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Goldman Sachs Strategic Anaylst Interview Questions, Process, and Tips
Updated
19 Sep 2015
Top Goldman Sachs Strategic Anaylst Interview Questions and Answers
- Q1. What is the probability of a 8 bit string to have no more than 2 consecutive 1's. This might seem like a probability question :p. But it is actually dynamic programming.
- Q2. Given a list of numbers give an algorithm that to find 2 numbers that add up to 600. He asked me to improve the complexity with every attempt I made finally got it down t ...read more
- Q3. Which one is greater, (Pie power e ) or (e power pie) ?
Goldman Sachs Strategic Anaylst Interview Experiences
10 interviews found
Anonymous
Interview Questionnaire
2 Questions
- Q1. Given a list of numbers give an algorithm that to find 2 numbers that add up to 600. He asked me to improve the complexity with every attempt I made finally got it down to complexity of O(N)
- Ans.
Algorithm to find 2 numbers that add up to 600 from a list of numbers with O(N) complexity.
Use a hash table to store the difference between each number and 600.
Iterate through the list and check if the difference is in the hash table.
If the difference is in the hash table, return the current number and the difference.
- Q2. What is the probability of a 8 bit string to have no more than 2 consecutive 1's. This might seem like a probability question :p. But it is actually dynamic programming.
- Ans.
Probability of an 8 bit string with no more than 2 consecutive 1's using dynamic programming.
Use dynamic programming to calculate the probability of a string with no more than 2 consecutive 1's
Create a 2D array to store the probabilities of each bit position and number of consecutive 1's
Use recurrence relation to calculate the probability for each bit position based on the previous bit position
Sum up the probabilities ...
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Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: 1.5 hrs for objective questions (35 questions) and 1.5 hrs for subjective questions (35 questions). In both the objective and subjective questions the sections were: Graph theory, Math(Probability, Linear Algebra) and Algorithms. This was the selection round.
Tips: Marking was linear no negatives. Cut off was not revealed.
Duration: 3 hours minutes
Total Questions: 70
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Based on the written test and your resume interviews are scheduled. I had 3 rounds. Technical rounds are very heavy. They mostly ask questions on your projects and test your skills in probability,
Datastructures and algorithms (DSA), puzzle solving. They want to know how you solve the problem and not just the final solution. So it is always helpful to be verbose and think out loud. If you are stuck somewhere it is not a bad idea to ask for hints. I was asked a lot of questions on DSA, Dynamic programming, Machine learning and many questions on my projects (since many had mathematical modelling)
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Trying to understand the way you solve a problem. Your understanding of the job. Your preferences etc.This will be a talk with the higher management who do another analysis of you preferences and understand what kind of a person you are and if you will be able to handle some of the tough conditions that ITC employees work in.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: 1.5 hrs for objective questions (35 questions) and 1.5 hrs for subjective questions (35 questions). In both the objective and subjective questions the sections were: Graph theory, Math(Probability, Linear Algebra) and Algorithms. This was the selection round.
Tips: Marking was linear no negatives. Cut off was not revealed.
Duration: 3 hours minutes
Total Questions: 70
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Based on the written test and your resume interviews are scheduled. I had 3 rounds. Technical rounds are very heavy. They mostly ask questions on your projects and test your skills in probability,
Datastructures and algorithms (DSA), puzzle solving. They want to know how you solve the problem and not just the final solution. So it is always helpful to be verbose and think out loud. If you are stuck somewhere it is not a bad idea to ask for hints. I was asked a lot of questions on DSA, Dynamic programming, Machine learning and many questions on my projects (since many had mathematical modelling)
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Trying to understand the way you solve a problem. Your understanding of the job. Your preferences etc.This will be a talk with the higher management who do another analysis of you preferences and understand what kind of a person you are and if you will be able to handle some of the tough conditions that ITC employees work in.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Skills evaluated in this interview
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: There were 2 tests - objective and subjective.Each test was of one and half hour.Marking scheme and the cut off marks were not revealed.Questions: Topics: Graphtheory, Algorithms, Probability, and Linear Algebra.Model: Each test had three subgroups
Tips: Courses: Elec course in probability and data structures and algorithms helped to solve the questions asked. My maths elective was Linear algebra.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 3 technical rounds. 1st round - algorithms and Machine learning (ML). 2nd round - probability, algorithms. 3rd round - probability, Machine learning, algorithms, puzzles and logical questions.
Tips: Look more towards approach rather than answer.
They don’t look at speed. Once you generate idea then they will give time and also help you.
Skill Tips: Tested in coding, how you think and even tested on algorithms.
Core courses like digital systems, networks and systems, DSP, and depending on profile related courses should be revised. Projects and interns will matter for core.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: There were 2 tests - objective and subjective.Each test was of one and half hour.Marking scheme and the cut off marks were not revealed.Questions: Topics: Graphtheory, Algorithms, Probability, and Linear Algebra.Model: Each test had three subgroups
Tips: Courses: Elec course in probability and data structures and algorithms helped to solve the questions asked. My maths elective was Linear algebra.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 3 technical rounds. 1st round - algorithms and Machine learning (ML). 2nd round - probability, algorithms. 3rd round - probability, Machine learning, algorithms, puzzles and logical questions.
