Cognizant Software Engineer Level 1 Interview Questions and Answers

Round 1- Foundation Test:

Total Question- 20 ques
Time allotted- 75 mins (shared)
Few important Topics:

Quantitative Aptitude

Number System, LCM & HCF
Divisibility
Numbers & Decimal Fractions
Geometry
+ More Topics

Round 2- Advanced Test:

Total Question-10 ques
Time allotted- 35 mins (shared)
Few important Topics:

Quantitative Aptitude

Ages
Allegations and Mixtures
Averages
Clocks and Calendars
Equations
Percentages
+ More Topics

Q1. 1.Tell me about yourself.
Ans. HR interviews normally start off with this question since it is the one that is usually asked the most often. The right response can boost your chances of making a positive first impression. Interviewers often ask this question so that you can provide a summary of your resume so they can get an idea of what you find most valuable.
Answered Anonymously
Add your answer
Q2. 2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Ans. Answering this question requires skill and ingenuity. With this question, you will be able to acknowledge weaknesses that you look forward to improving. Public speaking, time management, self-criticism, etc., are some common areas of weakness that will not negatively reflect on your selection. The tone should be positive. Always speak only of true forces and never state strengths that you cannot verify. Avoid saying an...read more
Answered Anonymously
Add your answer
Q3. 3.Who is the founder of TCS?
Ans. TATA Group was founded by Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata in 1869 as a private organization. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata (JRD Tata) was the driving force behind the expansion of this group into TCS, which was established in 1968. At the present time, Mr Natarajan Chandrasekaran is the Chairman of the TCS
Answered Anonymously
Add your answer
Q4. 4. What are the competitors of TCS globally and in India?
Ans. Login to experience InterviewBit Practice Improve your coding skills with our resources Resources Experience learning Contests Compete in popular contests with top coders Online IDE Checkout our improved IDE Free Mock Assess yourself and prepare for interviews Scaler Explore Offerings by SCALER Events Checkout Scaler Academy Events New Get a Free personalised Career Roadmap from Scaler Show My Career Plan 90000+ Dev...read more
Answered Anonymously
Add your answer

20-30 aptitude questions like direction, time and speed, calculating intrest

It consists 2-3 coding questions there is no language barrier so you can code in any language

Q1. Where do you see yourself in next 5 year
Add your answer
Q2. What projects you have work on till now
Add your answer

Q1. What improvements to interfaces were introduced in Java 8 that were missing in Java 7, specifically regarding static and default methods?
Ans. 
Java 8 introduced static and default methods in interfaces, allowing for method implementation and code reusability.
• Java 8 introduced static methods in interfaces, allowing for method implementation directly in the interface itself.

• Default methods were also introduced in Java 8, enabling interfaces to have method implementations without affecting implementing classes.

• Static methods in interfaces can be called using the...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q2. Explain internal working of HashMap ? How to synchronize it ?
Ans. 
HashMap is a data structure that stores key-value pairs and uses hashing to efficiently retrieve values.
• HashMap uses an array of linked lists to store key-value pairs.

• When a key-value pair is added, the key is hashed to determine the index in the array where it will be stored.

• If multiple keys hash to the same index, a linked list is used to handle collisions.

• To synchronize a HashMap, you can use the synchronizedMap() m...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q3. Given a list of employees with their ratings, how can you sort the employees based on their ratings using the Java 8 Streaming API?
Add your answer
Q4. Will the program compile if the parent class throws a runtime exception while the child class throws an arithmetic exception?
Ans. 
No, the program will not compile if the parent class throws a runtime exception while the child class throws an arithmetic exception.
• In Java, if a parent class method throws a checked exception, the child class method can only throw the same exception or its subclasses.

• ArithmeticException is an unchecked exception, so if the parent class throws a checked exception and the child class throws an unchecked exception, the ...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q5. In a Spring Boot application with two databases, how can you configure JDBC to specify which database to use?
Ans. 
Configure JDBC in Spring Boot to specify which database to use
• Define multiple DataSource beans in the configuration class

• Use @Primary annotation to specify the primary DataSource

• Use @Qualifier annotation to specify the secondary DataSource

• Inject the DataSource beans where needed in the application
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q6. How to use a jetty server in your spring boot application ?
Ans. 
To use a Jetty server in a Spring Boot application, you can configure it as a dependency and customize its settings.
• Add Jetty server dependency in your pom.xml file

• Exclude Tomcat server dependency if it's included by default in Spring Boot

• Configure Jetty server settings in application.properties or application.yml file

• Example: Add Jetty dependency - <dependency> <groupId>org.springframework.boot</groupId...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q7. Difference between @RequestParam and @PathVariable ?
Ans. 
RequestParam is used to extract query parameters from the URL, while PathVariable is used to extract values from the URI path.
• RequestParam is used for query parameters in the URL, while PathVariable is used for values in the URI path.

