Apollo Tyres IT Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Test
Experience: An online test for the first round consisting of 60 questions with aptitude(including a couple of C questions) and tech equally divided - +1, -.25 marks. About a dozen students were shortlisted from each branch.
Tips: Arun Sharma Quant for aptitude. I didn't particularly prepare for the tech part, just brushed up on the basics.
Prepare Digital electronics, Microprocessors(8051), Control Systems for the online test.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Interviews were held the next day, tech followed by HR. Both rounds were elimination rounds. Finally 5 people were chosen.
Tips: For the HR, prepare responses for a standard set of questions. It isn't nice to be caught unawares.

General Tips: Do not bluff in your resume. Keep it concise. In the tech round they made me explain every aspect covered in my resume in detail: Internship, Projects, workshops etc. If you mention that you are good at something(say C++/Java), be prepared to answer questions on it. Be confident! Remember, the company should be proud to recruit you! In almost all interviews the first question asked is "Tell me something about yourself" You don't want to start off by saying "Errrrr ..(pause) " Do some research on the company and ask them questions (try to be original here!)
Please do not waste your time sitting for companies you have absolutely no desire to work in (YES this happens a LOT) regardless of pressure from parents/friends/PC's. Instead, prepare for the profile you want! If you have clarity on this regard, things will work out. There will be ups and downs (mostly downs, till you get placed) but don't be disheartened. During placement, Patience is paramount.
Skill Tips: GET's go through 2 months of training in all divisions before being assigned to any specific one. You can ask them to elaborate on this process and whether or not they are flexible for inter-dept transfers after a couple of years. If they have a product that has just come out or is something you can relate to, do mention.
Skills:
College Name: NIT Surathkal

Round: Test
Experience: Round I was an Online Test, 30 students were selected
Tips: Once you are through the tests, the next few rounds are a breeze. In my opinion the company is not looking for the best students, rather it knows that most students can adapt to the required roles with time and training. So I feel that their only concern is that they find candidates willing to stay there for sufficient enough time till their investment in the candidate pays off. So whatever you say to the interviewers please keep this at the back of your head. This includes them asking about your [plans for the future].

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Round II was the Interview, around 10-12 students got selected.
Tips: They will ask you about your resume and I feel they can tell the difference between a silly classroom project and some real work that you have done. But again its all about how you sell it. Go into the depths of it and convince them that your project is legitimate. Most questions I faced at this stage, were related to my resume. My advice keep it short, don't fill the pages.

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: The  final round was a group discussion.
Tips: The GD if you make it through is the real clincher. For me to dominate in my GD was cake walk. I was always a good speaker and I easily dominate. I feel that is what convinced them the most.

General Tips: My placement experience from my point of view was a joke. It does not test anything nor is it a reward for effort system. All the company sees you is a void entity they can fit into the system.They don't care about your extracurriculars, sports, quizzing ability, music, etc etc.They will look at your pointer to gauge if you can do work. Then they will take everything you say to gauge if you will stay at their company and be a worthy investment.Well in the beginning I felt quite apprehensive and I found the whole process daunting. I felt I couldn't survive the competition of my batchmates. I felt I was not adequately prepared for the tests. And looking at the sample questions really demotivated me. My advice- Don't do what I did at the beginning. Just go sit for the company regardless of rhyme or reason.
Skill Tips: To be honest, at the time I appeared for this company, my technical knowledge was very limited and I did not feel I was adequately prepared in the least. The tests usually have an aptitude or English sections. If your technical knowledge is limited, concentrate on these aspects. They are much easier to pick up and combined with CAT or GRE preparations, you should be able to score comfortably high on these sections.(and be assured, most people are in your state)
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Test
Experience: Online test (apti+tech).

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 2 rounds of tech interview.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Finally one HR interview.

General Tips: It was not my first company placement procedure, so anxiety was lesser (because of familiarity), but it was largely satisfying. They will let you know where ypy stand during the interview itself.
Skill Tips: Check the company's website (in my case, they had sent a link), which will help you know what exactly they are looking for. You can strengthen your skills in that area for a better chance. Answer HR carefully, be careful not to say anything that will show you in poor light.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Test
Experience: There just about 45 students who wrote the initial screening test, I think 20 got through.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Then, it was the interview round. They focused mainly on Control Systems, since the profile included designing embedded control for the various fuel injectors, carburetors and stuff. Easy enough, they did not go very deep into the subject and most of the interview was simple conversation.

General Tips: I suppose one thing I did not do is to tell them that you really want the job. There was a question where they asked me if I was ready to guarantee that I would stay at Bosch for at least 3 years and I had said no. This led to them asking if I intended to pursue higher studies and this is something you would like to avoid. Not really exhausting or anything, I felt the whole process (one interview) was simple and not at all exhausting.
Skill Tips: I did not refer any material specifically for placements, but GRE preparation helped a lot. Also, I had attended ~8 interviews prior and was filled with irrational confidence when I went for the interview. Perhaps, they noticed.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Everyone had a chance to speak. I spoke few sentences and concluded it
Tips: Speak relevant to the topic
Duration: 15 minutes

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Gave relevant and acceptable answers for everything. Interviewer was satisfied
Tips: Give answers from where the questions that are known to you might arise

Round: Stress Interview
Experience: Almost challenging to attend
Tips: Presence of mind is necessary

College Name: Chennai Institute of Technology

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Discussion was good where I spoke few sentences and concluded the speech
Tips: Speak relevant to the topic
Duration: 15 minutes

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Gave satisfactory answers

College Name: Chennai Institute of Technology

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Experience with Service criteria

Round: Test
Experience: Aptitude, technical details,how many compliments attend on per day,One given the recommendation and then asked how to do it.

Round: Company website
Experience: How to proceed,how to complaints registration process,etc

Round: Training
Experience: Product training in plants

Round: Field activity
Experience: Field training, customer interaction, product training, customer service, customer interaction etc

General Tips: Collect all market information regarding company, customer reviews, customer interaction, technical details, and four wheeler product training, warranty policy details with experience.
Thanks
Dheeraj Kumar
Skills: Communication, Body Language, Analytical Skills, Time Management
Duration: <1 week

Round: Test
Experience: I was surprised with the written test as i was not aware of written test ...I t
Taught that interview will be on the experience based and face to face.
Tips: I was failed in the first round.
Duration: 40 minutes
Total Questions: 20