Tips: Look more towards approach rather than answer.
They don’t look at speed. Once you generate idea then they will give time and also help you.
Skill Tips: Tested in coding, how you think and even tested on algorithms.
Core courses like digital systems, networks and systems, DSP, and depending on profile related courses should be revised. Projects and interns will matter for core.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
asked in
Goldman Sachs
Q1. What is the probability of a 8 bit string to have no more than 2 ... read more
asked in
Goldman Sachs
Q2. Given a list of numbers give an algorithm that to find 2 numbers ... read more
asked in
Goldman Sachs
Q4. Given a fair coin , find the expected number of trails for 4 cons ... read more
asked in
Goldman Sachs
Q5. Given a graph, find whether there is a 3 cycle in the graph in an ... read more
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Tips: : A test is there with 30 objective and around 12 subjective questions. If you end up solving 4 out of the 12, you’ll be through.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: they 3-4 rounds of technical interview
Tips: They would look for good coding skills for the CS profiles. Having Machine learning would be a big plus on your resume. For the math profile, they ask a lot of probability and algebra questions. A course in discrete math will help a lot. PoRs aren’t important at all and no prior finance knowledge is important. They ask questions about the subjective questions that you solved in the previous round.
Skills:
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Tips: : A test is there with 30 objective and around 12 subjective questions. If you end up solving 4 out of the 12, you’ll be through.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: they 3-4 rounds of technical interview
Tips: They would look for good coding skills for the CS profiles. Having Machine learning would be a big plus on your resume. For the math profile, they ask a lot of probability and algebra questions. A course in discrete math will help a lot. PoRs aren’t important at all and no prior finance knowledge is important. They ask questions about the subjective questions that you solved in the previous round.
Skills:
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Interview Questionnaire
5 Questions
- Q1. Given a graph, find whether there is a 3 cycle in the graph in an efficient manner
- Ans.
Efficiently determine if a given graph contains a 3 cycle.
Use depth-first search (DFS) to traverse the graph
For each node, check if there is a path of length 3 that ends at that node
If such a path exists, return true
If DFS completes without finding a 3 cycle, return false
- Q2. Which one is greater, (Pie power e ) or (e power pie) ?
- Ans.
e^π is greater than π^e.
e^π ≈ 23.14
π^e ≈ 22.46
e^π > π^e
- Q3. Given a fair coin , find the expected number of trails for 4 consecutive heads
- Ans.
Expected number of trials for 4 consecutive heads with a fair coin.
The probability of getting 4 consecutive heads is 1/2^4 = 1/16
The expected number of trials for 4 consecutive heads is 1/p = 16
This is because the expected value of a geometric distribution with probability p is 1/p
Therefore, the expected number of flips for 4 consecutive heads is 16
- Q4. How do you manage a team?
- Ans.
I manage my team by setting clear goals, providing support and resources, and fostering open communication.
Set clear goals and expectations
Provide support and resources
Foster open communication
Encourage collaboration and teamwork
Recognize and reward achievements
Address conflicts and challenges promptly
- Q5. What if in your team, few of them stand on one side and the others stand on the other side, what would you do?
- Ans.
I would try to understand the reasons behind their differing opinions and facilitate a discussion to find a common ground.
I would schedule a team meeting to discuss the issue
I would encourage everyone to share their opinions and listen actively
I would try to find common ground and work towards a solution that everyone can agree on
I would emphasize the importance of teamwork and collaboration
I would follow up with the t...
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Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: It was an online test. Questions were from Probability, Graph theory, linear algebra , hard core mathematics , coding and algorithms. Objective- 1 hour, Subjective – 2 hours
Tips: It requires deep knowledge of the above.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 2 rounds of technical interview. Speed was not a problem for GS unlike other companies. Its more aboutknowledge than speed.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: In HR round, they ask simple questions, if you reach HR round, it means that youare almost selected. Minors like physics or mathematics and Computation helps for GS.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: It was an online test. Questions were from Probability, Graph theory, linear algebra , hard core mathematics , coding and algorithms. Objective- 1 hour, Subjective – 2 hours
Tips: It requires deep knowledge of the above.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 2 rounds of technical interview. Speed was not a problem for GS unlike other companies. Its more aboutknowledge than speed.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: In HR round, they ask simple questions, if you reach HR round, it means that youare almost selected. Minors like physics or mathematics and Computation helps for GS.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Skills evaluated in this interview
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: It is important to score well in the objective section atleast. Usually, the questions are so hard, that people walk off within a few minutes of the test. It can take as much as 1 hour to get even 1 question. For the subjective questions, do write all the steps, as they also look for the approach to the problem.
