FICO Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Test
Experience: The written test is in two phases; one is mandatory and the other is for people interested in research. I would suggest taking both the tests whether interested in research or not. It will add to your experience and performing well in the research profile test increases your probability of selection for the interview. Analytical questions, and some question from the basics of data structures (Linked lists, stacks, queues etc.) and algorithm design.
Tips: Questions from the written test which you have solved and not solved, both are generally asked - prepare well for this.
Technical questions on algorithms and data structures are asked. The ones asked are generally standard interview questions, so have a look at them and prepare from blogs (I did from The Nameless blog)Practice questions on analytics and data structures. The questions asked are of a high standard so try to solve a few good problems for practice rather than hundred easy ones.
A simple understanding of data structures is enough

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: To test your analytical and technical skills, try to solve every question, and even you are not able to solve a few, show your fighting spirit and tell them the way you want to approach any particular question.
Tips: If you already know the answer to any question, don't just tell the answer quickly, solve it as though you're solving it for the first time and take your time.
Be cool, they will generally help you while solving the problems.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: After you have cleared first one, they conduct another to test you one more time.
If you have performed exceptionally well in the first interview, this will be easy. Otherwise they will ask few more questions.
Tips: Question are quite similar to first one - some more questions on algorithms and data structures.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: In FICO interview I felt HR round was just nominal if you have cleared the first two rounds.
They will test whether you want to join FICO or not.Questions are very general .
"Tell me about yourself, and about your family background", "Why FICO?", "Why this particular profile" etc.Show utmost dedication to FICO, and the will to never leave it.
Tips: And if you are asked by interviewer to ask a question if you have any, never say no - always ask
some question which is in your mind (except absurd ones).

General Tips: Good analytical skills, proficiency at solving permutations and combinations problems, and puzzle-solving skills.
Conceptual understanding of algorithms and data structures, and a good knowledge of any programming language, preferably C or C++ .
A good internship always gives you an edge over the others.
Skill Tips: I had taken the written test for both profiles so my interview was as a research profile aspirant but I was finally selected for my software profile. Those who had not taken the research profile test had their interview conducted a bit differently; they were asked more questions on analytics and puzzles. So prepare hard with puzzles, they will always help you in any company interview.
For preparation of the concepts of algorithms and data structures, Cormen is a good book and MIT course materials which are available on LAN are a good source to learn from as well, as is the Internet itself.
Skills: Programming, Analytical skills, Puzzle solving
College Name: IIT KHARAGPUR

Round: Test
Experience: There were 2 objective written tests, 1st one had one section of mathematics questions (CAT like) and one section of Data Structure, C/C++ questions, 2nd one had only mathematics questions but they were tougher than those in the 1st test.
Tips: Revise some JEE mathematics (like probability) and practice CAT type mathematics questions. If you are a non-CS guy, get basic knowledge of data structures and C/C++.

Round: Interview
Experience: 3 technical rounds and 1 HR round:
In the first interview I was asked some question on my resume, about the projects I had done, academics etc. Then he asked me to suggest a data structure I would use for a certain problem. He kept on increasing the complexity of the problem and asked me the suitable data structure at each step. 
The second interviewer asked me to propose a model for credit card security. He too kept on increasing the complexity level of the problem. 
The third interviewer asked me to redo some of the questions I did wrong or couldn’t attempt in the written test. 
The final interview was conducted by an HR guy who asked the basic HR questions (strengths, weaknesses, and career vision etc.)

General Tips: After spending three or four years enjoying the IITK adventure, one suddenly feels a jolt when he/she arrives in the final year. You find yourself wondering at times, asking yourself the pertinent question, what next? And seriously, the best way to start preparing for placements, GRE, CAT or any other exam for that matter is answering this question honestly. Take a few minutes of your precious time and think what you want to do with your life? Where does your heart truly lie? I know it’s not that easy to decide on this but at least give this a good thought and prioritize your options. Make a list of them on paper if that helps. Once you are done with this, the real planning starts. Take each option one by one and do a truthful analysis of yourself from the perspective of that option. For e.g., say you have CAT as your first priority, and then analyze your strengths and weaknesses from CAT’s perspective. What all areas you need to improve on? How much time and effort would it take? How much time you have got left? By doing this exercise you will really get to know the work that needs to be done and will help you plan for the remaining time.


