Definition
Live coding test — A live coding test has a candidate write, and usually run, real code in a real development environment during a live session. The environment typically includes basic tooling and the ability to execute code against test cases, letting the candidate see whether a solution works rather than assuming correctness on paper.
The format has become the standard alternative to a whiteboard interview at companies that want to evaluate a candidate's real coding process, including how they debug a failing test, none of which shows up in a written exercise. It can happen with a human interviewer watching, or through an AI interview that runs the same conversation and evaluates the result.
Either way, the defining feature is that the code actually executes during the session.
The Intervieux angle
Intervieux's technical AI interview runs candidate code for real, across languages including JavaScript, Python, and Java, against hidden and visible test cases, so a live coding test on the platform behaves like an actual development environment.
Frequently asked questions
Does a live coding test always have a human interviewer present?
No. Some run with a human watching and asking questions; others run through an automated or AI-driven system that presents the problem and evaluates the code.
What's the difference between a live coding test and a whiteboard interview?
A live coding test uses a real environment where code is written and executed. A whiteboard interview has the candidate write code by hand without compiling it, testing communication more than syntax.
Can you use references or documentation during a live coding test?
It depends on the employer's rules, usually stated up front. Some allow normal documentation lookup; others restrict outside references entirely.
Related pages
Run real code, not a static quiz
Intervieux's technical AI interview executes your actual code across multiple languages with real test cases.