Table of Contents
Amazon Interview Process & Aptitude Test Study Guide
What Does Amazon Do?
Amazon is one of the United States 'Big 5' companies in the IT industry, alongside Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft. The company focuses on e-commerce, digital streaming, cloud computing, and AI (Artificial Intelligence). According to Statista, Amazon is the leading e-retailer in the United States reporting $386 billion dollars in net sales for 2020.
If you'd like to prepare for an Amazon job interview, the MockQuestions interview Q&A practice set is an excellent starting point. Access over 40 Amazon practice interview questions with answer advice and answer examples here.
Amazon's Recruitment Process
Amazon's exact recruitment process varies between roles and departments; however, these are the interview stages you could potentially go through:
Stage 1: Online Application & Resume Screening
Stage 2: Recruiter Session
Stage 3: Online Aptitude Assessments
Stage 4: Virtual Interviews
Stage 5: On-Site Interviews (AKA: The Loop)
Stage 6: Hiring Decision Meeting & Job Offer
Stage 1: Online Application & Resume Screening
Once you find the job of your choice, you'll apply via Amazon's online career portal. You'll provide a cover letter, resume, and other information regarding your background and skills. Then, your resume and application go through a screening process for potential fit.
Stage 2: Recruiter Session
If a current Amazonian referred you for a role, an Amazon Recruiter might contact you first. This stage of the interview process is a relaxed conversation with an Amazon Recruiter or a Human Resources team member. During this call, the person might ask you questions like:
- Why Amazon?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Which skills do you have that are most transferable to Amazon?
- Which Amazon Leadership Principle resonates with you the most?
Overall, the Recruiter needs to determine if your skills and attitude towards work are a fit for the position and the company. If the Recruiter believes there is a potential match, they will move you to the next interview stage. This stage is Amazon's Online Aptitude Assessments, also called OA's. Not all candidates receive a call from an Amazon Recruiter. Instead, some move straight into the Online Assessment stage.
Stage 3: Online Aptitude Assessments (AKA: OA's)
Amazon uses Online Assessments to get to know you as a candidate and measure your readiness and fit for the position. The company uses these assessments for a range of job categories. When vetting candidates for a specific job, each person is given the same evaluation. Each person is graded against the same benchmarks and using the same metrics. This practice helps to eliminate hiring bias and ensures the competition is fair.
The type of assessments and how many you complete will vary depending on the role. However, most candidates complete a Workstyle Assessment and a Work Sample Simulation as a baseline. You may also need to complete a Writing Sample Evaluation and other Job-Specific Assessments.
Workstyle Assessment
Styled around Amazon's 16 Leadership Principles, this assessment ensures you are a fit for Amazon's workplace culture, which they often call "peculiar.
Amazon's Workstyle Assessment takes most candidates 10-20 minutes to complete. Candidates are given a series of questions and statements. They must choose which statement best reflects their work style.
For example, Amazon may provide you with a statement like this:
You are right a lot, and you won't apologize for this trait. You attribute this to having strong judgment and good instincts.
1) Strongly Agree
2) Agree
3) Neither Agree nor Disagree
4) Disagree
5) Strongly Disagree
You will need to choose your most preferred option from the five answer choices.
Work Sample Simulation
If asked to complete an Amazon Work Sample Simulation, you'll be required to complete a series of virtual tasks related to your role of interest. The Work Sample Simulation typically takes 20 -60 minutes.
The Work Sample Simulation will touch on your problem-solving, task prioritization, communication, and teamwork skills. If applying for a technical or administrative-based role, you might be asked to interpret and enter data or resolve a hypothetical customer issue.
Some of the tasks or decisions you will need to make during this simulation will be based on Amazon's Leadership Principles, which we review here.
Writing Sample Evaluation
Depending on the position you're interviewing for, the Hiring Managers at Amazon may ask you to complete a writing exercise. Amazon often presents this writing exercise to candidates applying for roles such as Technical Project Manager (TPM).
Amazon states on their careers website that they do not ask for PowerPoint or slide-style presentations. This is the company's explanation as to why:
"At Amazon, we don't do PowerPoint or any other slide-oriented presentations. Instead we write narratively structured memos and silently read one at the beginning of each meeting in a kind of "study hall." These papers generally range from one to six pages and articulate the project goal(s), approach to addressing it, outcome, and next steps. Given this unique aspect of our culture, and the impact these papers have on what decisions we make as a company, being able to articulate your thoughts in written format is a necessary skill."
