Amazon L6/L7 Interview Readiness Quiz¶
A comprehensive 20-question assessment to evaluate your preparation across all interview dimensions
Instructions¶
This quiz takes 15-20 minutes and evaluates your readiness across technical competencies, leadership experience, and cultural alignment. Answer honestly - accurate self-assessment is crucial for effective preparation.
How to score: Each question has 5 possible answers worth 1-5 points. Add up your total score and refer to the interpretation guide at the end.
Target completion time: 15-20 minutes
Technical Competency Assessment (Questions 1-8)¶
Question 1: System Design Experience¶
How would you rate your ability to design large-scale distributed systems?
A) I can design basic web applications with a database and load balancer (1 point) B) I can design systems handling thousands of users with appropriate caching strategies (2 points) C) I can design systems for millions of users with proper database scaling and microservices (3 points) D) I can design platform-scale systems for tens of millions of users with advanced patterns (4 points) E) I regularly design systems at massive scale with innovation in architecture patterns (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 2: Coding Proficiency¶
How quickly can you solve LeetCode medium-level problems?
A) I struggle with medium problems or need significant help (1 point) B) I can solve most mediums in 45-60 minutes with some guidance (2 points) C) I can solve most mediums in 30-40 minutes independently (3 points) D) I can solve mediums in 20-30 minutes with clean, optimized code (4 points) E) I can solve mediums quickly and often find multiple optimal approaches (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 3: AWS Services Knowledge¶
How deep is your practical experience with AWS services?
A) I've used basic services like EC2 and S3 in tutorials or small projects (1 point) B) I've deployed applications using core AWS services in development environments (2 points) C) I've built production systems using 5-8 AWS services with proper configuration (3 points) D) I've architected complex systems using 10+ AWS services with deep understanding of trade-offs (4 points) E) I'm an AWS expert who has designed innovative solutions and influenced service usage patterns (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 4: Database and Storage Design¶
How would you rate your database architecture and scaling experience?
A) I understand basic SQL and have used simple database setups (1 point) B) I can design normalized schemas and understand basic indexing strategies (2 points) C) I've implemented database scaling through read replicas and basic sharding (3 points) D) I've designed complex data architectures with multiple database types and advanced scaling (4 points) E) I'm a database architecture expert who has solved novel scaling challenges (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 5: Performance and Scalability¶
What's your experience with performance optimization and scalability challenges?
A) I understand basic performance concepts but haven't dealt with real scalability issues (1 point) B) I've optimized application performance and resolved some scalability bottlenecks (2 points) C) I've led performance improvements that delivered measurable results at moderate scale (3 points) D) I've solved complex performance challenges affecting millions of users or high-throughput systems (4 points) E) I'm known for innovative performance solutions and have influenced industry practices (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 6: Distributed Systems Understanding¶
How well do you understand distributed systems concepts and trade-offs?
A) I understand the basics but haven't worked with distributed systems (1 point) B) I've worked with distributed systems and understand basic concepts like load balancing (2 points) C) I can explain CAP theorem and have dealt with consistency/availability trade-offs (3 points) D) I've designed complex distributed systems and solved challenging distributed systems problems (4 points) E) I'm a distributed systems expert with deep understanding of advanced patterns and novel solutions (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 7: Technology Selection and Architecture¶
How do you approach technology selection and architectural decisions?
A) I typically use familiar technologies and follow existing patterns (1 point) B) I research options and make informed choices based on project requirements (2 points) C) I systematically evaluate trade-offs and can justify technology decisions to stakeholders (3 points) D) I regularly influence technology standards and architectural decisions across teams (4 points) E) I'm recognized as a technology thought leader who shapes industry practices (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 8: Technical Communication¶
How effectively can you explain complex technical concepts to different audiences?
A) I can explain technical concepts to other engineers but struggle with non-technical audiences (1 point) B) I can communicate technical decisions to immediate team and some stakeholders (2 points) C) I regularly present technical topics to cross-functional teams and management (3 points) D) I'm comfortable explaining complex technical strategy to executives and external stakeholders (4 points) E) I'm recognized as an exceptional technical communicator who influences at industry level (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Technical Competency Subtotal: ___/40
Leadership Experience Assessment (Questions 9-14)¶
Question 9: People Management Experience¶
What's the scope of your people management experience?
