Cognizant Intern Interview Questions & Experience Guide

Interview Preparation
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Cognizant Intern Interview Questions & Experience Guide

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in September 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: AMCAT-level aptitude questions.
    • Your Approach: Prepared by practicing AMCAT-level questions to get familiar with the format and difficulty.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - One-on-One Round:

    • Questions Asked: Basic questions based on my project and field of study.
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining my project clearly and how it aligns with the role.
    • Outcome: The round went well, and I received positive feedback.

Preparation Tips:

  • Practice AMCAT-level aptitude questions to prepare for the first round.
  • Be ready to discuss your projects in detail, emphasizing their relevance to the role.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. The referral helped streamline the application, and thorough preparation for the aptitude test and project discussion was key. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both aptitude and project-related questions to ace the interview.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: Applied through campus placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: Reasoning questions, blood relation problems.
    • Your Approach: Practiced basic reasoning and blood relation problems beforehand. Took my time to understand each question before answering.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. Python programming questions.
    • Your Approach:
      • For the introduction, I kept it concise, focusing on my academic background, skills, and interest in the role.
      • For Python, I explained basic concepts and wrote simple code snippets to demonstrate my understanding.
    • Outcome: Performed well and received positive feedback.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic reasoning and aptitude topics.
  • Practice common Python programming questions.
  • Prepare a clear and concise self-introduction.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. The aptitude round was straightforward, and the technical round tested my foundational knowledge. I could have practiced more Python problems to feel even more confident. For future candidates, focus on clarity in communication and thorough preparation for technical basics.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: Applied through campus placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Coding Test:

    • Questions Asked: Basics of Python (1-hour test).
    • Your Approach: Focused on fundamental Python concepts like loops, data structures, and basic syntax. Practiced coding problems beforehand to ensure familiarity with the language.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
    • Your Approach: Prepared a concise introduction highlighting my academic background and interest in the role. For strengths, emphasized technical skills and teamwork. For weaknesses, mentioned a minor area of improvement and how I was working on it.
    • Outcome: The round went well, and I received positive feedback.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on Python basics, especially loops, data structures, and syntax.
  • Practice common HR questions like “Tell me about yourself” and “Strengths and weaknesses” to answer confidently.

Conclusion:
The overall experience was smooth and well-structured. The coding test was straightforward if you know Python basics, and the HR round was conversational. I would advise future candidates to prepare thoroughly for both technical and HR rounds to ensure a good performance.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: The application was part of the campus placement process.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • What is thermal engineering?

  • Your Approach: I explained the basics of thermal engineering, focusing on its applications and relevance in real-world scenarios.

  • Outcome: Cleared this round successfully.

  • Round 2 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Introduce yourself to us.

  • Your Approach: I gave a concise introduction, highlighting my academic background, skills, and interest in the role.

  • Outcome: Cleared this round and received the internship offer.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic technical concepts related to your field.
  • Practice introducing yourself clearly and confidently.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. The technical round tested foundational knowledge, while the HR round was more about gauging communication skills. I would advise future candidates to be clear and concise in their answers and to prepare well for both technical and HR rounds.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: The process began with a resume shortlist, followed by a coding test and a technical interview round.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Details: The first round was a resume shortlist. It’s crucial to keep your resume crisp and to the point, as recruiters typically spend only a few seconds reviewing it.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.

  • Round 2 - Coding Test:

    • Details: The coding test was of medium difficulty.
    • Outcome: Cleared this round and moved to the next stage.

  • Round 3 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Python basics and SQL.
      2. Easy questions, which varied depending on the interviewer.
    • Your Approach: Focused on fundamental concepts of Python and SQL, and prepared for general technical questions.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the technical round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on Python basics and SQL queries.
  • Practice coding problems of medium difficulty.
  • Keep your resume concise and highlight relevant skills.

Conclusion:
The overall interview process was smooth and well-structured. Preparing thoroughly for the technical aspects and ensuring a strong resume helped me succeed. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on core technical skills and practicing coding problems regularly.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement in October 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Questions Asked: Resume-based screening.
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills.
    • Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: 90-minute test covering logical reasoning, English, and quantitative aptitude.
    • Your Approach: Practiced sample aptitude questions beforehand to improve speed and accuracy.
    • Outcome: Cleared the aptitude round.

