Profiles
If you have been browsing around your developer story recently, you might have noticed this blip:
PluralsightIQ is a company created in 2004 to help companies gauge their developer’s skill level. They have partnered with Stack Overflow to bring their “IQ” scores to developer’s profiles.
You can test yourself in skills ranging from HTML + CSS to more broad skills like Graphic Design.
They promise to do all this, in just 20 questions.
At first I was a little skeptical, but I was surprised when I took the HTML test. The questions challenged me, and they became easier or harder based on my previous answers.
Your test results compare you against others that took the test, and once you complete a test Pluralsight gives you course recommendations based on your score.
In addition to giving you “IQ” scores, the website is a social network for learning. In your feed tab, you can see courses, authors to follow, and skill assessments to take.
In addition to this, like it’s open source counterpart DevGaido, Pluralsight arranges paths to follow based on where you are on your developer journey.
In addition, you can request mentors for a price depending on the mentor’s personal rate.
It seems like a strong competitor to a multitude of services that already exist, packed into one bundle.
Pricing
The current pricing plan for the service is $299 per year annually, or $29 monthly.
IQ tests are free to take, however the pricing plan allows access to the library of courses on the site.
If you sign up with stack overflow’s promotion, you get access to the Stack Overflow Slice Subscription, which grants you access to a measly one course, on using stack overflow and other stack exchange sites.
Is it worth it?
With the many free and open source alternatives, it is hard to tell. With it’s focus centered on developers, the courses are focused on growing yourself as a developer, with the extensive course library. However, many other subscription services and boot-camps cost less than the 29$ monthly price-tag. I think I see a use for companies training their employees with this service, but I do not see a justification for the average freelance developer. Feel free to let me know in the comments your experience with this service! :D