A) I've mentored individual contributors but haven't formally managed anyone (1 point) B) I manage 2-5 engineers and handle basic performance management (2 points) C) I manage 8-15 engineers across 1-2 teams with hiring and development responsibilities (3 points) D) I manage 15-30 engineers across multiple teams and have developed other managers (4 points) E) I lead organizations of 30+ engineers and am known for exceptional people leadership (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 10: Cross-Team and Cross-Functional Influence¶
How effectively do you work across organizational boundaries?
A) I primarily work within my immediate team with limited external collaboration (1 point) B) I coordinate with 1-2 other teams and some cross-functional partners regularly (2 points) C) I lead initiatives requiring alignment across 3-5 teams and multiple functions (3 points) D) I regularly influence decisions across multiple organizations and drive cross-functional strategy (4 points) E) I'm known for exceptional cross-organizational leadership and have transformed collaboration patterns (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 11: Conflict Resolution and Difficult Conversations¶
How do you handle conflicts and challenging interpersonal situations?
A) I avoid conflict and prefer others handle difficult conversations (1 point) B) I can address basic conflicts but struggle with complex interpersonal issues (2 points) C) I effectively resolve team conflicts and handle difficult performance conversations (3 points) D) I'm skilled at resolving complex multi-stakeholder conflicts and organizational tensions (4 points) E) I'm sought out for my conflict resolution skills and have resolved major organizational disputes (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 12: Change Management and Transformation¶
What's your experience leading organizational or process changes?
A) I've adapted to changes led by others but haven't led significant changes myself (1 point) B) I've implemented process improvements within my immediate team (2 points) C) I've led changes affecting multiple teams with measurable improvement in outcomes (3 points) D) I've driven major transformations affecting entire organizations with lasting cultural impact (4 points) E) I'm recognized as a change leadership expert who has transformed multiple organizations (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 13: Strategic Thinking and Vision¶
How do you approach long-term strategy and vision development?
A) I focus primarily on immediate tasks and short-term deliverables (1 point) B) I contribute to team planning and can think 1-2 quarters ahead (2 points) C) I develop strategies for my area and align team efforts with broader organizational goals (3 points) D) I create multi-year strategic vision and influence organizational strategy development (4 points) E) I'm recognized for exceptional strategic thinking and have shaped industry or company direction (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 14: Hiring and Talent Development¶
What's your track record with hiring and developing talent?
A) I've participated in interviews but haven't led hiring or development initiatives (1 point) B) I've hired a few engineers and provide basic mentoring to team members (2 points) C) I've built teams through strategic hiring and have a track record of promoting team members (3 points) D) I'm known for exceptional hiring and have developed multiple managers and senior engineers (4 points) E) I'm recognized as a talent magnet who builds world-class teams and develops industry leaders (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Leadership Experience Subtotal: ___/30
Cultural Alignment Assessment (Questions 15-20)¶
Question 15: Customer Obsession¶
How do you demonstrate customer obsession in your work?
A) I focus on technical excellence but don't regularly interact with or consider customer needs (1 point) B) I consider customer requirements when building features and fixing bugs (2 points) C) I regularly make technical decisions based on customer impact and have measurable customer success stories (3 points) D) I drive customer-centric technical strategy and have delivered major customer experience improvements (4 points) E) I'm known for exceptional customer obsession and have transformed how my organization thinks about customers (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 16: Ownership and Accountability¶
How do you demonstrate ownership beyond your immediate responsibilities?
A) I complete my assigned work well but rarely go beyond defined responsibilities (1 point) B) I occasionally help with tasks outside my immediate scope when asked (2 points) C) I regularly identify and address problems beyond my immediate responsibilities with clear results (3 points) D) I consistently take ownership of broad organizational challenges and drive solutions to completion (4 points) E) I'm known for exceptional ownership and have solved major organizational problems others avoided (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 17: Innovation and Simplification¶
How do you approach innovation and simplifying complex problems?
A) I typically follow established patterns and processes without significant innovation (1 point) B) I occasionally suggest improvements and find ways to simplify existing solutions (2 points) C) I regularly introduce innovative approaches that simplify complex problems with measurable benefits (3 points) D) I'm known for innovative thinking and have created solutions that others have adopted broadly (4 points) E) I'm recognized as an innovation leader who consistently transforms complex challenges into elegant solutions (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 18: Bias for Action and Decision Making¶
How effectively do you make decisions and drive action with incomplete information?
