There. That's it. All this is a far-from-optimal filter for the total strangers. Get a foot in the door with an established insider and you get right to the last interview(s). No WBs, no take-home projects.
In my experience they were even apologetic "sorry, we have to do this, let's get over it".
Once the pull to get you in is in place - it will help to put a checkmark in internal bureaucracy checklist and minimize unrelated interactions.