[watt]

Wouldn't you actually be motivated to take the 6 hour assignment to get away from high-stress workplace that is taking also weekends and with long commute, to land a position that has proper work-life balance, higher salary and maybe closer too?

Sorry, you are describing a candidate who's working life is hell and sounds to me they would be willing to do whatever it takes to get out and get on.

[jmchuster]

i mean, if they want me to do a 6 hour take home test for a chance at interviewing, that would be a strong indicator that they DON'T very much value work life balance.

Now, consider if they instead said, we don't need you to come onsite for 4 hours at all, just take this 6 hour at home test at your own leisure at your own time, and we will give you an offer based on it. That would speak volumes about the type of company and culture that they are.

[pyrale]

I would very much doubt that a company that demands 6h of overtime even before we sigh a contract actually offers good work-life balance. If I was cynical, I would wonder whether this test's purpose is to filter for that reason.