• RequestParam is optional, while PathVariable is required.

• RequestParam is used with the @RequestParam annotation, while PathVariable is used with the @PathVariable annotation.

• Example: @Requ...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q8. How would you handle a scenario where one microservice is awaiting a response from another microservice that is taking an extended time to respond?
Ans. 
I would implement timeout mechanisms and retries to handle the scenario of one microservice awaiting a response from another microservice taking an extended time.
• Implement timeout mechanisms in the calling microservice to limit the waiting time for a response.

• Set up retry logic to automatically resend the request to the slow microservice if no response is received within the specified timeout period.

• Use circuit breaker...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer

Q1. Tell me about yourself. Why do you want to work here? What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why did you leave your previous job (or why are you looking for a new one)? Where do you see yourself in 5 year...read more
Add your answer
Q2. These questions help HR gauge how well you would fit into the company culture and how your experience aligns with the role. It's a good idea to prepare for them with specific examples from your past experi...read more
Add your answer
Q3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Add your answer
Q4. What motivates you to perform at your best?
Add your answer

Any one tell in gd in 5 minutes in english

1. Numerical Reasoning
- Example: "If a car travels 60 km in 1 hour, how long will it take to travel 150 km at the same speed?"

2. **Verbal Reasoning**
- Example: "Which of the following words is most similar in meaning to 'elated'? (a) Sad (b) Happy (c) Angry (d) Tired"

3. **Logical Reasoning**
- Example: "If all cats are animals, and all animals are living beings, are all cats living beings? (True/False)"

4. **Data Interpretation**
- Example: "Given a graph showing sales data over the past 12 months, what was the highest monthly sales figure?"

5. **Pattern Recognition**
- Example: "What comes next in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __?"

6. **Mathematical Reasoning**
- Example: "If 3x + 4 = 19, what is the value of x?"

7. **Spatial Reasoning**
- Example: "Which shape is different from the others: Square, Circle, Triangle, Rectangle?"

8. **Time and Work Problems**
- Example: "If A can finish a task in 5 days and B can finish the same task in 10 days, how long will it take for both A and B to complete the task together?"

Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want to work here?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why did you leave your previous job (or why are you looking for a new one)?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Can you describe a time when you faced a challenge at work and how you handled it?
How do you prioritize your tasks?
What motivates you?
How do you handle working under pressure or tight deadlines?
What are your salary expectations?
How do you deal with conflict in the workplace?
Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?
These questions help HR gauge how well you would fit into the company culture and how your experience aligns with the role. It's a good idea to prepare for them with specific examples from your past experie
The Aptitude test typically includes questions that assess your logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and ability to think critically. It can cover a wide range of topics depending on the job you're applying for, but here are some common types of questions you might encounter:

Numerical Reasoning

Example: "If a car travels 60 km in 1 hour, how long will it take to travel 150 km at the same speed?"
Verbal Reasoning

Example: "Which of the following words is most similar in meaning to 'elated'? (a) Sad (b) Happy (c) Angry (d) Tired"
Logical Reasoning

Example: "If all cats are animals, and all animals are living beings, are all cats living beings? (True/False)"
Data Interpretation

Example: "Given a graph showing sales data over the past 12 months, what was the highest monthly sales figure?"
Pattern Recognition

Example: "What comes next in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, __?"
Mathematical Reasoning

Example: "If 3x + 4 = 19, what is the value of x?"
Spatial Reasoning

Example: "Which shape is different from the others: Square, Circle, Triangle, Rectangle?"
Time and Work Problems

Example: "If A can finish a task in 5 days and B can finish the same task in 10 days, how long will it take for both A and B to complete the task together?"
To prepare, it's helpful to practice problems in these areas. Many online platforms offer free aptitude tests to help you improve your skills before the actual test.


