Connect HackerRank to Kula

Last updated: September 25, 2026

Connecting HackerRank lets you send coding tests to candidates from inside Kula and get the results back on the candidate's profile. You connect it once with an API key, then add HackerRank as an activity on any job stage.

Who can do this: Super Admin and Admin connect the integration. Anyone on the job's hiring team as a recruiter, hiring manager or coordinator can send tests. 

Where to find it: connect: Settings → Organization → Organization integrations → Assessments. Send: the job → the candidate → the assessment activity on a stage, or the candidate's actions menu.

Connect HackerRank

  1. Go to Settings → Organization → Organization integrations.

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  2. Find the HackerRank card under Assessments.

  3. Turn the toggle on. The HackerRank Settings panel opens.

  4. Paste your key into Recruiter-type User API Key.

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  5. Click Verify API key.

  6. Once the status shows as Active / Connected, you're ready to go! If it fails, click Reauthorize to retry.

You need a HackerRank API key generated by a recruiter-type user account with company admin permissions on your HackerRank plan. Kula cannot generate this key for you.

Kula checks the key against HackerRank before saving it. If the key is wrong you will see "Incorrect API key. Double-check the key and try again." and nothing is saved.

Use HackerRank on a job

Once connected, HackerRank becomes an activity you can add to a interview stage, so candidates who reach that stage get the test automatically. You can also send a test ad hoc from a candidate's profile.

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Using HackerRank as a Location in a Normal Interview

Recruiters can also set HackerRank as the location when scheduling a regular interview — both ad-hoc and via Activity Email. This is useful when you want to conduct a standard interview but host it within the HackerRank environment.

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Send it to a candidate

Adding the activity doesn't invite anyone. The invitation goes out when you send it for a candidate.

  1. Open the candidate and find the assessment activity on their stage.

  2. Click Send assessment.

  3. On Details, choose the reviewer(s) who'll score the result, and confirm the test.

  4. On Scorecard, set the scorecard the reviewers will fill in.

  5. Send.

To send a test to one candidate without the interview plan, choose Send HackerRank assessment (or Send HackerRank interview for a live session) from the candidate's actions menu.

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After it's sent, the activity has Edit assessment to change it and Cancel to withdraw it. Cancelling deletes the assessment permanently.

Track the result

HackerRank emails the test to the candidate, and the status on the activity follows them:

Status

What it means

Sent

Sent but not started

In Progress

The candidate has started

Submitted

Finished; score and summary available

Expired

The link expired before the candidate finished

Click View Report to open HackerRank's detailed report. When the result comes back, your reviewers are asked to score it. See Sending assessments and viewing results.

Good to know

  • The candidate needs an email address. Without one, the send action is greyed out.

  • You need a HackerRank for Work account. Without one, the action is greyed out with the message "You need a HackerRank for work account to perform this action".

  • Tests are built in HackerRank. Kula reads your library and sends the invitations.

  • The report opens in HackerRank. Kula links to it rather than storing a copy.

  • The same test can't be added twice to one stage.

  • Turning the toggle off disconnects HackerRank. Tests already sent to candidates aren't withdrawn.

  • Only Super Admins and Admins can connect or disconnect the integration.

FAQ

Where do I get the API key? From a HackerRank recruiter-type account with company admin permissions, on an enterprise plan with a recruiter licence.

My API key was rejected. The most common cause is a key from a personal HackerRank login instead of a recruiter account.

I can't see my test in the list. Kula reads the tests in the connected HackerRank account. Check the test exists there and is active.

What's the difference between a HackerRank assessment and a HackerRank interview? An assessment is a take-home test the candidate does alone. An interview is a live coding session with your interviewers.

Can I change the reviewers without re-sending the test? Yes. Changing reviewers doesn't send the candidate another email.

Need help?

If you have questions or need assistance, reach out to us at support@kula.ai or use the in-app chat.