u/Kumar_ayush11656

Genuine question for developers and recruiters here.

Most college placement processes seem to follow the same pattern:

- Aptitude

- DSA / coding test

- Technical interview

- HR round

But a hackathon is a completely different environment.

You’re given a problem and limited time. You have to figure out what to build, choose the tech stack, write code, debug it, work with teammates, and actually present something at the end.

That feels much closer to what developers do in real projects.

At the same time, I don’t think hackathons can replace fundamentals. Someone can build an impressive project and still have weak CS fundamentals or DSA skills.

So I'm curious:

If you were hiring a fresher, what would you value more?

1. Strong DSA + coding test performance

2. Multiple meaningful hackathon/project experiences

3. A combination of both

And for students - do you think spending your time on hackathons actually improves your chances of getting hired, or are placement tests still the game you have to optimize for?

Would love to hear experiences from people who have actually been through the process.