A hacker-rank screening test is exactly that, an initial screening test. It tests basic aptitude and ability to implement a simple program to spec. It's not a substitute for face-to-face pairing interviews and projects.

> 1. they expect input and output in a necessarily contrived form

> 2. there is no communication or creativity involved

1. aka a spec 2. not the job of a screening test

This whole post assumes the premise that a screening test needs to fulfill all the requirements of a full interview process.