It's your choice to interview for 4-5 positions, moreover, you will have those interviews whatsoever, so it can't be an argument :) Most chances you are applying for a high paying job and do that once in 2-3 years on average, aren't you ready to invest a week of intense effort for that? If not, you could choose to apply to a FAANG and spend 2-3 weeks studying craking the code interview-style books. How much time do you think is reasonable to invest for candidate and a company to make a decision? As a company I don't see a point in giving home excercise after an offer, but why are you asking? I will spend 12 hoirs if I consider a company better than one that offerer.