Resume:
I am sure you would have heard it umpteen times but still I will repeat it to stress the point, take resume making seriously! A good resume would drive your interview in the direction you want it to go, a bad resume on the other hand might end the chances of you even getting interviewed! Start by trying to remember each and every achievement of your life and write it down. Spend a few days on this part till you are sure you have got almost everything. Now write it down properly in formal language in the form of a master resume. This would serve
as a repository of information for all your subsequent resumes. And on top of that, having a fresh memory of your achievements would help you in answering the questions in interviews (especially HR questions). Ideally you should have a separate resume for every company you sit for. The way to do this is make sector specific resumes and edit them accordingly for the different companies of that sector. For example, make a single resume for all the core CSE companies and then you can probably change the list of projects (or their order of appearance) targeting individual companies.

PPTs:
If you are serious about getting job in a company, you cannot afford to miss its pre placement talk. PPT is not only an opportunity to know about the company, but it also gives you the chance to know what the company is looking for. This will give you the basic idea around which you should structure your resume and preparation for that company.
Preparation:
Core Computer Science Companies: All the core CS companies first take a written test which contains questions on C/C++, may have JAVA, UNIX, Algorithms, Data Structures, basics of Operating Systems and Compilers, some questions on basic networking in case the company works in that field. Almost all the companies have a couple of questions in which you are required to write code on paper. Some companies also have a few questions on aptitude, simple maths or data interpretations. You can find the company specific details in the placement feedback guide. This is the major
shortlisting step for core companies, so you cannot take it lightly. You can start preparing by revising the relevant courses you did (like Data Structures, Algorithms, Operating Systems, and Compilers). Practice a few questions available in the various placement preparation guides on LAN. Most importantly, practice writing code on paper. This is something we are not used to and requires some practice. This not only will do you good in the written test, but also help you in the interviews.
Non Core Companies (Finance, Consulting, and Analytics):
The written tests of most of these companies are quite similar to CAT. So if you are not preparing for CAT, get hold of some CAT preparation material for practice. These tests are more speed based than knowledge, so practice is absolutely essential. Revising some basic mathematics (like probability, progressions etc.) would also do you good. Apart from that, you need to have some basic knowledge and understanding of the field the company works in. For example, if you are appearing for a finance company, learn the basic concepts and common terminologies of finance. The least it would do is show that you are sincerely interested in the field the company works in.
College Name: IIT KANPUR

Round: Test
Experience: Basic coding questions which includes if ,for ,while loop questions
Section 2 contains good probability and puzzle problems
Tips: Should have a basic understanding of C/C++
Duration: 75 minutes

Round: Interview
Experience: The questions are of medium difficulty level which can be solved easily with calm and composed mind.
Tips: Solve as many puzzles and probability problems as it is highly likely that some of them may be repeated in your interview.

Skill Tips: Should have a descent knowledge and practise of puzzles and probability
Skills: Problem solving skills
College Name: IIT GUWAHATI

Round: Test
Experience: the first round was test in which we had 3 sections of aptitude and technical questions
Tips: go through java
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Questions: 30

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: interview was taken in which technical questions were asked
Tips: go through Java concepts and data structures

College Name: Chitkara University

Round: Test
Experience: There were 2 objective written tests, 1st one had one section of mathematics questions (CAT like) and one section of Data Structure, C/C++ questions, 2nd one had only mathematics questions but they were tougher than those in the 1st test

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: I was asked some question on my resume, about the projects I had done, academics etc. Then he asked me to suggest a data structure I would use for a certain problem. He kept on increasing the complexity of the problem and asked me the suitable data structure at each step. The second interviewer asked me to propose a model for credit card security. He too kept on increasing the complexity level of the problem. The third interviewer asked me to redo some of the questions I did wrong or couldn