300+ Interview Questions and Answers

Using the given numbers, estimate the total number of runners in a marathon.

• The numbers given are likely bib numbers assigned to runners.

• Look for patterns or gaps in the numbers to estimate the total number of runners.

• Consider the size of the event and typical number of participants in marathons.

• Assuming no duplicates, the highest number gives a rough upper bound on the total number of runners.

A 10x10x10 cube is dismantled into smaller cubes. How many have none of their faces painted red?

• The outer layer of the big cube has 8x8x8 cubes painted red

• The number of cubes with at least one red face is 6x6x6

• The number of cubes with no red faces is 10x10x10 - (8x8x8 - 6x6x6)

Indian IT sector has a positive outlook with growth drivers like digital transformation and cloud adoption, but faces challenges like talent shortage and increasing competition.

• Growth drivers include digital transformation, cloud adoption, and increasing demand for automation and AI solutions.

• Challenges include talent shortage, increasing competition from global players, and regulatory changes.

• Stock picks include TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, which have strong financials and a tra...read more

Yes, an algorithm I designed at Microsoft can be applied to a problem in the stock market domain.

• I designed an algorithm at Microsoft that can be used in the stock market domain

• The algorithm can be applied to solve a specific problem in the stock market

• The work I did at Microsoft has potential applications in the financial industry

Answers to interview questions for Senior Automation Engineer

• 1. Using recursion to print numbers

• 2. Using nested loops to compare each element

• 3. Alert is a pop-up window while verify is a method to check if an element is present

• 4. Verify will continue the test even if the assertion fails

• 5. A class that can only have one instance at a time

• 6. Use explicit wait on the flag element

The minimum distance between opposite ends of a cuboid is the length of the diagonal of the cuboid.

• To find the diagonal, use the Pythagorean theorem: diagonal = sqrt(length^2 + width^2 + height^2)

• The length, width, and height of the cuboid must be known to calculate the diagonal

• The ant can travel along any of the three pairs of opposite walls, so the minimum distance is the shortest diagonal

• Example: A cuboid with length = 3, width = 4, and height = 5 has a diagonal of sqrt(3^...read more

Receiving Rs.50000 at the beginning of the year is a better deal.

• Receiving a lump sum amount at the beginning of the year allows for better investment opportunities.

• The time value of money principle suggests that money received earlier is worth more than the same amount received later.

• Rs.50000 received at the beginning of the year can be invested in a fixed deposit or mutual fund, earning interest throughout the year.

• Rs.5000 per month may not be enough to invest in a profitab...read more

The shortest path between two diagonally opposite corners of a solid (10X10X10) cube is the space diagonal.

• The space diagonal can be calculated using the Pythagorean theorem.

• The formula for the space diagonal is √(a² + b² + c²), where a, b, and c are the lengths of the sides of the cube.

• In this case, a = b = c = 10, so the space diagonal is √(10² + 10² + 10²) = √300 ≈ 17.32 units.

Valued Suzlon using DCF and ratios. Assumed growth rates based on industry trends and company performance.

• Used DCF to estimate the intrinsic value of Suzlon based on future cash flows

• Used P/E ratio and EV/EBITDA ratio to compare Suzlon's valuation with industry peers

• Assumed growth rates based on industry trends and Suzlon's historical performance

• Took into account Suzlon's debt levels and interest expenses in the DCF calculation

• Adjusted the discount rate based on Suzlon's risk...read more

I am passionate about applying my mathematical skills to solve complex problems in the field of analysis.

• I believe that my strong mathematical background provides me with a solid foundation for analytical work.

• Mathematics has taught me critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis skills that are essential for an analyst role.

• I enjoy working with numbers and using mathematical models to gain insights and make informed decisions.

