What about a case where the interviewee is given an obscure problem to solve, yet already encountered and solved the problem in a different context?
It would be difficult to classify as cheating if they did not learn about about the question from an inside source. On the other hand, it also defeats the presumed purpose of the question (i.e. to test problem solving skills).
I was in that situation before, explained how I knew the solution, and did not get the job. While there were probably other reasons for their decision, they said they wanted to give the position to someone who was pursuing a career in software development, at the end of the day the candidate is going to be up against people who would offer up the solution with out further explanation. That is an awfully good way to stifle opportunities based upon the presumed (and possibly incorrect) intent of the question.
It would be difficult to classify as cheating if they did not learn about about the question from an inside source. On the other hand, it also defeats the presumed purpose of the question (i.e. to test problem solving skills).
I was in that situation before, explained how I knew the solution, and did not get the job. While there were probably other reasons for their decision, they said they wanted to give the position to someone who was pursuing a career in software development, at the end of the day the candidate is going to be up against people who would offer up the solution with out further explanation. That is an awfully good way to stifle opportunities based upon the presumed (and possibly incorrect) intent of the question.