>"When this all began, it was with the justification that it's not about getting the right answer, it's about seeing how you think and approach a problem."

Indeed. Now the default seems to be companies sending out a Hacker Ranks test consisting of 5 separate problems, a countdown timer and zero human interaction.

I can't help but think that recruiters are playing a part in pushing for this online Hacker Rank test bullshit.

It feels to me that as the quality of people working as recruiters goes further into the toilet the reliance on the Hacker Rank puzzle test seems to increase.