The Amazon Online Assessment (OA) is one of the most talked-about technical screenings in the software engineering world — and with all that buzz comes a flood of misinformation.
If you're preparing for Amazon's OA in 2025, it's crucial to separate fact from fiction so you can focus on what really matters.
Let’s debunk 7 of the most common Amazon OA myths — and set the record straight.
Myth 1: “Amazon OA is only about coding.”
** Truth:** Amazon OA has multiple parts — not all involve coding.
- OA1 is algorithm-heavy: coding + debugging.
- OA2 (Work Simulation) focuses on decision-making and Amazon's leadership principles.
- Some candidates even receive OA3, which may involve system design or logic tasks.
Ignoring the non-coding sections is one of the biggest reasons qualified candidates get filtered out.
Myth 2: “You have to get both coding problems 100% correct to pass.”
** Truth:** You don’t need perfection — Amazon looks for strong overall performance.
- Partial credit is awarded for passing test cases.
- Clean code, correct logic, and thoughtful variable naming help.
- Debugging and behavioral sections also influence the overall score.
Don’t panic if you can’t solve both problems fully — aim for a solid brute-force first, then optimize.
Myth 3: “You’ll have plenty of time to solve the problems.”
** Truth:** Time is extremely tight — and that’s intentional.
Most candidates receive:
- 70 minutes for 2 coding questions
- 15–20 minutes for 1 debugging task
- 45–50 minutes for OA2 behavioral simulation
The test isn’t just about solving problems — it’s about solving them **under pressure, just like you would on the job.
Myth 4: “LeetCode Hard is required to pass Amazon OA.”
** Truth:** Amazon mostly asks LeetCode Medium problems.
The focus is on:
- Common algorithm patterns
- Clean implementation
- Edge case handling
Very few OA problems are in the "Hard" category — unless you're applying to senior or bar-raiser roles.
If you're confident with Medium-level problems across sliding window, trees, prefix sums, and graphs — you're already in great shape.
Myth 5: “OA2 is just a formality — it doesn’t really matter.”
** Truth:** OA2 (Work Simulation) is highly weighted, especially for new grads and interns.
It evaluates:
- Leadership alignment
- Prioritization
- Communication and ownership
Many candidates fail the process after OA2, despite doing well on coding.
Treat OA2 as seriously as the coding section — study Amazon's 14 Leadership Principles and practice decision-making scenarios.
Myth 6: “Debugging questions are simple and not worth preparing for.”
** Truth:** Debug questions are deceptively tricky.
They test your ability to:
- Read unfamiliar code
- Spot logical and syntactical bugs
- Fix issues quickly under time pressure
Missing one debugging question can cost you — spend at least a few sessions practicing this section.
Myth 7: “Everyone gets the same OA questions.”
** Truth:** Amazon uses multiple question pools and rotates questions frequently.
Two candidates applying for the same role in the same week may get:
- Different algorithm problems
- Unique work simulation scenarios
- Varied debug snippets
Don’t rely on leaked problems — focus on mastering patterns, not memorizing questions.
Final Thoughts
Misinformation wastes time and causes unnecessary stress. Here’s what you really need to know:
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Coding is all that matters | OA2 is equally important |
| You must score 100% | Partial credit counts |
| You’ll get easy debug problems | They're subtle and time-limited |
| Everyone gets the same questions | The test is randomized |
Success in Amazon OA comes from understanding the structure, preparing smart, and staying calm under pressure.
Want real Amazon OA practice questions, debug challenges, or OA2 coaching?
Check out 👉 ProgramHelp.net — they offer:
- Amazon-tagged mock coding problems
- Work Simulation walkthroughs
- Debugging practice tests
- 1-on-1 prep with real Amazon offer holders
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