Backend Developer Assessment Template
A language-agnostic backend hiring test covering API design, database modeling, caching, and systems thinking — in 30+ languages.
What this template measures
Every skill needed for a backend developer hire, covered across MCQ, coding, and essay questions.
API Design
REST/GraphQL semantics, versioning, pagination, error handling.
Database Modeling
Schema design, normalization, indexing, constraints.
Concurrency & Async
Language-specific async patterns, race conditions.
Caching & Performance
Cache strategies, invalidation, N+1 avoidance.
Auth & Security
JWT, sessions, OAuth, CSRF, rate limiting.
Observability
Structured logging, metrics, tracing basics.
Sample questions from this template
A preview of the questions you'll see when you use this template.
You're building a pagination endpoint. Which approach is best for a list that updates frequently?
- A.Offset/limit
- B.Cursor-based pagination
- C.Page numbers with cache
- D.Random sampling
A /login endpoint issues JWTs. Which is the LEAST secure place to store the returned token on the client?
- A.httpOnly secure cookie
- B.memory (JS variable)
- C.localStorage
- D.sessionStorage
Implement `POST /tasks` that: - Accepts { title, due_at, priority } in JSON - Validates: title required (1-100), due_at ISO8601 future, priority in {low, med, high} - Returns 201 with created task + id on success - Returns 422 with per-field error details on validation failure
Given `orders(id, user_id, amount, created_at)` and `users(id, name)`, write a query that returns for each user: their total order count, total amount, and their rank by amount across all users. Single query, no procedural code.
Your service takes 3 seconds per request. Walk through how you'd investigate and the top 5 interventions you'd consider. Include tradeoffs.
Scoring rubric
How candidates are evaluated on this template.
Frequently asked questions
What languages are supported?+
30+ including Python, Node.js, Go, Java, C#, Ruby, Rust, PHP, Kotlin. Candidates pick their preferred language; you set the allowed set per assessment.
Can I customize this template?+
Yes. Every question, time limit, weighting, and rubric dimension is fully editable. Use the template as a starting point and tailor it to your role and seniority level.
Does this template include AI cheat detection?+
Yes. All ClarityHire assessment templates ship with code coherence AI, keystroke biometrics, and paste detection enabled by default. You can dial integrity level per role.
How do I reuse this template across multiple jobs?+
Clone the template when you create a new job posting. Your customizations, question pool, and rubric copy over — only the job-specific branding changes.
Related assessment templates
Other role-specific templates you might want to customize.
Launch Your Backend Assessment Today
Customize this template and invite candidates in minutes.