• My CPI reflects my dedication and hard w...read more

Answers to interview questions for Senior Automation Engineer position

• Abstract classes and interfaces are used for creating reusable code and implementing polymorphism

• Example of abstract class: WebDriver in Selenium

• Example of interface: WebElement in Selenium

• Reverse string program can be implemented using StringBuilder or char array

• List is ordered and allows duplicates, Set is unordered and does not allow duplicates

• Exception handling in Selenium can be done using try-catch bl...read more

Foreign elevator company incurring losses in India. Likely issues and solutions?

• Lack of understanding of local market and culture

• Competition from established local players

• Inefficient supply chain and logistics

• Poor after-sales service

• Possible solutions include partnering with local companies, improving supply chain, and enhancing after-sales service

• Conducting market research to better understand the needs and preferences of Indian customers

Going second is the optimal strategy in this game.

• Going second allows you to mirror your opponent's moves and ensure that you place the last coin.

• If you go first, your opponent can simply copy your moves and place the last coin.

• This game is similar to the game of Nim, where going second is also the optimal strategy.

The actual rate of return is more than 10% due to the bond being issued at a discount. The method used for its calculation is Yield to Maturity (YTM).

• Bond issued at discount means the actual rate of return is higher than the fixed rate.

• Yield to Maturity (YTM) is used to calculate the actual rate of return on a bond.

• YTM takes into account the bond's current market price, par value, coupon payments, and time to maturity.

Income statement for a carpenter buying and selling wood

• Revenue from selling wood

• Cost of purchasing wood

• Labor costs for carpentry work

• Equipment and tool expenses

• Transportation costs for wood delivery

• Overhead expenses such as rent and utilities

• Taxes and other fees

• Net income or loss

Material Science and Engineering is the study of materials and their properties, behavior, and applications.

• It involves the development of new materials and improving existing ones.

• It includes the study of metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.

• Applications include aerospace, electronics, medicine, and energy.

• Material scientists and engineers work on designing materials with specific properties for various applications.

• Examples of materials studied include carbon fiber, g...read more

The journal entry for capital being introduced in business involves debiting the cash account and crediting the capital account.

• Debit the cash account to increase the cash balance

• Credit the capital account to reflect the increase in owner's equity

• Journal entry: Cash (Dr) xxx, Capital (Cr) xxx

Ranking of interest rates offered by Bonds, CDS and Loans.

• CDS usually offer the highest interest rates due to their higher risk

• Bonds offer lower interest rates than CDS but are less risky

• Loans typically offer the lowest interest rates as they are secured by collateral

• Interest rates can vary depending on the issuer's creditworthiness and market conditions

Using only 3,3,8,8 and +,-,*,/ operators, make 24.

• There are multiple ways to solve this puzzle.

• One possible solution is: 8 / (3 - 8/3) = 24

• Another solution is: (8 * 3) - (8 / 3) = 24

• Remember to follow the order of operations (PEMDAS).

Answering a question about estimating quant score and overall score in finance.

• I estimate my quant score to be X based on my preparation and practice.

• Adding my quant score to the avg finance score may or may not result in the highest overall score, as it depends on the scores of other candidates.

• However, I am confident in my abilities and believe that I can perform well in both areas.

• I am open to discussing my preparation strategies and study habits further if needed.

Deutsche Bank offers a unique combination of global reach, diverse expertise, and innovative technology.

• Deutsche Bank has a strong global presence with operations in over 60 countries.

• The bank has a diverse range of expertise across various sectors including investment banking, corporate banking, and asset management.

• Deutsche Bank is committed to innovation and has invested heavily in technology to improve its services and operations.

• Goldman Sachs and World Quant may have the...read more

Trade settlement refers to the process of transferring securities and funds between parties involved in a trade. T+1 or T+2 cycle refers to the number of days it takes for the settlement to occur.

• Trade settlement involves the transfer of securities and funds between parties involved in a trade

• T+1 or T+2 cycle refers to the number of days it takes for the settlement to occur

• T+1 means the settlement occurs on the next business day after the trade

• T+2 means the settlement occurs ...read more

A dividend payout by a 50% JV affects the parent company's financial statements through the equity method.