Case study
In a case study interview, you'll be given a real-world business problem and asked to analyze the situation and come up with solutions or recommendations. The goal is to evaluate your problem-solving, analytical thinking, and decision-making abilities.

**Coding tests** are commonly used in technical interviews to evaluate your programming skills. These tests usually involve solving algorithmic problems, debugging code, or writing efficient code to handle certain tasks. Here are the general types of coding tests you might encounter:

### 1. **Algorithm and Data Structure Questions:**
These focus on your ability to use algorithms and data structures to solve problems efficiently.
- **Sorting and Searching**
Example: Implement a sorting algorithm like QuickSort or MergeSort, or write a binary search function.
- **Linked Lists**
Example: Reverse a linked list or detect a cycle in a linked list.
- **Trees and Graphs**
Example: Find the height of a binary tree, or perform a breadth-first search (BFS) or depth-first search (DFS) on a graph.
- **Dynamic Programming**
Example: Solve problems like the Fibonacci sequence, the knapsack problem, or longest common subsequence.
- **Recursion**
Example: Write a function that calculates factorials or solves the Towers of Hanoi problem.

### 2. **String Manipulation:**
These problems test your ability to handle and manipulate strings efficiently.
- Example: Write a function to check if a string is a palindrome, or find the longest substring without repeating characters.

### 3. **Mathematical Problems:**
These involve solving problems with mathematical concepts.
- Example: Check if a number is prime, or find the greatest common divisor (GCD) of two numbers.

### 4. **Array and Matrix Problems:**
These involve operations and algorithms on arrays or matrices.
- Example: Rotate a matrix, find the maximum sum subarray (Kadane’s algorithm), or merge two sorted arrays.

### 5. **Problem Solving with Constraints:**
In some cases, you may be given a problem where you need to optimize for time or space complexity.
- Example: Write an algorithm that finds the shortest path in a maze with obstacles, and ensure that it runs in O(n log n) time.

### 6. **Debugging:**
In some coding tests, you might be asked to debug a given piece of code that’s producing errors or incorrect output.

### 7. **Object-Oriented Design:**
These questions test your ability to design systems and classes using object-oriented principles.
- Example: Design a class to represent a library system, or implement a parking lot with multiple types of vehicles.

---

### Tips for Coding Tests:

1. **Understand the Problem:**
- Read the problem statement carefully before jumping into writing code.
- Clarify the input, output, and constraints with the interviewer (if needed).

2. **Plan Your Approach:**
- Before writing code, think about the algorithm you’ll use and the time/space complexity.
- Break down the problem into smaller steps and outline your solution.

3. **Write Clean, Efficient Code:**
- Focus on writing readable and efficient code.
- Optimize your solution to handle edge cases and large input sizes.

4. **Test Your Solution:**
- Test your code with sample inputs, including edge cases (empty input, large numbers, etc.).

5. **Communicate Your Thought Process:**
- As you write your code, explain your approach to the interviewer. This shows your problem-solving process.

### Example Coding Problem:

**Problem:**
Write a function to find the "Nth" Fibonacci number.

**Solution:**
```python
def fibonacci(n):
if n <= 1:
return n
a, b = 0, 1
for i in range(2, n+1):
a, b = b, a + b
return b
```

**Explanation:**
- The Fibonacci sequence starts with 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the two preceding ones.
- We use an iterative approach to calculate the Fibonacci number at the nth position.

### Practice Platforms:
To prepare for coding tests, you can practice on the following platforms:
- **LeetCode**
- **HackerRank**
- **CodeSignal**
- **Codewars**
- **Exercism**

These platforms provide a wide variety of problems to improve your coding skills and familiarize yourself with common interview questions.

An **assignment** in the context of a job or academic setting is typically a task or project that you're asked to complete as part of your evaluation. The nature of the assignment will depend on the type of role or course you're involved with. Below are a few types of assignments you might encounter, along with how you can approach them:

### 1. **Technical Assignment (for a tech role)**
If you're applying for a technical position (like software engineering or data science), you might be given a coding or algorithm-based task. This could include:
- **Building a program or web app**: You might be asked to create a simple application, implement an algorithm, or design a feature based on the company’s needs.
- **Data Analysis**: Given a dataset, you may be required to clean, analyze, and extract insights from it using tools like Excel, SQL, Python, or R.
- **Problem-Solving Tasks**: Solve algorithmic problems or complete coding challenges (similar to those in a coding interview).