  • Round 3 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Questions on C++ language and probability.
      2. Concepts like inheritance, conditional statements, and types of arrays.
    • Your Approach: Revised core programming concepts and practiced problem-solving.
    • Outcome: Successfully answered the questions and cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be confident during the interview.
  • Focus on showcasing problem-solving skills.
  • Revise core technical concepts, especially programming fundamentals.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. The key was thorough preparation and confidence. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing aptitude tests and brushing up on technical basics to perform well.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: Campus Placement

Application Process: Applied through campus placement before August 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Basic aptitude questions.

  • Your Approach: Referred to PrepInsta for preparation.

  • Outcome: Cleared the round.

  • Round 2 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. Tell me about yourself.
    2. Basic HR questions.
    3. Two to five aptitude questions.
    4. Willingness to relocate all over India.

  • Your Approach: Prepared HR questions using PrepInsta and practiced self-introduction.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared the HR round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Refer to PrepInsta for aptitude and HR question preparation.
  • Practice self-introduction and basic aptitude questions.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were manageable with proper preparation. Practicing aptitude questions and being confident in the HR round helped me clear the rounds successfully.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: I applied via Superset and was interviewed before February 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Explain about hardware.
      2. What type of hard drive is used in a computer?
      3. Explain about testing.
      4. Python-related questions.
      5. Java-related questions.
    • Your Approach: I answered the hardware and hard drive questions based on my knowledge of computer components. For the testing question, I explained the basics of software testing. The Python and Java questions were more technical, so I tried to recall relevant concepts and examples.
    • Outcome: The round was challenging but I managed to answer most questions confidently.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic hardware and software concepts.
  • Practice Python and Java fundamentals, especially common interview questions.
  • Review testing methodologies if applying for a role that involves QA or testing.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was a good learning experience. I realized the importance of being thorough with both theoretical and practical aspects of the topics. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on core concepts and practicing problem-solving in Python and Java.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: The application process involved multiple rounds, starting with a resume shortlist, followed by aptitude and coding tests, and culminating in technical and HR interviews.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Details: The first round was a resume screening. Proper alignment and formatting of the resume were crucial to make a good impression.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.

  • Round 2 - Aptitude Test:

  • Details: This round tested quantitative, logical reasoning, and English skills.

  • Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test.

  • Round 3 - Coding Test:

  • Details: The coding round consisted of 7 questions.

  • Outcome: Successfully completed the coding test.

  • Round 4 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked: The interviewer asked questions related to aptitude, coding, and my department.

  • Outcome: Cleared the technical round.

  • Round 5 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked: The HR asked why I wanted to join Cognizant and my reasons for choosing the IT profession.

  • Outcome: Cleared the HR round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Show determination and enthusiasm for joining the company during the interview.
  • Focus on aptitude, coding, and technical skills relevant to your department.

Conclusion:
The overall interview process was thorough but manageable. Proper preparation and a well-formatted resume were key to clearing the initial rounds. For future candidates, I recommend practicing aptitude and coding questions thoroughly and being clear about your motivations for joining the company.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I applied via an online platform and was interviewed in September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Written Test (AMCAT Platform):

    • Questions Asked:
      • The test had 3 sections: Quants, Logical, and English. Questions were multiple-choice and ranged from easy to moderate difficulty.
      • Example: Aptitude questions like ratio and proportion, speed-time-distance, etc.
    • Your Approach: I focused on solving the easier questions first to save time for the more challenging ones.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Introduce yourself.
      2. Why do you want to enter the IT sector?
      3. Rate your programming skills on a scale of 1 to 10.
      4. Are you comfortable coding during the interview?
      5. Define data types.
      6. Define OOPs concepts.
      7. What is memory allocation?
      8. What do you know about beams?
      9. Define thrust.
      10. Define turbines and their types.
    • Your Approach: Since I come from a mechanical background, I emphasized my core subjects while also brushing up on basic IT concepts like OOPs and programming languages.
    • Outcome: The interviewer was lenient, and I managed to answer most questions satisfactorily.

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Are you a team leader? If yes, justify.
      2. Why do you want to join Cognizant?
      3. Verification of Aadhaar Card and College ID.
    • Your Approach: I kept my answers concise and professional, focusing on my willingness to learn and adapt.
    • Outcome: The round was brief, and I was selected for the internship.

Preparation Tips:

  • Topics to prepare:
    1. OOPs concepts.
    2. Basics of C and Python.
    3. Basic programming.
  • Resources: I used online platforms to strengthen my basics and practiced ample questions.
  • Tip for others: If you belong to a core branch, focus on strengthening your basics in IT concepts.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the interviewers were supportive. I could have prepared more thoroughly for the technical round, but my core knowledge helped me compensate. My advice to future candidates is to stay calm and focus on the basics, especially if transitioning from a non-IT background.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement in September 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: No specific questions; resume was reviewed for shortlisting.