• The parent company will record its share of the JV's dividend income as a decrease in the investment account on the balance sheet.

• The parent company's income statement will reflect its share of the JV's earnings, including the dividend income.

• The parent company's cash flow statement will show an increase in cash from the dividend received.

• The dividend payout may also impa...read more

Delta is the measure of an option's price sensitivity to changes in the price of the underlying asset.

• Delta is a Greek letter used to represent the degree of change in an option's price relative to the change in the price of the underlying asset.

• Delta ranges from 0 to 1 for call options and -1 to 0 for put options.

• A delta of 0.5 means that for every $1 increase in the underlying asset's price, the option's price will increase by $0.50.

• For a future on 1000 stocks, the delta wo...read more

Chromium is added to stainless steel to enhance its corrosion resistance and improve its strength and durability.

• Chromium forms a thin, invisible layer of chromium oxide on the surface of the steel, which prevents rust and corrosion.

• Chromium also increases the steel's hardness and toughness, making it more resistant to wear and tear.

• Stainless steel with higher chromium content is more resistant to high temperatures and oxidation.

• Examples of chromium-containing stainless steel...read more

The journal entry for paying off outstanding liabilities involves decreasing the liability account and decreasing the cash account.

• Debit the liability account to decrease the amount owed

• Credit the cash account to show the cash outflow

• Example: Debit Accounts Payable and credit Cash for the amount paid

Depreciation is the decrease in value of tangible assets over time, while amortization is the decrease in value of intangible assets over time. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from an underlying asset.

• Depreciation applies to tangible assets like buildings, machinery, and vehicles, while amortization applies to intangible assets like patents, copyrights, and trademarks.

• Depreciation and amortization are both methods of allocating the cost of an ass...read more

Brownian motion is the random motion of particles in a fluid due to collisions with other particles.

• Brownian motion was first observed by Robert Brown in 1827.

• It is named after the botanist Robert Brown.

• The motion is caused by the random movement of fluid molecules.

• Brownian motion is a continuous-time stochastic process.

• It is often used to model various phenomena in physics, finance, and biology.

• Properties of Brownian motion include random walk, Gaussian distribution, and sel...read more

Inflation is being talked about these days due to its impact on the economy and people's lives.

• Inflation is a rise in the general level of prices of goods and services over a period of time.

• It reduces the purchasing power of money, making goods and services more expensive.

• Inflation can be caused by factors such as increased demand, supply shortages, or changes in government policies.

• High inflation can erode savings, decrease investment, and lead to economic instability.

• Centra...read more

Fiscal Cliff is a term used to describe a combination of tax increases and spending cuts. Euro-Debt Crisis refers to the financial crisis faced by some European countries. Palestine war is a conflict between Israel and Palestine.

• Fiscal Cliff: Combination of tax increases and spending cuts in the US

• Euro-Debt Crisis: Financial crisis faced by some European countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal

• Palestine war: Conflict between Israel and Palestine over land and political cont...read more

If a company declares a dividend but does not pay it, the balance sheet of the shareholder will show an increase in their retained earnings and a corresponding decrease in their cash or assets.

• The shareholder's equity will increase by the amount of the declared dividend.

• The company's liabilities will also increase by the same amount until the dividend is paid.

• The shareholder will see an increase in their retained earnings on the balance sheet.

• The shareholder's cash or assets ...read more

A Martingale is a mathematical concept used in probability theory and statistics. Markov Processes are stochastic processes that satisfy the Markov property.

• A Martingale is a sequence of random variables where the expected value of the next variable, given the current and past variables, is equal to the current variable.

• Markov Processes are stochastic processes where the future state depends only on the current state and not on the past states.

• A Martingale is not necessarily ...read more

A new litigation liability can negatively impact the enterprise value.