The Amazon Hiring Managers assess your writing sample based on how clearly you express yourself and how well you structure your thoughts.
Job-Specific Assessments
Amazon hires full-time, part-time, and seasonal employees for a large range of positions across numerous job categories. Some of the departments and roles that may require pre-employment assessments include:
- Financial Analysts
- SDE's (Software Development Engineers)
- Cloud Support Team Members
- BIE's (Business Intelligence Engineers)
- MBA Interns
- Maintenance Technicians
- Area Managers
- Warehouse Team Members
- Solutions Architects
- Cloud Support
The type of job-specific assessment you will receive depends on the role for which you are interviewing. Learn more about the range of assessment types here.
Stage 4: Virtual Interviews
Amazon may ask you to complete two rounds of virtual interviews. One interview is likely to be with an Amazonian who has been in the position you are applying for.
The other virtual interview will be with a hiring manager or a 'Bar Raiser.' There is no exact order in which these two take place. If you don't know what a Bar Raiser is, we discuss this term in the Q&A section in this study guide) at the bottom of this guide.
The interviewer(s) will let you know at this stage if you will be required to complete any job-specific exercises or online assessments.
Virtual Interviews are:
- Typically 45 to 60 minutes in length
- Primarily structured using behavioral-based interview questions.
- Held by phone or Amazon's internal video platform called Chime
After your virtual interview, Amazon leaders strive to get back to you with a response within 2 business days.
Stage 5: Stage 5: On-Site Interview (AKA: The Loop)
Amazon refers to this interview stage as The Loop. This stage is typically on-site; however, these interviews might take place virtually depending on circumstances or your location. The Loop generally is one full day of multiple interviews. If needed, you can request to split this time between two half days.
Loop Interviews are:
- Four rounds of interviews
- Typically 45 to 60 minutes in length (per interview round)
- Generally led by a Team Member, Hiring Managers, and a Bar Raiser
- Primarily structured using behavioral-based interview questions. Depending on the position you're applying for, you may be asked technical and case questions.
- Held on-site or using Amazon's internal video platform called Chime
Stage 6: Hiring Decision Meeting & Job Offer
Once you have completed the Amazon interview stages, the Amazonians who interviewed you will review their interview notes and decide on your candidacy. After your final interview, you should have a response within 5 business days. During this time, the Amazon Recruiters may be calling your job references and conducting background checks if required for the role.
If you receive a job offer, you can expect a phone call or an in-person meeting to review the offered salary and other compensation details.
What Kind of Job-Specific Aptitude Tests Does Amazon Use?
Depending on the position to which you're applying, Amazon may assess your skills and abilities in the following categories:
- Numerical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Logical Reasoning
- Situational Judgement
- Mechanical Reasoning
- Numerical Error Checking
- Data Error Checking
Assessment Type: Numerical Reasoning
What kind of questions are on a Numerical Reasoning test?
A Numerical Reasoning test will include questions about percentages and ratios, financial analysis, number sequences, and more.
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Numerical Reasoning?
Amazon asks Numerical Reasoning questions to assess a candidate's ability to quickly and accurately reason with numbers.
Numerical Reasoning question example:
Which number is closest to 15% of 40?
a) 4
b) 6
c) 8
d) 40
e) 60
Assessment Type: Verbal Reasoning
What kind of questions are on a Verbal Reasoning test?
In a Verbal Reasoning test, the candidate is given a passage of text and asked to interpret the text by answering questions. The answers are usually in a multiple-choice format where the test taker answers, 'True,' 'False,' or 'Cannot Say.'
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Verbal Reasoning?
Amazon asks Verbal Reasoning questions so they can assess a candidate's comprehension and understanding skills.
Verbal Reasoning question example:
Apple has four major products in rotation: Macbook, the Mac, iPhone, and iPod.
First-quarter sales of each product in 2021 have been mixed. Sales of Macbooks have increased in the first quarter from 12% to 21% while iPhone sales have decreased from 32% to 25%. The iPod headphones have also decreased by 8% in the first quarter, selling only 117,000 units.
This trend has puzzled experts given the last 5-year trends of increased sales of all four products. Some blame the shifting economy, others say that Apple is updating their iPhone models too frequently for consumers to be able to consistently keep purchasing. What really puzzles some experts is that despite the 7% decrease in iPhone sales during this first quarter, they continue to be the highest-grossing item on the list. It is anticipated, however, that iPhone and iPod sales will return to a positive trend in 2022.
