A code comprehension round with Gemini as the assistant is being piloted on some US teams. Other coding rounds stay AI-free.
Reports say the pilot covers junior and mid-level roles on selected US teams, and that candidates read an existing codebase, fix a bug and extend it with Gemini available. The standard algorithm rounds and the phone screen are reported as unchanged, with no AI allowed. Most of the detail comes from career-centre and prep-site write-ups, so ask your recruiter whether your loop includes the pilot.
Sources last checked 2026-10-10.
Reading an existing codebase, fixing what is wrong with it and making it faster, with an assistant available. Placed calls this format code comprehension.
- 01uptime — Read, Fix, Speed UpmediumCode comprehensionRead first, then fix, then speed it up, with the assistant open throughout.
- 02logstream — Read, Fix, Speed UpmediumCode comprehensionA second codebase in the same format.
- 03timecard — Short PaycheckseasyDebug only, assistant closedTwo defects and no assistant: the reading skill by itself.
- 04A standard coding roundCoding, no assistantThe other coding rounds are reported as unchanged, so practice those without AI as well.
These are Placed's own practice rounds, chosen for the kind of round described above. They are not Google's questions and Placed is not affiliated with Google. Formats change and differ by team: confirm yours with your recruiter.