• Litigation liability can lead to financial losses for the company

• It can also damage the company's reputation and affect future earnings

• The impact on enterprise value depends on the severity of the liability and the company's ability to manage it

• Investors may also perceive the company as riskier, leading to a decrease in stock price

• Examples include lawsuits related to product defects, environmental damage, o...read more

Ratios like gross margin, inventory turnover, and return on assets are used to evaluate a manufacturing unit.

• Gross margin ratio measures the profitability of the manufacturing unit by comparing the revenue and cost of goods sold.

• Inventory turnover ratio measures how efficiently the manufacturing unit is managing its inventory.

• Return on assets ratio measures how effectively the manufacturing unit is using its assets to generate profits.

• Other ratios like debt-to-equity ratio, c...read more

The probability of getting 5 heads in 5 tosses of an unbiased coin is 1/32.

• The probability of getting a head on a single toss of an unbiased coin is 1/2.

• The probability of getting 5 heads in a row is (1/2)^5 = 1/32.

• Each toss is independent of the previous toss, so the probability of getting 5 heads in a row is the same as getting any other sequence of 5 tosses.

Prepaid expenses are written in the assets side because they represent future economic benefits.

• Prepaid expenses are expenses that have been paid in advance but have not yet been incurred.

• They represent future economic benefits that the company will receive.

• As per the accounting equation, assets = liabilities + equity, prepaid expenses are recorded as assets.

• They are gradually expensed over time as they are incurred.

Deutsche Bank has a stronger global presence and a more diversified business model compared to Credit Suisse.

• Deutsche Bank has a larger global footprint with operations in over 60 countries.

• Deutsche Bank has a more diversified business model with a strong presence in investment banking, commercial banking, and asset management.

• Credit Suisse has been facing legal and regulatory issues in recent years, while Deutsche Bank has been focusing on improving its risk management and c...read more

Yes, I am following the euro zone crisis closely.

• The crisis began in 2009 with Greece's debt crisis and has since spread to other countries in the euro zone.

• The European Central Bank has implemented various measures to address the crisis, including quantitative easing and low interest rates.

• Brexit has also added to the uncertainty in the euro zone.

• Recent updates include the approval of a €750 billion recovery fund to help member states recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

• There...read more

Nifty is an index of National Stock Exchange of India. It comprises of 50 companies from 13 sectors.

• Reliance Industries Limited - conglomerate

• HDFC Bank Limited - banking and financial services

• Tata Consultancy Services Limited - IT services

• Hindustan Unilever Limited - consumer goods

• Bharti Airtel Limited - telecommunications

No, the number of PORs is not a reason for my CGPA.

• My CGPA is based on my academic performance and not on my extracurricular activities.

• While PORs can enhance my resume, they do not directly impact my grades.

• I have managed to maintain a good CGPA despite being involved in fewer PORs.

• My focus has always been on academics and I have dedicated my time accordingly.

Collateral is an asset pledged by a borrower to secure a loan. Margin call is a demand for additional collateral.

• Collateral is a form of security for lenders in case the borrower defaults on the loan.

• Types of collateral include real estate, stocks, bonds, and other assets.

• Margin call is a request for additional collateral when the value of the collateral falls below a certain level.

• Margin call is common in margin trading, where investors borrow money to buy securities.

• If the ...read more

Express JEE rank as xy + yx (put y=1, x = rank - 1)

• JEE rank = 1234 can be expressed as 1221 + 2112

• Replace x with rank - 1 and y with 1 to get the answer

• For example, if rank = 5, then x = 4 and y = 1, so the answer is 4321 + 1234 = 5555

Introducing 4G in India has a huge scope as it can revolutionize the digital landscape. It is a good idea for faster connectivity.

• 4G can provide faster internet speeds and better connectivity for mobile devices

• It can boost the growth of e-commerce, online education, and digital payments

• 4G can also improve communication and access to information in rural areas

• Examples of successful 4G implementation in India include Jio and Airtel

• Overall, introducing 4G in India can have a pos...read more

To ensure drawing same color, minimum number of draws is max(n1, n2, ...)

