Design an A/B test for a search ranking change

Last updated: March 13, 2026

Quick Overview

Design an experiment to test the impact of new pricing tiers. Include sample size calculation, metrics, and analysis plan.

Stripe
Statistics & Math
Data Scientist
Stripe
March 13, 2026
Data Scientist
Phone Screen
Statistics & Math
Medium

85

6

759 solved


Design an experiment to test the impact of new pricing tiers. Include sample size calculation, metrics, and analysis plan.

This statistics question from Stripe's Phone Screen tests your ability to apply mathematical reasoning to practical problems. The interviewer expects precise definitions, correct methodology, and awareness of assumptions and limitations.

What the Interviewer Expects
  • Set up the problem formally with proper notation
  • Apply the correct statistical test with clear justification
  • Interpret results with appropriate caveats and confidence levels
  • Discuss practical significance vs statistical significance
  • Identify potential confounders and how to address them
Key Topics to Cover
Central Limit Theorem
Multiple testing correction (Bonferroni, FDR)
Probability distributions
Power analysis and sample size calculation
Causal inference basics
Conditional probability and Bayes theorem
How to Approach This
  1. Define your hypotheses (H0 and H1) clearly before performing any test.
  2. Calculate required sample size BEFORE running an experiment, using power analysis.
  3. Remember the Central Limit Theorem: sample means become approximately normal with large n.
  4. Watch for Simpson's paradox. Always segment data by key dimensions.
  5. Distinguish between statistical significance and practical significance.
Possible Follow-up Questions
  • How would you design a follow-up experiment based on these results?
  • How would you handle multiple comparisons?
  • What alternative statistical method could you use here?
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Sample Answer
Setting Up the Problem

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Solution Approach

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