What is the overall conclusion of the passage?
a) iPhones sales are lower than Macbooks.
b) Apple has four major products in rotation.
c) iPhones and iPod sales will return to a positive trend.
d) Experts are puzzled given the last 5-year trend.
Assessment Type: Logical Reasoning
What kind of questions are on a Logical Reasoning Test?
Logical Reasoning tests typically include a series of images with a series of changing patterns. The goal is to determine the sequential changes and correctly determine the next change in the sequence. Some questions show basic changes, while others can be more challenging and feature two or more variables that require closer examination.
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Logical Reasoning?
Amazon asks Logical Reasoning questions to assess your ability to quickly and accurately reason using keen perception and observation skills. Your performance on a Logical Reasoning Test will help Amazon understand how strong you are in logical problem-solving.
Logical Reasoning question example:
Which of the following patterns would follow in the given sequence?
Seven of our products " A, B, C, D, E, F, and G" are each advertised in our store windows. The display of the products is constrained by the following rules.
Either B or E has to be displayed fourth.
B must be displayed some spot before F.
C must be displayed immediately before G.
E cannot be displayed right before or right after F.
D either goes first or last in the display window.
Which of the following could go first in the display window?
a) F
b) G
c) A
d) Can't Determine
Assessment Type: Situational Judgement
What kind of questions are on a Situational Judgement test?
Situational Judgement tests (also called SJT) bring up hypothetical scenarios (typically workplace scenarios) and ask you to choose the best possible reaction from a series of potential responses.
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Situational Judgement?
Amazon assesses candidates for Situational Judgement so they can determine how you approach specific situations you may encounter in their work environment. Your responses will show the decision-makers if your work style aligns with the Amazon Leadership Principles and other expected workplace behaviors.
Situational Judgement question example:
The clothing boutique you have been working for the past nine months is considering improving its customer loyalty program. When the program was introduced 12 years ago, it was a pioneer in the industry and ahead of any competition. Over the years, very few changes have been made to the program, and it is somewhat old-fashioned.Your general manager is leading the project to improve the program and asks you to help generate fresh ideas. Your manager requests that you write a report with a series of proposals due in two weeks. You need to think about the most effective approach to take with a limited time frame. Which one of the following approaches would you choose?
a) Arrange a meeting with the general manager to brainstorm ideas based on their retail knowledge.
b) Research what the competition offers in their loyalty programs.
c) Ask customers what they are looking for in a loyalty program by asking in person and via email.
d) Call your friend who is a business major and ask if they have any suggestions on improving the program.
Assessment Type: Mechanical Reasoning
What kind of questions are on a Mechanical Reasoning Test?
Mechanical Reasoning Tests assess your understanding of mechanical concepts and how mechanical equipment and tools work. Mechanical Reasoning tests usually contain multiple-choice questions that you need to answer under fast-paced timed conditions. These questions touch on engineering and other technical topics.
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Mechanical Reasoning?
Amazon assesses a candidate's mechanical reasoning skills as a way to measure their ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts. The speed at which a candidate can solve a mechanical problem will show the interviewers how quickly the candidate can solve issues under pressure.
Mechanical Reasoning question example:
In the diagram shown below, which pulleys are turning clockwise?
a) A and C
b) B and D
c) C and D
d) A and E
Assessment Type: Numerical Error Checking
What kind of questions are on a Numerical Error Checking test?
Under timed conditions, candidates need to check a series of numbers for errors. Most error-checking questions provide a set of data with multiple choice answer options.
Why does Amazon assess candidates for Numerical Error Checking?
Amazon gives Numerical Error Checking tests to assess the ability to identify errors from data sets. These sets could seem confusing to someone trying to rush through an administrative-related task.
