PHP Developer Assessment Template
Curated php developer assessment template — modern php 8.x features, composer & psr standards, frameworks (laravel, symfony) — calibrated to mid level and shipped with the integrity layer pre-configured. Modern PHP candidates are bimodal: WordPress-shaped generalists and Laravel/Symfony engineers shipping typed code. The assessment has to separate them, because the job ladders diverge fast.
What this template measures
Every skill needed for a php developer hire, covered across MCQ, coding, and essay questions.
Modern PHP 8.x features
Modern PHP 8.x features
Composer
Composer & PSR standards
Frameworks
Frameworks (Laravel, Symfony)
PDO
PDO & query optimization
PHPUnit testing
PHPUnit testing
Security
Security (XSS, SQLi, CSRF)
Sample questions from this template
A preview of the questions you'll see when you use this template.
Which of these is the most idiomatic way to handle modern php 8.x features in production?
- A.Hand-rolled implementation with no library support
- B.Battle-tested library + thin abstraction
- C.Copy from the latest blog post
- D.Avoid the pattern entirely
A php developer reports a regression in composer & psr standards. Which signal is MOST likely to identify the root cause?
- A.Application logs at INFO level only
- B.Recent deploy diff + relevant trace
- C.Number of open tickets
- D.Restarting the affected service
Implement a small module that demonstrates frameworks (laravel, symfony). Include unit tests for happy path and one edge case.
Hint: Prefer clarity over cleverness; tests count.
Refactor the supplied snippet to fix a subtle bug in pdo & query optimization without changing the public API. Explain the fix in 2–3 sentences.
Hint: Read the tests; they encode the contract.
In 200–300 words, describe how you'd evaluate a tradeoff between modern php 8.x features and phpunit testing on a real project.
Walk us through a recent php project where composer & psr standards was the deciding factor. (90 seconds)
Scoring rubric
How candidates are evaluated on this template.
Frequently asked questions
Who is this PHP Developer assessment template for?+
Hiring teams screening php developers at mid level. Modern PHP candidates are bimodal: WordPress-shaped generalists and Laravel/Symfony engineers shipping typed code. The assessment has to separate them, because the job ladders diverge fast. Use it for inbound applicants, sourced candidates, or as a take-home equivalent before live interviews.
Can I customize the PHP Developer template?+
Yes — and we encourage it. The default PHP template covers the common case; the right move for your team is usually to edit the rubric to match how your hiring committee actually scores.
Does this PHP Developer template include AI cheat detection?+
Yes — and the PHP template uses sane defaults that 90% of teams keep as-is. Strictness is per-job, so you can run a relaxed take-home and a strict on-site with the same template.
Can php developers preview sample questions before the timer starts?+
Yes. The PHP Developer template supports unscored practice questions so candidates warm up before the timed section starts. You're measuring skill, not test anxiety.
How do I reuse this PHP Developer template across multiple jobs?+
Clone the PHP Developer template into a new job and your customizations carry over. Only job-specific branding (title, hiring manager, deadlines) needs to change per req.
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Run your PHP assessment in under an hour
Start screening PHP Developers in minutes — no credit card, full integrity stack, free tier for small teams.