A) I prefer to have complete information before making decisions and moving forward (1 point) B) I can make decisions with some ambiguity but prefer clear direction from others (2 points) C) I regularly make good decisions with incomplete information and drive results effectively (3 points) D) I excel at making complex decisions in ambiguous situations and am known for bias for action (4 points) E) I'm sought out for decision-making in complex situations and have a track record of excellent judgment (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 19: Learning and Curiosity¶
How do you approach continuous learning and staying current with technology?
A) I learn what's necessary for my current job but don't actively seek additional learning (1 point) B) I stay current with technologies relevant to my immediate work and team (2 points) C) I actively learn new technologies and concepts that could benefit my organization (3 points) D) I'm known for curiosity and learning, and regularly introduce new concepts to my organization (4 points) E) I'm recognized as a continuous learner who influences industry knowledge and best practices (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Question 20: Results and Execution¶
What's your track record of delivering results and exceeding expectations?
A) I generally meet expectations but don't often exceed them significantly (1 point) B) I consistently meet expectations and occasionally deliver results beyond what was expected (2 points) C) I regularly exceed expectations and have a strong track record of delivering measurable results (3 points) D) I'm known for exceptional results and have delivered outcomes that significantly exceeded expectations (4 points) E) I'm recognized for transformational results that have changed organizational capabilities or industry practices (5 points)
Your answer: ___ Points: ___
Cultural Alignment Subtotal: ___/30
Scoring and Interpretation¶
Total Score: ___/100
Score Interpretation Guide¶
85-100 Points: Interview Ready (Excellent)¶
L6 Ready: You demonstrate strong competencies across all areas and should be confident scheduling L6 interviews immediately.
L7 Considerations: With scores in this range, you may also be competitive for L7 roles if your experience includes organizational transformation and strategic leadership.
Next Steps: - Schedule interviews within 1-2 weeks - Focus on story refinement and interview practice - Research specific teams and roles of interest - Practice articulating your impact with specific metrics
70-84 Points: Nearly Ready (Good)¶
Preparation Needed: 4-8 weeks of focused preparation recommended.
L6 Focus: You have solid foundations but need to strengthen specific areas to be competitive.
Gap Areas to Address: - Technical areas scoring below 3: Focus on system design and coding practice - Leadership areas scoring below 3: Seek additional leadership opportunities and develop stronger stories - Cultural areas scoring below 3: Develop specific examples demonstrating Amazon Leadership Principles
Next Steps: - Use targeted preparation guides for your lowest-scoring areas - Schedule mock interviews to practice weak areas - Develop 2-3 strong STAR stories for each Leadership Principle - Plan to reassess in 4-6 weeks
55-69 Points: Significant Preparation Needed (Fair)¶
Timeline: 8-16 weeks of systematic preparation recommended.
Foundation Building Required: Multiple competency areas need development before interview readiness.
Preparation Strategy: - Choose L6 vs L7 based on experience level (L6 if managing <15 engineers) - Focus first on areas scoring 1-2 points - Seek additional leadership opportunities in current role - Consider technical skill development (courses, certifications) - Build systematic story bank with quantified results
Next Steps: - Start with comprehensive skill assessment - Create structured 12-week preparation plan - Find mentorship or coaching support - Plan to reassess every 4 weeks
Below 55 Points: Extensive Preparation Required (Needs Development)¶
Timeline: 16+ weeks of comprehensive preparation recommended.
Considerations: You may want to focus on gaining additional experience before pursuing Amazon L6/L7 roles.
