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Rubric for Estimation Interviews

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Note: For more detail on how Exponent's interview rubrics work, check out this lesson.

Now that you know how to answer estimation questions, let's look at how these are scored.

PM Estimation Rubric

Core Skills to Show in Estimation Interviews

Estimation questions generally assess critical thinking and culture fit. Companies often use a scoring system with five options ranging from "missing" or "very weak" to "very strong." Interviewers score core qualities on this five-point scale during each round and take turns sharing feedback during the hiring discussion.

Critical thinking skills include problem-solving, comfort with numbers, and the ability to identify possible errors.

Culture fit signals include communication, collaboration, and creativity.

Let's dive into each.

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is a must for any PM. In fact, it's said to be one of the core pillars of Google's (secret) interview rubric, called "general cognitive ability."

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to ask questions, rushed into an answer.
  • Weak: Serious errors or significant guidance needed in scoping the problem.
  • Neutral: Scoped the problem, but missed key element(s).
  • Strong: Asked good questions and used answers effectively to scope a solvable problem.
  • Very Strong: Asked insightful questions; set up an easy calculation and an accurate answer.

Comfort with Numbers

You'll often find PMs in big tech often do quick calculations on the fly. This requires comfort using numbers to check assumptions and assess opportunities.

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to calculate on the fly or show competence with numerical relationships.
  • Weak: Attempts to quantify answer were sloppy or needed lots of guidance.
  • Neutral: Arrived at a fair answer with a nudge or two.
  • Strong: Calculations were accurate and quick, approximations were helpful and appropriate.
  • Very Strong: Above-average "ease" in using numbers to an advantage; creative use of approximation, "rules of thumb", etc.

Ability to Identify Possible Errors

It's very important when answering off-the-wall estimation questions that you pinpoint where you're wrong. This signals self-awareness -- that you'll be able to check yourself on-the-job.

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to discuss possible errors.
  • Weak: Failed to reasonably justify decisions when pressed and/or made bad judgment calls.
  • Neutral: Correctly identified some possible mistakes but missed others.
  • Strong: Correctly identified possible errors and suggested ways to increase accuracy with more information.
  • Very Strong: Possible errors covered thoroughly, alternatives were offered, pros / cons were neatly summarized.

Communication

All interviews assess communication skills to some degree.

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to communicate clearly despite repeated prompts.
  • Weak: Poor communication throughout; interviewer had trouble following despite prompts.
  • Neutral: Communication varied. Clear in some areas but vague / incomplete in others.
  • Strong: Good communication skills; articulated thought process clearly and consistently.
  • Very Strong: Clear, proactive communication; anticipated questions, articulated reasons for decision, "checked-in" throughout.

Collaboration

You're expected to lead the discussion, but interviews are opportunities to collaborate, and this is encouraged! Interviewers want to see how you'll work on a team, so don't forget to involve your interviewer in the discussion.

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to take the lead, didn't respond to guidance.
  • Weak: Struggled to stay on track without guidance.
  • Neutral: Took the lead and performed well, but may have needed redirects or hints.
  • Strong: Effectively led the discussion, involved the interviewer throughout.
  • Very Strong: Took the lead and made exceptional use of the interviewer, discussion was more collaboration than interview.

Creativity

Most FAANG companies and startups look for creative and enthusiastic problem-solvers, and estimation questions are great opportunities to show off these qualities.

  • Very Weak or Missing: Failed to show enthusiasm or creative thinking.
  • Weak: Solutions were bland, didn't show interest in the problem.
  • Neutral: Showed reasonable insight, but nothing exceptional.
  • Strong: Thought processes logical, but creative.
  • Very Strong: Exceptionally creativity and "out of the box" thinking on display; logic maintained, novel solutions found.
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