Patreon has previously used HackerRank to screen software-engineering internship candidates before recruiter calls and live technical interviews. A recent software engineering internship candidate reported receiving two coding problems: one rated easy-medium and one rated medium. Another candidate received the HackerRank assessment about a week after applying. Full-time or senior candidates may instead begin the interview process with a recruiter call and a live coding challenge.

When to Expect the OA for Your Role

For internships, expect the OA early in the process. You may receive an invitation within weeks of applying. If you pass the assessment, you may then interview with a recruiter. For experienced roles, the equivalent may be a one-hour coding test scheduled in advance rather than an OA. Read the invitation carefully to confirm the format.

Does Your Online Assessment Matter?

The screen determines whether you advance to the next stage. HackerRank checks hidden test cases. Patreon does not specify a passing score or publish a policy covering every role and language. Complete the first solution and cover its edge cases before moving to the second problem.

Compiled List of Patreon OA Question Types

A useful practice mix includes sorting, path parsing, interval logic, stateful pricing, randomness, and bounded request handling.

1. Closest Numbers — sorting followed by adjacent-difference scanning.
2. Simplify Path — stack-based directory normalization.
3. Merge Intervals — sorting and consolidating overlapping ranges.
4. Logger Rate Limiter — bounded requests with timestamped state.
5. Random Pick with Weight — prefix sums and binary search.
6. Shortest Word Distance — one-pass index tracking over strings.
7. Binary Tree Maximum Path Sum — recursive gains with global state.
8. Strong Password Checker — layered string constraints and greedy edits.
9. Apply Discount Every n Orders — shopping-cart totals with persistent counters.

Patreon Interview Questions

Recently asked in real interviews

These questions were asked recently in real Patreon interviews. Practice these and 4,000+ other questions from 1,000+ companies on Lodely.

CD Command

coding Easy

Random Generator

codingmachine-learning Medium

Shopping Cart Pricer

coding Medium

Password Generating

coding Easy

Frontend Coding

codingcoding Medium

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How to Prepare and Pass the Patreon Online Assessment

Train for 10 days in 3 blocks. Start with untimed path, interval, and hash-map problems. Next, code stateful classes, such as a cache or cart pricer, and write your own tests. Finish with 3 mock assessments, each containing 2 problems and lasting 60 minutes. Use the final 5 minutes of each mock to test empty inputs, repeated values, and boundary indices, and to write complexity notes.

On Lodely, pair these timed drills with Patreon coding questions and editorials. Lodely also makes it easier to revisit a weak pattern without rebuilding your schedule.

Patreon Interview Question Breakdown

Simplify Path

Type: String parsing with a stack. Prompt: Normalize a list of navigation commands into a canonical location. The Trick: Repeated separators, current-directory tokens, and attempts to move above the root require consistent handling. What It Tests: Parsing discipline and edge-case handling.

Merge Intervals

Type: Sorting and intervals. Prompt: Merge overlapping intervals. The Trick: After sorting the intervals, compare each interval only with the current merged range. What It Tests: Data ordering, invariants, and a concise implementation.

Apply Discount Every n Orders

Type: Stateful object design. Prompt: Price a basket with a periodic rule. The Trick: Keep product lookup, quantities, and order count separate so state changes for only one order at a time. What It Tests: Translating requirements into code and designing a maintainable class.

What Comes After the Online Assessment

Internship candidates who pass the initial interview can expect a short recruiter conversation followed by a 1-hour technical interview. Full-time interview loops may include additional coding, system design, and hiring-manager interviews. Review every OA edge case before the live interview. Patreon problems often build on an initial requirement by adding more state or constraints.

Conclusion

Focus on state management, parsing, and standard algorithms. Lodely's daily company question could help you prepare for live follow-up interviews.