Updated April 2026 · 16 min read · Technology · 1.5M+ employees worldwide
| Company | Amazon.com, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Seattle, USA |
| Key divisions | AWS, Retail, Operations, Consumer, Devices, Advertising |
| Assessment types | Work Style Assessment, Work Sample Simulation, SHL Numerical/Verbal, technical coding |
| Core framework | 16 Leadership Principles — the foundation of EVERY Amazon assessment |
| Key insight | 50-80% of candidates are rejected at the assessment stage |
Amazon's assessment process is uniquely built around its 16 Leadership Principles. Unlike other employers that use generic cognitive tests, Amazon's assessments specifically evaluate whether your work style, decision-making, and behaviour align with how Amazon operates. Understanding these principles is not optional — it's the single most important preparation step.
Stage 1: Online application. Submit via amazon.jobs. Standard details plus role-specific screening questions.
Stage 2: Amazon Work Style Assessment (~15 minutes). Amazon's custom personality test, sent to nearly every applicant. You rate statements about workplace preferences on a scale — critically, the neutral option ("Neither Agree Nor Disagree") has been removed, forcing a directional answer on every question. Your responses are measured against the 16 Leadership Principles. Key principles to understand: Customer Obsession (not just focus — obsession), Ownership (think long-term, act on behalf of the company), Bias for Action (calculated risk-taking over analysis paralysis), and Earn Trust (self-critical, listen attentively). Consistency checks: some questions appear twice with slight variations to detect contradictions.
Stage 3: Work Sample Simulation (20-60 minutes). A virtual task simulation relevant to your specific role. You'll receive emails and instant messages from a virtual team lead and team members, presenting workplace scenarios that require prioritisation, multitasking, and data-driven decision-making. Scenarios are presented with charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and tables. Every decision should reflect the Leadership Principles. This assessment measures how you work under pressure, handle competing priorities, and resolve customer issues.
Stage 4: SHL cognitive tests (some roles). Amazon uses SHL numerical reasoning (10 questions in 18 minutes, interactive format with charts and data) and verbal reasoning for roles requiring analytical skills. The SHL tests evaluate data interpretation, percentage calculations, and reading comprehension.
Stage 5: Interviews. Telephone or virtual interview (45-60 minutes) with behavioural questions rooted in Leadership Principles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). For final rounds, expect 5-7 back-to-back interviews including a "Bar Raiser" — an interviewer from an unrelated department who provides an objective assessment of your suitability.
Customer Obsession: Start with the customer and work backwards.
Ownership: Think long-term. Never say "that's not my job."
Bias for Action: Speed matters. Calculated risks over paralysis.
Earn Trust: Listen attentively, speak candidly, treat others respectfully.
Dive Deep: Operate at all levels, stay connected to details.
Have Backbone; Disagree and Commit: Challenge decisions respectfully, then fully commit.
TestSolve handles the SHL cognitive component — numerical and verbal reasoning questions within the Work Sample Simulation and standalone SHL tests. Press F8 when encountering data interpretation questions or chart-based calculations and the AI delivers the answer to your phone instantly. Try a free solve.
As of 2026, Amazon's assessment process has evolved to include a combination of technical evaluations and behavioral assessments. For Software Development Engineer (SDE) roles, candidates typically face an online assessment comprising two coding questions to be completed within 90 minutes. These questions often test algorithmic and data structure knowledge, with varying difficulty levels. Additionally, a Work Style Assessment is included, designed to evaluate how well a candidate's work preferences align with Amazon's Leadership Principles. This section consists of 38 statements and is generally untimed, though most candidates complete it in about 15 minutes. ([tsatestprep.com](https://www.tsatestprep.com/amazon-assessment-test/?utm_source=openai))
Recent candidate experiences highlight the importance of thorough preparation. For instance, a candidate shared that during the Work Simulation, they were presented with emails and chat messages from virtual colleagues, requiring them to choose the best course of action in realistic workplace scenarios. This underscores the need for applicants to be familiar with Amazon's work environment and decision-making processes. ([interviewhelp.io](https://www.interviewhelp.io/blog/posts/amazon_oa?utm_source=openai))
To enhance your chances of success, consider the following tips from recent candidates:
By incorporating these insights and strategies, candidates can better navigate Amazon's assessment process and improve their prospects of securing a role within the company.
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