Node.js Development Skill Assessment

Written by Coursera • Updated on

Test your Node.js skills with this quick assessment. Answer 10 multiple-choice questions to get your score, then check the Scoring Guide to find your level and recommended learning path.

Node.js Programming Quiz

Node.js is a powerful, open-source, cross-platform runtime environment that allows developers to run JavaScript on the server side. Unlike traditional JavaScript that runs in the browser, Node.js enables backend development with JavaScript, making it easier for developers to use a single language for both front-end and back-end code. Its event-driven, non-blocking I/O model makes it highly efficient and suitable for building scalable, high-performance applications. 

Node.js is particularly popular for real-time applications such as chat apps and online gaming, as well as for developing RESTful APIs and microservices. Its vast ecosystem of modules, available via the Node Package Manager (NPM), allows developers to easily add functionality to applications. With its speed, scalability, and versatility, Node.js is becoming an essential tool for modern web development.

Answer the following skill-based Node.js questions and click Submit to calculate your score. Use your score to find recommendations that align with your current skill level and explore career paths that interest you.

Test Structure

  • 10 multiple-choice questions

  • Takes approximately 5-10 minutes

  • Immediate results with career recommendations

  • Custom learning paths based on results

1. What is the Event Loop in Node.js?

A UI component
A mechanism that allows Node.js to perform non-blocking operations
A testing framework
A database query loop

2. What's the difference between process.nextTick() and setImmediate()?

They are the same
process.nextTick() runs before I/O events, setImmediate() runs after
setImmediate() is faster
process.nextTick() is deprecated

3. How do you handle errors in async/await?

async function getData() {
  // What's the best practice?
}
Use callbacks
Use try/catch blocks
Ignore them
Use events

4. What is middleware in Express.js?

A database connector
Functions that have access to request, response objects, and the next function
A routing mechanism
A testing tool

5. What is the purpose of the cluster module?

To group code
To run multiple instances of Node.js to handle load
To organize files
To connect to clusters of databases

6. What is the difference between exports and module.exports?

No difference
module.exports allows exporting a single object, exports is a reference to it
exports is newer
module.exports is deprecated

7. How do Streams work in Node.js?

They are for video streaming only
They handle data in chunks rather than loading entirely in memory
They are deprecated
They are for testing only

8. What is the purpose of the Buffer class?

To cache data
To handle binary data and work with streams
To buffer network requests
To create arrays

9. What's the difference between require and import?

No difference
import is ES modules, require is CommonJS
require is faster
import is deprecated

10. What is the purpose of the worker_threads module?

For UI threading
To run CPU-intensive tasks in parallel
For network threading
It's deprecated

Scoring Guide & Course Recommendations

Your quiz score above aligns with a general proficiency level of beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Match your score to the ranges below and explore the recommended course.

0-30: Beginner Level

40-70: Intermediate Level

80-100: Advanced Level

Skills Covered by Level

As you progress in your Node.js career, different levels have different skills, and here are some common ones.

Beginner Level

  • Node.js basics

  • NPM basics

  • Asynchronous programming

  • Basic Express.js

  • File system operations

  • Basic error handling

Intermediate Level

  • Express.js middleware

  • Authentication

  • Database integration

  • RESTful APIs

  • Testing

  • Performance basics

Advanced Level

  • Microservices

  • Real-time applications

  • Performance optimization

  • Security

  • DevOps integration

  • Architecture patterns

Career Paths

Your Node.js programming career path will be unique to your strengths and interests. Below are some common roles at different skill levels. Explore our Web Development Career: Decision Tree to understand better how your Node.js programming skills can take your career in an exciting direction.

  • Beginner Level: Junior Node.js Developer, Backend Developer Trainee, Full Stack Developer Intern

  • Intermediate Level: Node.js Developer, Backend Developer, Full Stack Developer

  • Advanced Level: Senior Node.js Developer, Backend Architect, Technical Lead

Key Technologies to Learn

Some key technologies to focus on while pursuing your career in Node.js programming are below:

  • Node.js

  • Express.js

  • MongoDB/PostgreSQL

  • Redis

  • Docker

  • REST/GraphQL

Node.js is a valuable addition to a developer's skill set. This versatile technology is commonly used in various software development and web development careers. Develop back-end apps using Node.js as part of the beginner-level IBM Full Stack Software Developer Professional Certificate on Coursera.

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