We're talking about "basic fizz-buzz level coding questions". It sounds like you had a bad experience with something else that we weren't talking about.
(As for 'topic known in advance', I'd suggest that if you don't know what topics that you might be asked about in a job interview, maybe you shouldn't be interviewing for that job.)
Perhaps you should start listening.
> This isn't some high-level algorithm analysis on a whiteboard with a panel of examiners grilling you.
Happened to me just three months ago. The req is still open, wonder why?
To reiterate:
- Exams have a topic known in advance.
- Exams never have a person sitting there waiting for the answer.
- Exams are never 1 or 2 questions binary pass/fail with incredibly high stakes in unfamiliar territory.
Which is the brake pedal? If only.