Marechiare wrote:
>> Same test works for programming. Someone who can
>> quickly solve a set of simple programming problems,
>> will do well with more complex problems, and vice versa.
>
> That often is not true, there are "fast coders" to solve "simple
> programming problems" and there are "problem solvers". These are
> different types of mindset.

Don't take it from me.

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/HighNotes.html


>> Some math professors give their Calculus students a set of simple algebra
>> problems in a timed test. Everyone in the class can solve the problems, 
>> but
>> there is a strong corellation between _how quickly_ someone can solve 
>> them,
>> and their final grade in Calculus.
>
> It depends upon the University. At some, I beleive, you could get
> better marks if you were able to solve the problems others were not
> able to solve, even if  they were faster at the simple tasks.

I'm afraid you missed the point. Those who can solve the simple problems 
quickly, are found to be better at solving more complex problems.

It seems intuitive/obvious to me. If I don't have to think about the 
low-level details, I can better see the big picture. If every time I have to 
think about the order of association, I get bogged down in the details.


>> As a manager, from time to time I have to sort resumes and conduct
>> interviews. After you've done it a few times, it's easy to tell the smart
>> ones from the not-so-smart ones.
>
> Einstein would fail your interview, most probably :-)

I have no idea how you arrived at this conclusion.

Vitaliy 

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