**Approach:**
- **Understand the requirements**: Read the assignment carefully, understand the scope, and ask any questions if something isn’t clear.
- **Plan your solution**: Break down the task into smaller steps. Plan your code, database queries, or analysis method.
- **Test thoroughly**: Ensure your code or solution works with a variety of inputs, including edge cases.
- **Document your work**: Include comments in your code, and provide a brief explanation of your approach and thought process.

---

### 2. **Business Assignment (for a business role)**
In a business-related position, the assignment could involve:
- **Case Studies**: You may be given a hypothetical business problem, like a company facing challenges in sales or operations. You'll need to analyze the issue, suggest solutions, and present them clearly.
- **Market Research**: Conduct research about an industry or competitors, analyze trends, and compile a report with insights and recommendations.
- **Business Strategy**: Devise a strategy to help a company grow, expand its market, or improve operations.

**Approach:**
- **Identify key issues**: Make sure to fully understand the business problem, and highlight any key challenges.
- **Gather data**: Use relevant data, facts, or market trends to support your arguments.
- **Develop a solution**: Propose actionable solutions with clear reasoning, potential risks, and benefits.
- **Present your findings**: Structure your report or presentation logically, and be ready to defend your solution.

---

### 3. **Design or Creative Assignment**
For roles in design (graphic design, UX/UI, etc.), the assignment may involve:
- **Creating visual designs**: You could be tasked with designing logos, web pages, or app interfaces.
- **Developing a brand concept**: Designing a complete branding package, such as a logo, color scheme, and typography.
- **Wireframing or Prototyping**: Designing a prototype for a mobile or web application.

**Approach:**
- **Understand the brand or problem**: Research the company or product and ensure your design aligns with its values, audience, and goals.
- **Sketch or wireframe first**: Create initial mock-ups or wireframes before jumping into the final design.
- **Seek feedback**: If possible, get feedback from others to improve your design.
- **Present your design**: Provide context on how your design decisions align with the brand or project goals.

---

### 4. **Writing Assignment**
In fields like marketing, journalism, or academia, writing assignments are common. These might include:
- **Content creation**: Write a blog post, article, or social media content.
- **Research paper or essay**: You may be asked to write a research paper, analysis, or essay on a particular topic.
- **Copywriting**: Write persuasive copy for advertisements, websites, or product descriptions.

**Approach:**
- **Research thoroughly**: Understand the topic you're writing about, and gather credible sources or data.
- **Create an outline**: Organize your thoughts logically before writing the full content.
- **Write and revise**: Draft the assignment, then revise it for clarity, conciseness, and flow.
- **Proofread**: Make sure your writing is free of grammar or spelling errors.

---

### General Tips for Completing an Assignment:

- **Time Management**: Plan your time carefully. Break down the assignment into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each task.
- **Quality over Quantity**: Focus on providing a well-thought-out solution rather than rushing to complete a lot of work.
- **Seek Feedback**: If you're unsure about your approach, don't hesitate to ask for feedback from colleagues, peers, or mentors.
- **Polish Your Presentation**: Whether it's a report, code, or design, make sure your final deliverable is polished and easy to understand.

---

Would you like more specific guidance on a particular type of assignment you're working on?

Q1. Project based questions
Add your answer
Q2. Scenario based question (multithreading and caching related scenarios were asked to me)
Add your answer
Q3. One coding challenge
Add your answer

Q1. Transactions in springboot
Ans. 
Transactions in Spring Boot manage database operations as a single unit of work to ensure data integrity.
• Spring Boot provides support for declarative transaction management using @Transactional annotation.

• Transactions can be configured at class or method level.

• Transactions can be rolled back in case of exceptions to maintain data consistency.

• Example: @Transactional annotation on a service method ensures that all databa...read more
Answered by AI
Add your answer
Q2. Difference between arraylist and linked list

Ans. 

ArrayList is resizable array implementation, LinkedList is doubly linked list implementation.

• ArrayList uses dynamic array to store elements, LinkedList uses doubly linked list.

• ArrayList is faster for accessing elements by index, LinkedList is faster for adding/removing elements.

• Example: ArrayList arrList = new ArrayList<>(); LinkedList linkedList = new LinkedList<>();

Add your answer