> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.equip.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Randomizing Programming and SQL Questions

> Give each candidate a random variant from a question pool.

<Tip>
  Attach multiple questions to a single Programming or SQL test, and each candidate receives one of them at random. This makes leaked questions far less useful to other candidates.
</Tip>

By default, a coding test on Equip has one **fixed question**: every candidate who takes the test solves the same problem. If you are worried that candidates might share the question with others, use the **Randomize** feature to turn that single question into a pool of interchangeable variants.

## Defining a Question Pool

You set up randomization from the assessment's settings, not from the test itself.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the assessment's settings">
    From the Recruiter Dashboard, open **Settings** for the relevant assessment and switch to the **Test Order** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click the Randomize icon">
    Find the coding test you want to randomize and click its **Randomize** icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select the questions">
    Pick the questions for the pool from the list of available coding questions, then save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

That is all it takes. The test now serves a random variant instead of a fixed question.

<Warning>
  For Programming tests, every question in the pool must keep at least one **enabled programming language**. The builder blocks you from saving a variant with no languages enabled.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Randomization applies to **Programming** and **SQL** tests, which contain exactly one question per test by design. To test more coding skills, add another coding test to the same assessment.
</Note>

## How Variants Are Assigned

When a candidate starts the test, Equip picks **one question at random** from the pool you selected. Candidates in the same batch usually get different problems, so a shared question is far less likely to help anyone else.

Assignment is automatic. You cannot choose which candidate gets which variant, and candidates never see the other questions in the pool.

You keep full visibility after the attempt: coding test results show exactly **which question the candidate attempted**, along with their submitted code and score.

<Tip>
  Keep the questions in a pool at a **similar difficulty level** so scores stay comparable across candidates. Since each candidate is graded on a different problem, an uneven pool makes shortlisting by score less fair.
</Tip>

## Related Resources

* [Do Candidates See the Same or Random Questions?](/same-or-random-questions) - How randomization works across every test type
* [Creating a Custom Programming Test](/custom-programming-test) - Build your own coding questions to include in a pool
* [Supported Programming Languages](/programming-languages) - Languages and versions available in coding tests
* [Creating an Assessment](/create-assessment) - The full builder walkthrough, including the Test Order tab