  • Your Approach: Ensured the resume was crisp and highlighted relevant skills.

  • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Logical thinking, maths, and verbal questions.

  • Your Approach: Prepared by practicing logical and mathematical problems, along with verbal reasoning.

  • Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test.

  • Round 3 - Coding Test:

  • Questions Asked: Basic loops, OOPS concepts, and language-specific coding problems.

  • Your Approach: Focused on mastering a programming language and revising core concepts like loops and OOPS.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared the coding round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be confident and honest in your answers. Avoid misleading the interviewer.
  • Practice logical thinking, maths, and verbal skills for the aptitude test.
  • Master a programming language and understand basic coding concepts like loops and OOPS for the coding round.

Conclusion:
The overall interview process was smooth and well-structured. Being prepared with a strong resume, logical thinking, and coding basics helped me clear all rounds. For future candidates, I’d advise focusing on clarity in your resume and thorough preparation for aptitude and coding tests.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via Campus Placement in July 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Coding Test:

  • Questions Asked: There were 4 coding problems and 2 SQL queries. Performance in this round determined the profile and package offered.

  • Your Approach: Focused on solving the coding problems efficiently and ensuring the SQL queries were accurate.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Interview:

  • Questions Asked: The interview lasted 30 minutes and covered OOPs concepts, project details, and real-life scenarios.

  • Your Approach: Explained OOPs concepts clearly, discussed my projects in detail, and related real-life scenarios to technical solutions.

  • Outcome: Cleared the technical round.

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked: Primarily a documents verification round.

  • Your Approach: Ensured all required documents were ready and organized.

  • Outcome: Cleared the HR round and received the internship offer.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus more on OOPs concepts as they are frequently asked in interviews.
  • Practice coding problems and SQL queries to perform well in the coding test.

Conclusion:
The overall interview process was smooth and well-structured. Preparing thoroughly for OOPs and coding problems helped me clear the rounds easily. My advice to future candidates is to focus on core concepts and practice regularly to build confidence.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: I applied via LinkedIn and was interviewed in July 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
    • Your Approach: I answered honestly, highlighting my adaptability and teamwork as strengths, while acknowledging my tendency to overthink as a weakness, along with steps I take to manage it.
    • Outcome: I passed this round and moved forward in the process.

Preparation Tips:

  • Work hard and play smart. Focus on self-awareness and be prepared to discuss your strengths and weaknesses confidently.

Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward, and being honest about my strengths and weaknesses worked in my favor. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing self-reflection to articulate your traits clearly and confidently.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: Applied through campus placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: Easy-level aptitude questions (60-minute duration). Similar questions can be found online.
    • Your Approach: Prepared by practicing basic aptitude questions and timed mock tests.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:

    • Questions Asked: General HR questions about myself and a few technical questions.
    • Your Approach: Stayed calm and answered confidently, focusing on clear communication.
    • Outcome: The interview went well, and I received positive feedback.

Preparation Tips:

  • Practice basic aptitude questions and mock tests.
  • Be prepared for general HR questions and a few technical ones.
  • Stay relaxed and confident during the interview.

Conclusion:
The overall experience was smooth, and the interviewers were friendly. Practicing beforehand helped a lot. For future candidates, just stay calm and prepare well for both aptitude and HR rounds.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: I applied through the company website and was interviewed before March 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: Cognitive test with aptitude-type questions (1-hour duration).
    • Your Approach: I focused on solving the questions systematically, managing my time efficiently to cover all sections.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Basic data structures and algorithms, including a problem statement requiring code implementation.
    • Your Approach: I reviewed fundamental concepts beforehand and practiced coding problems to ensure I could implement solutions on the spot.
    • Outcome: Performed well and advanced further in the process.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on aptitude topics like quantitative ability, logical reasoning, and verbal skills.
  • Practice coding problems, especially those involving data structures and algorithms.
  • Time management is crucial for the aptitude test, so practice solving questions under timed conditions.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with what I had prepared for. Focusing on fundamentals and practicing under timed conditions helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation in aptitude and coding basics to ace these rounds.

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: VIT, Vellore

Application Process: Applied via campus placement in September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Coding Test:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Conceptual/Code Analysis and Case Study.
    • DSA question.

  • Your Approach: Focused on solving the DSA question efficiently within the given time.