Development Strategy: - Seek leadership opportunities in current role - Consider technical skill enhancement through courses or projects - Build experience managing larger teams or cross-functional initiatives - Focus on developing measurable business impact in current role
Next Steps: - Complete comprehensive skills assessment - Consider 6-12 months of focused career development - Identify stretch opportunities in current organization - Reassess readiness quarterly
Detailed Score Analysis by Category¶
Technical Competency Analysis (40 points possible)¶
32-40 Points: Strong technical foundation ready for senior engineering manager roles 24-31 Points: Good technical skills with some areas needing focused improvement 16-23 Points: Technical competencies need significant development Below 16 Points: Major technical skill development required
Leadership Experience Analysis (30 points possible)¶
24-30 Points: Strong leadership experience appropriate for Amazon L6/L7 roles 18-23 Points: Good leadership foundation with some areas for growth 12-17 Points: Leadership experience needs expansion Below 12 Points: Significant leadership development required
Cultural Alignment Analysis (30 points possible)¶
24-30 Points: Strong cultural fit with clear Amazon Leadership Principle examples 18-23 Points: Good cultural alignment with some story development needed 12-17 Points: Cultural examples need strengthening Below 12 Points: Need to develop stronger examples of Leadership Principles in action
Recommended Action Plans by Score¶
For Scores 85+: Final Preparation Plan¶
Week 1-2: Story refinement and mock interview practice - Polish your top 15 STAR stories for behavioral questions - Complete 3-4 full mock interviews with experienced practitioners - Research specific Amazon teams and roles of interest
Week 2-3: Technical skill maintenance and interview simulation - Complete 2-3 system design problems per week to maintain sharpness - Solve 5-10 coding problems per week for confidence - Practice technical communication with non-technical audiences
For Scores 70-84: Targeted Skill Development¶
Weeks 1-4: Address specific gap areas identified in quiz - Technical gaps: Focus on system design patterns and AWS services deep dive - Leadership gaps: Seek stretch assignments and develop stronger impact stories - Cultural gaps: Map experiences to Leadership Principles with quantified results
Weeks 5-8: Integration and mock interview practice - Complete weekly mock interviews focusing on previous gap areas - Practice storytelling with specific metrics and business impact - Retake assessment quiz to track improvement
For Scores 55-69: Systematic Preparation¶
Weeks 1-8: Foundation building in identified weak areas - Technical: Complete structured system design and coding courses - Leadership: Seek additional responsibilities and document impact - Cultural: Develop comprehensive story bank for all Leadership Principles
Weeks 9-16: Integration and interview readiness - Begin regular mock interview practice - Focus on communication and story delivery - Plan interview scheduling based on progress assessment
For Scores Below 55: Experience Development¶
Months 1-6: Focus on gaining relevant experience - Seek promotion or role change to increase leadership responsibility - Take on high-visibility technical projects with measurable business impact - Develop expertise in cloud technologies and distributed systems
Months 7-12: Preparation and skill building - Begin systematic interview preparation using comprehensive resources - Regular reassessment to track readiness improvement - Consider interview preparation coaching or mentorship
Next Steps Based on Your Results¶
Immediate Actions (Complete Today): 1. Record your scores and identify your top 3 development areas 2. Choose your preparation timeline based on total score 3. Select appropriate resources from the SystemCraft documentation 4. Schedule regular reassessment (every 4 weeks for major preparation, every 2 weeks for final prep)
Choose Your Preparation Path: - Score 85+: Final Interview Preparation - Score 70-84: 6-Week Intensive Plan - Score 55-69: 12-Week Comprehensive Plan - Score <55: 6-Month Study Plan - focus on foundational development
Weekly Progress Tracking: Use the progress tracking templates included in this assessment to monitor improvement and maintain motivation throughout your preparation journey.
Frequently Asked Questions¶
Q: Should I target L6 or L7 based on my score? A: Generally, target L6 if you manage <15 engineers and have <12 years experience. Target L7 only if you score 80+ AND have experience managing 20+ engineers across multiple teams with organizational transformation experience.
Q: How often should I retake this assessment? A: Every 4 weeks during major preparation phases, every 2 weeks during final preparation. The assessment helps track progress and adjust preparation focus.
Q: What if I score high in some areas but low in others? A: Focus your preparation time on the lowest-scoring areas first. Amazon interviews evaluate across all dimensions - a strong technical score won't compensate for weak leadership examples.
Q: Can I schedule interviews if I score below 85? A: You can, but success rates are significantly higher with scores of 85+. Consider whether additional preparation time would improve your chances and long-term career trajectory.
🎯 Ready to begin your targeted preparation? Use your quiz results to choose the most appropriate preparation path and start building your interview readiness systematically.
This assessment reflects the collective experience of Amazon engineering leaders and successful L6/L7 candidates. Regular reassessment and honest self-evaluation are key to effective interview preparation.