We at Uconomix are in process of recruiting some bright programmers. Posted the opening on Naukri and as expected flood of resumes is coming in. We have set up an online logical test comprising of only 10 questions on maths, logic and reasoning. Some 900 candidates have taken the test so far. Results – only 59 have managed to score 7 or more, only 20 have scored 9 or 10 and only 12 people have got perfect 10.

A good 359 people have left the test midway and never submitted the answers. And from those who have completed the test, the average score is 2!

We have interviewed 20 or so candidates so far and recruited two. Hunt is still on as we want to recruit 2 or 3 more.

I am wondering how can people who have Engineering and all such degrees with wonderful academics be so stupid!

Sample one question -

Bill purchased a chair for $200. Next month he sold it to Tom for $150. Next month he purchased it back for $180 and then sold it again to Nick for $220. Did he make profit or loss in the entire transaction? How much was it?

We have people writing all sorts of answers to this question, some say he made loss some say he made a profit. Some sample answers -

No Profit No loss
26.9 %
LOSS of Rs.20
Profit 90$
YES HE MAKE A PROFIT OF RS 10

Most of the candidates concluded that he made a loss. But some 45 people actually thought he made a profit on the entire transaction! I would like to borrow some money from these guys!! And I don’t understand why did many of them use “Rs.” in the answer. The question mentions the figures in Dollars. This gives us a hint how much attention a guy is paying to minute details.

A large computer education institute invited us to their center to recruit some of their students. 27 students took our test. Highest score? Four!

This is pathetic! I am worried. I am shocked! Where are the brains??!! And what will these people do in their lives? This is common sense!! An average Indian holding a college degree is so stupid?

This is not about job readiness. People can be trained for a job. But what about intelligence? How do you make people intelligent? How do you compel them to use their brains? Programming is all about logic, Engineering education is all about maths. People are not able to solve simple maths problems!

I ask people a question in Interview – “If 2 typists can type 2 pages in 2 minutes, how much time does it take for one typist to type one page?” One minute! Promptly comes the answer!! I look at the candidate straight faced and ask “take some time, give it some thought and tell me again” They think and give some answer. Many stick to 1 minute. Their interview ends in the next 5 minutes.

Why is common sense so uncommon!!??