I think this essay understates how difficult the coding test screenings can be. I do agree that it is not necessary to memorize obscure algorithms - second year data structures and algorithms will do. But (based on my experience) the progress you need to make in workable code in 45 minutes at s whiteboard id too great to refer to any of this as a “simple coding test”. I know some might view this as a quibble around semantics, and “simple” is subjective. But words have meaning and we have to draw the line somewhere. I maintain that this is not simple for a reasonable definition if simple.
This is easily remedied since I can be exact: designated “hard” questions from Cracking the coding interview are fair game, and you are expected to make substantial coding progress at the white board in 45 min.
I’d like to wrap up by coming back to my first point - excellent essay, worth bookmarking and reading in full.