To give a different opinion, any company that doesn't do a take-home gets lower priority during my job search. My favorite interview was HR screen -> 30 minute chat with another programmer -> take-home -> final interview that included a take-home review.
I didn't end up getting the job but it was easily the best and least anxiety inducing interview I've ever been through.
Your timeline is best case scenario though. Your example timeline could happen and then they bring you onsite and ask you to do an in-person challenge as well. Now you’ve done all of that and still get ghosted.
Well, in that case, I assume you wouldn’t be interested at working for any on the top paying companies in the industry. None of them require “take home tests”.
You're right in that assumption but not because you putting words in my mouth. I said companies that don't do take-homes get lower priority during scheduling.
I didn't end up getting the job but it was easily the best and least anxiety inducing interview I've ever been through.