[bediger4000]

My experience:

If done in a multiple-choice test fashion, coding tests are worse than useless. The questions usually hinge on minutia of syntax, like operator precedence. Also, they're usually done in Word, so auto-capitalization can cause problems. For instance, in Java, "boolean" and "Boolean" act differently. Word, in its infinite auto-capitalization wisdom, can make test-writers look like boobs to test-takers.

Coding tests when done with experience programmers watching via a collaboration tool, could be illuminating to the watchers. Seeing little things happen could tell a lot about the test-taker.

Unfortunately, the point of a coding test seems to be to allow some kind of administrative filtering on candidates before the interview-with-a-programmer, so they're often multiple choice and a hindrance to finding the right people.

I'll take multiple-choice coding tests, but only for their humor value. I would have a distinct bias against a potential employer that used them, and a larger bias against a potential employer that put any faith in coding tests.