How do I prepare for an 'aptitude for programming' test?

Whiteboarding questions are quite common when you do an in-person interview. It's usually a basic algorithm problem like http://c2.com/cgi/wiki?FizzBuzzTest or http://stackoverflow.com/questions/52002/how-to-check-if-the-given-string-is-palindrome for which you need to whiteboard an answer to. Generally syntax isn't something that's concentrated on, it's more your problem solving techniques. Remember to go through you entire problem solving workflow - do not simply jump in to the code. Clarify the problem. Do you have questions about it? Ask them and write down the answers given. Repeat the problem back to your interviewers in your own words. Make sure everything is crystal clear. Then, and only then start writing code.

It could be anything, there's no standard "aptitude for programming" test. I would guess that it might involve mathematical concepts and attention to detail. Is this your first software-oriented interview? Don't feel too bad if you don't get the position--interviews take practice. Most people don't get hired at the first company they apply to.

There could be various test which would help in accessing how you think logically on a problem, the approach and the result. The judgement is reserved on how the interviewee assess and hope you don't land up with someone who is terrible. It can be normal piece of code and you would be asked to write/explain the output. Code for Fibonacci series, prime numbers Maybe a code with recursion (favorites of many) IMO the interview is to gauge your skill and also interest in programming since they wouldn't expect you to know everything in detail. So don't stress out just concentrate on approach and write in keeping readability in mind and everything will work out.

These aptitude for programming tests evaluate the skills and abilities required in programming. These tests usually include, Logical reasoning Numerical problem solving Ability to follow complex procedures Programming structures in pseudocode (for experienced person) Besides above we also need to evaluate, Ability to learn new skills Time management Teamwork

It could be the test described in http://www.eis.mdx.ac.uk/research/PhDArea/saeed/paper1.pdf That's a description of http://www.eis.mdx.ac.uk/research/PhDArea/saeed/ research into learning programming. Looks like Dehnadi's got a http://www.eis.mdx.ac.uk/research/PhDArea/saeed/S_Dehnadi_ppij-2006__2.pdf, too. I almost hope that Dehnadi's test catches on. It would be a relief not to have to decipher Word-induced-typos in a "10 Questions about Java" multiple choice test that arrogant head-hunters give out these days.

I had to do an aptitude test for a programming position myself recently; it was just normal iq questions you have to solve some sequences etc in an allotted amount of time; at the end there where some unicode & ascii questions which I didn't manage to finish off (still got the post so I don't think they were that important XP). Probably you're going to have something similar. When I passed the test I was called in for an interview where they asked me about myself, my background in programming & education etc.