Turned down an eight-hour take-home and told them why

Spec was a full CRUD app with auth, tests, deployed, plus a written architecture doc. Their estimate: "about three hours." Realistic estimate: my entire weekend.

I wrote back saying I'd be glad to do a two-hour scoped version, or a live session of any length, but I couldn't commit a weekend to a fourth-round exercise. Fully expected to be dropped.

They came back with a 90-minute pairing session instead. I didn't get the offer, but I got my weekend and a much better read on the role than a take-home would have given me.

Worst case you find out early that they don't value your time.