AI Assistant in Interviews

Last updated: March 10, 2026

The AI Assistant is integrated into the HackerRank Interviews platform to support you during your interview.

The AI Assistant operates in the following modes:

  • Unguarded: Allows you to interact freely with the AI, similar to real-world AI coding tools.

  • Guarded: Provides help with syntax, platform navigation, and conceptual guidance but does not generate complete solutions.

Note: The hiring company sets the AI Assistant mode for your interview.

If your interview includes the AI Assistant:

  • The interviewer may inform you before the interview begins.

  • The AI Assistant appears in the right-side panel of the interview interface.

    image (2).png

    If you do not see the panel, the feature is not enabled for your interview.

Note: 

  • The AI Assistant is available for the following question types:

    • Coding

    • Projects

      • Frontend

      • Backend

      • Full-Stack

      • Mobile

      • Generative AI

    • Code Repository

  • Interviewers can disable the AI Assistant for specific questions.

Key features

The AI Assistant offers the following interactive features within the interview IDE:

  • Chat Interface: You can ask questions about the problem, your code, or specific files. You must tag the problem statement to provide context. The AI Assistant uses the tagged content to generate accurate responses.

    AI-Assisted IDE Enhancements (AI Add-on) problem statement.gif

    You can use Restore Checkpoint to return the AI Assistant to a previous state when needed.

    AI-Assisted IDE Enha.gif

  • Inline Code Completions: As you type, the AI Assistant suggests code directly in the editor. You can accept or ignore these suggestions.

  • Agent Mode: You can switch to a mode for extended, multi-step interactions. You can ask the AI Assistant to write or edit code, explain logic, or perform tasks.

    ai1.gif

    • When you request an action, a Pending tool call dialog appears.

    • Click Allow to proceed or Cancel to stop the action.

  • Model Switching: You can switch between available AI models such as Claude-sonnet-4.6, Gemini-3 Flash, Gemini-3 Pro, or GPT-5.4. You can also select Auto Mode, which automatically picks the best model based on performance.

    image.png

Feature availability by mode

The table below shows the availability of AI Assistant features in each mode:

Feature

Guarded Mode

Unguarded Mode

Chat Interface

Available

Available

Inline Code Completions

Not Available

Available

Agent Mode

Not Available

Available

Model Switching

Not Available

Available

Interviewer view

  • The interviewer can see your AI interactions in real time, including chat messages and accepted code suggestions.

  • Each interviewer may choose to evaluate your use of the AI Assistant differently. They will inform you of their expectations before the interview, or you can ask them during the session. This may include how you craft prompts, the decisions you make, and your level of coding independence.

Best practices

  • Use the AI Assistant to support your workflow, not replace it.

  • Ask for clarifications or syntax help when necessary.

  • Review and understand all AI suggestions before using them.

  • Communicate your reasoning with the interviewer while using AI.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I choose not to use the AI Assistant?

Yes. You can choose not to interact with the AI Assistant during your interview.

Does the AI Assistant provide full answers or solutions?

It may provide full solutions, but it does not guarantee that they are complete or correct.

Does my interviewer see what I type in the AI Assistant?

Yes. The interviewer can see your prompts and the AI’s responses in real time and in the interview report.

Is the AI Assistant available in every interview?

No. Availability depends on the interview setup and the type of question.