• Calculate the maximum number of shoes of a single color

• Draw that many shoes to ensure at least one color is repeated

• Example: Box has 3 red, 4 blue, 2 green shoes. Minimum draws = 4 (to get 2 blue shoes)

• Formula: Min draws = ceil(2/(1 - (max(n1, n2, ...) / total shoes)))

Mutual fund buys shares on trade date and settles on settlement date.

• Mutual fund purchases shares on the trade date, which is the date the transaction is executed.

• Settlement date is the date on which the mutual fund actually pays for the shares and receives ownership.

• The journal entry on the trade date would debit the investment account and credit the cash account.

• The journal entry on the settlement date would reverse the initial entry and record the actual purchase of shares...read more

Tower Research does not align with my career goals and interests.

• I am looking for a company that aligns with my values and interests

• I have researched Tower Research and do not feel it is the right fit for me

• I am seeking a company with a strong focus on innovation and collaboration

• Tower Research may be a great fit for others, but it is not the right fit for me

Nifty and Sensex are stock market indices in India.

• Nifty is an index of National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Sensex is an index of Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

• Nifty comprises of 50 large-cap companies while Sensex comprises of 30 blue-chip companies.

• Both indices are used to measure the performance of the Indian stock market.

• Investors use these indices to track the overall market sentiment and make investment decisions.

Call option gives the holder the right to buy an asset at a specified price, while put option gives the holder the right to sell an asset at a specified price.

• Call option is bullish, while put option is bearish

• Call option profits when the underlying asset price goes up, while put option profits when the underlying asset price goes down

• Call option has unlimited profit potential, while put option has limited profit potential

• Examples: Buying a call option on Apple stock gives th...read more

Credit appraisal of SME units involves assessing their financial health, management capabilities, market position, and repayment capacity.

• Analyze financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements

• Evaluate management team and their experience in the industry

• Assess market position and competition

• Review credit history and repayment capacity

• Consider collateral and guarantees

• Use credit scoring models and ratios to determine creditworthiness...read more

EV/EBITDA is a valuation metric used to evaluate a company's financial performance and potential for growth.

• EV/EBITDA compares a company's enterprise value (EV) to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).

• It is useful for comparing companies in the same industry or sector.

• A lower EV/EBITDA ratio indicates that a company may be undervalued, while a higher ratio may indicate that a company is overvalued.

• EV/EBITDA can be used in conjunction wi...read more

Mergers and acquisitions refer to the consolidation of companies or assets through various financial transactions.

• Mergers involve the combination of two or more companies to form a new entity.

• Acquisitions involve one company purchasing another company or its assets.

• M&A can be friendly or hostile, depending on the willingness of the parties involved.

• M&A can result in cost savings, increased market share, and improved profitability.

• Examples of notable M&A deals include Disney's...read more

Estimate the number of windows in a skyscraper

• Determine the height and width of the building

• Estimate the number of floors and windows per floor

• Consider the type of building and its purpose

• Take into account any unique architectural features

• Assume an average window size and spacing

• Consider any visible windows from the exterior

• Use online resources for average window-to-floor ratios

• Adjust estimate based on personal experience or knowledge

• Finalize estimate with a reasonable range

If the interest rate in the market goes up

• The cost of borrowing increases

• Bond prices decrease

• Stock prices may decrease

• Inflation may decrease

• Currency may appreciate

Fill a 5X5 matrix with numbers 1-25 such that each number is average of adjacent numbers.

• Start with the center number and fill the adjacent numbers with consecutive odd numbers

• Fill the remaining numbers in a spiral pattern, using the average of adjacent numbers

• Check for edge cases and adjust the numbers accordingly

• Example: 13 12 11 10 9, 14 3 2 1 8, 15 4 center 6 7, 16 5 18 19 20, 17 22 23 24 25