Numerical Error Checking question example: a) 13579132469817 b) 13597132468917 c) 13579132468917 d) 15379132468917 What kind of questions are on a Data Error Checking test? Under timed conditions, candidates need to check a series of written information for errors. Most error-checking questions provide a set of data with multiple choice answer options. Why does Amazon assess candidates for Data Error Checking? Amazon gives Data Error Checking tests to assess the ability to identify errors from data sets. These sets could seem confusing to someone trying to rush through an administrative-related task. Data Error Checking question example: Data Error Checking question example: a) azuretech@gmail.com b) azurtech@ymail.com c) azurtech@gmail.com d) azurtech@hotmail.com Suppose you are interviewing for a technical role. In that case, your Amazon assessments will be different from roles focused on logistics or customer service, for instance. Amazon technical interviews include multiple-choice questions surrounding: If you are interviewing for a technical role, Amazon Hiring Managers might ask you to whiteboard. A whiteboard interview assesses the candidate's technical and non-technical skills. The candidate receives a coding-based question, and they must sketch out their solution on a whiteboard. A whiteboard question might be, "Walk us through the design process for creating a better time tracking tool." Amazon has 16 leadership principles the company uses as a foundation for all job interviews. Regardless of the role you're applying for, it's essential that you know and understand these principles. Customer Obsession Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. Ownership Leaders are owners. They think long term and don't sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say "that's not my job." Invent and Simplify Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by "not invented here." As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time. Are Right, A Lot Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs. Learn and Be Curious Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. Hire and Develop the Best Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice. Insist on the Highest Standards Leaders have relentlessly high standards "” many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed. Think Big Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers. Bias for Action Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking. Frugality Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense. Earn Trust Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team's body odor smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best. Dive Deep Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are skeptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them. Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly. Deliver Results Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle. Strive to be Earth's Best Employer Leaders work every day to create a safer, more productive, higher performing, more diverse, and more just work environment. They lead with empathy, have fun at work, and make it easy for others to have fun. Leaders ask themselves: Are my fellow employees growing? Are they empowered? Are they ready for what's next? Leaders have a vision for and commitment to their employees' personal success, whether that be at Amazon or elsewhere. Success and Scale Bring Broad Responsibility We started in a garage, but we're not there anymore. We are big, we impact the world, and we are far from perfect. We must be humble and thoughtful about even the secondary effects of our actions. Our local communities, planet, and future generations need us to be better every day. We must begin each day with a determination to make better, do better, and be better for our customers, our employees, our partners, and the world at large. And we must end every day knowing we can do even more tomorrow. Leaders create more than they consume and always leave things better than how they found them. It's essential to prepare for Amazon's assessments but beware of over-preparing or over-thinking what's to come. Amazon leaders want you to showcase your genuine self rather than curate what you think they want to hear or the outcome you believe they want to see from your assessments. Q: What are Amazon Online Assessments? A:Sometimes referred to as Amazon OA's, these assessments are a series of pre-employment tests given to applicants to ensure a strong fit for the position and Amazon's unique company culture. Q: At what stage of Amazon's interview process is an Online Assessment given? A:Typically, candidates receive Online Assessments after their resume is screened in or after one of the phone interview rounds. Job-specific evaluations can occur during any part of the recruitment process. Q: Where do Amazon Online Assessments take place? A: Amazon holds hiring events and on-site interview days where assessments might take place. Aside from these days, most evaluations happen virtually. Usually, a link to the test comes to the candidate via email. Q: What kind of Online Assessments are Amazon applicants given? A: Most candidates, regardless of their job title, are given the Amazon Workstyle Assessment. This assessment is similar to a personality test. Some candidates need to complete other aptitude assessments related to specific skills, such as Situational Judgement. And others are asked to complete job-specific OA's such as coding tests for technical and engineering positions. Q: How many questions are there on an Amazon Online Assessment? A: Depending on the test, you may encounter between 15 to 30 questions per module. For instance, you might need to complete 20 Numerical Reasoning questions, 30 Verbal Reasoning questions, and 25 Logical Reasoning questions. All of this will depend on the job for which you're interviewing. The Amazon Workstyle Assessment takes most candidates approximately 10 to 20 minutes to complete. Q: How are Amazon candidates ranked? A: The score a candidate receives in their online assessments results in their placement into one of five categories. These categories label candidates as either: 
Assessment Type: Data Error Checking
Additional Types of Amazon Assessments
Amazon's Leadership Principles
How to Prepare for Amazon Pre-Employment Assessments
Helpful Tips for Amazon Candidates Completing an Assessment
Common Questions About Amazon Assessments
The managers in charge of hiring for the role can choose which category (or categories) they'd like to entertain candidates from, except for Strongly Not Recommended. Amazon Hiring Managers and Recruiters are not allowed to interview Strongly Not Recommended candidates.
Q: How quickly do I get the results of my Amazon aptitude test?
A: Amazon leaders are dedicated to providing timely feedback to candidates. Regardless of your test results, the company commits to providing you with updates within 2 business days of your virtual interview and 5 business days after your on-site interviews. Overall, the entire Amazon interview process takes approximately 30 days to complete.
A: Ready to begin practicing for your Amazon Online Assessments? Visit our Amazon Workstyle Assessment Practice Test to get started.