  • Outcome: Cleared the round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Interview:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Difference between classful and classless addressing.
    • What is IPv4 and IPv6?
    • What is Denormalization and its application?
    • What is paging?
    • What is segmentation?
    • What is thrashing?
    • Why should we hire you?
    • Are you interested in an internship or learning program?

  • Your Approach: Explained computer science fundamentals (OOPS, DBMS, CN, OS) clearly and confidently.

  • Outcome: Selected for the internship.

Preparation Tips:

  • Topics to prepare: Programming constructs, DSA, Algorithms, Database, SQL, Web, UI.
  • Resources: Studied from PrepInsta and PrepInsta Prime.
  • Tip: Ensure familiarity with at least one programming language (C++, Java, or Python).

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and being well-prepared in computer science fundamentals helped me perform well. Make sure to practice coding and understand core concepts thoroughly. Good luck!

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Application Process: I applied via a job portal.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Coding Test (GENC-Next):

    • Questions Asked: There were 3 coding questions: 1 hard, 1 medium, and 1 easy.
    • Your Approach: I managed to solve 1.5 questions.
    • Outcome: I was shortlisted for the GENC-Elevate further round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. OOPs concepts like polymorphism, inheritance, etc.
      3. An aptitude question.
      4. Details about my projects.
    • Your Approach: I answered confidently and truthfully, taking a moment to think before responding.
    • Outcome: I cleared this round and moved to the HR round.

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked: Personal details and PAN card verification.
    • Your Approach: I provided the required details honestly.
    • Outcome: I successfully cleared this round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Stay calm and composed during the interview.
  • Avoid lying; always answer truthfully.
  • Take a few seconds to think before responding to questions.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. I felt confident because I prepared well and stayed honest. My advice to future candidates is to focus on OOPs concepts and practice coding problems thoroughly. Also, being truthful and composed during the interview helps a lot!

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur

Application Process: Applied via campus placement at Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology, Kanpur, in September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Coding Test:

    • Questions Asked: Conceptual/Code Analysis and Case study. Questions related to DSA, DBMS, trees, database, programming constructs, SQL, Web, and UI.
    • Your Approach: Focused on understanding the problem and applying logical reasoning to solve it.
    • Outcome: Passed the round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Differences between Generalization and Specialization in DBMS.
      2. What exactly is index hunting, and how does it aid query performance?
      3. What is the fill factor in SQL? What is its default value?
      4. How does Dynamic Loading help in better memory space utilization?
      5. How will you print the address of a variable without using a pointer?
    • Your Approach: Answered confidently, drawing from my knowledge of computer science fundamentals like OOPS, DBMS, CN, and OS.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Introduce yourself.
      2. Why Cognizant?
      3. Are you interested in an internship or learning program?
      4. Do you have any questions?
    • Your Approach: Kept my answers concise and professional, aligning my goals with the company’s values.
    • Outcome: Selected for the internship.

Preparation Tips:

  • Topics to Prepare: Basics of C++, Java, or Python, Data Structures, DBMS, MS Office, and SQL.
  • Resources: Programming language knowledge is essential. Familiarity with at least one language (C++, Java, or Python) is a must. Practice problem-solving skills and be ready to write code on paper.
  • Additional Tips: Stay updated with recent technological trends like AI and big data. Be prepared to discuss your projects and experiences in detail.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. Being thorough with computer science fundamentals and having a clear understanding of my projects helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on core concepts and staying confident during the interview. Knowledge of recent tech trends is a plus!

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Company Name: Cognizant

Position: Intern

Location: Campus Placement

Application Process: Applied via campus placement in October 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Print any 2D pattern.
    • Simple task involving 2 for loops with print("_").

  • Your Approach: Used basic programming logic to solve the pattern problem and demonstrated understanding of loops.

  • Outcome: Passed the round.

  • Round 2 - HR Interview:

  • Questions Asked: General HR questions about background, interests, and motivation for applying.

  • Your Approach: Answered honestly and confidently, aligning responses with the role.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

  • Round 3 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Basic aptitude questions covering logical reasoning and quantitative skills.

  • Your Approach: Solved questions systematically and managed time effectively.

  • Outcome: Cleared the test.

  • Round 4 - Final Interview:

  • Questions Asked: Combined technical and behavioral questions, including a simple programming task.

  • Your Approach: Balanced technical knowledge with clear communication about thought processes.

  • Outcome: Selected for the internship.

Preparation Tips:

  • SQL queries are a must.
  • Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python is preferred).
  • Practice simple programming tasks, as they are commonly asked.

Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward and manageable. Preparing basic programming concepts and SQL helped a lot. For future candidates, focus on clear communication and problem-solving skills.