Duration: 150minutes minutes
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Try to tell your thoughts to them; if you are unable to solve the problem, and if you don’t tell them your approach, you’ll get rejected. Even if the final answer is not correct, if the approach is correct, you’ll be selected
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: It is important to score well in the objective section atleast. Usually, the questions are so hard, that people walk off within a few minutes of the test. It can take as much as 1 hour to get even 1 question. For the subjective questions, do write all the steps, as they also look for the approach to the problem.
Duration: 150minutes minutes
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Try to tell your thoughts to them; if you are unable to solve the problem, and if you don’t tell them your approach, you’ll get rejected. Even if the final answer is not correct, if the approach is correct, you’ll be selected
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: Objective part of the test had total 10 questions and weren't any basic questions. The questions were hard for those who didn't do any related course.Subjective part had questions regarding proofs from graph theory,algorithms and Stochastic process questions. E.g.: If the probability of an insect dying from time t to t+dt is a function f (t)(which is given).What is the expected time of survival of insect/how many insects would still be surviving at the end of a certain interval of time. Step marks were awarded in the subjective part of test,so it was okay even if your answer isn't correct.I answered only 2 out of 12 subjective questions.
Tips: Don't leave in between the test.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 3-4 rounds of interviews were held, 35 minutes each round.Questions asked in interview depended on which objective section you have answered in the test.I had attempted maths so Maths puzzle questions were asked. Questions kept on getting tougher. Interviewer asked a question and left the room. We had to get the answer before he came back.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Only two candidates had HR interviews and this seemed random. The only common denominator being that they both took part in GS Quantify.Interviewers were friendly and helpful and if we asked questions in return,they showed curiosity.
General Tips: Doing a course on Discreet Mathematics will help a lot with the test and revise that before the test.Do a lot of puzzles before appearing for this interview.
Skill Tips: Mention any math course except for the compulsory ones,MA101&102 in your resume.If your minor is Management or Economics mention it and mention any online finance courses if done.Highlight any achievements and attending the McKinsey resume workshop will be very useful.
Skills: Out of the box thinking., How well you can think under pressure., How can you adapt the solution to a simple problem to a much larger/complex one.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: Objective part of the test had total 10 questions and weren't any basic questions. The questions were hard for those who didn't do any related course.Subjective part had questions regarding proofs from graph theory,algorithms and Stochastic process questions. E.g.: If the probability of an insect dying from time t to t+dt is a function f (t)(which is given).What is the expected time of survival of insect/how many insects would still be surviving at the end of a certain interval of time. Step marks were awarded in the subjective part of test,so it was okay even if your answer isn't correct.I answered only 2 out of 12 subjective questions.
Tips: Don't leave in between the test.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 3-4 rounds of interviews were held, 35 minutes each round.Questions asked in interview depended on which objective section you have answered in the test.I had attempted maths so Maths puzzle questions were asked. Questions kept on getting tougher. Interviewer asked a question and left the room. We had to get the answer before he came back.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Only two candidates had HR interviews and this seemed random. The only common denominator being that they both took part in GS Quantify.Interviewers were friendly and helpful and if we asked questions in return,they showed curiosity.
General Tips: Doing a course on Discreet Mathematics will help a lot with the test and revise that before the test.Do a lot of puzzles before appearing for this interview.
Skill Tips: Mention any math course except for the compulsory ones,MA101&102 in your resume.If your minor is Management or Economics mention it and mention any online finance courses if done.Highlight any achievements and attending the McKinsey resume workshop will be very useful.
Skills: Out of the box thinking., How well you can think under pressure., How can you adapt the solution to a simple problem to a much larger/complex one.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: GS has a paper-based test consisting of both subjective and objective questions. The pattern for the test typically varies every year.
However, the paper tests candidates on pre-calculus math, probability (up to and including random processes), some linear algebra and basic calculus, analytics and puzzles. There's also separate section on computer science including graph theory.
The criterion for qualification to the final interview round is that the student should do exceedingly well and at least one of math and computer science sections but not necessarily in both.
In my case, for example, being from electrical engineering background, I had very little expertise in computer science. But I did well in the math section and hence got a call for the interview.
Tips: Most analytics firms won't bother that much about resume. The more important part would be their written test. This is where they will filter out most students.
Firms other than GS have fairly simple aptitude tests. Most companies also have a coding section in their tests. I would urge everyone to start early enough and get familiar with programming and C++ / C / Python. This is one thing that I did not do and should have done.
If you are good at math (or computer science), the test is a cakewalk.
If you are not so confident, I would suggest that you choose your strong area (math / computer science) and prepare from the start of the semester.
40 Puzzles and Problems in Probability and Mathematical Statistics and Heard on the Street are good sources for gaining confidence in probability.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Interview, as such, does not require any preparation different from what is required for
the written test. There's little or no HR component to the interviews.
This holds for GS as well as most other analytics firms.
General Tips: Most analytics firms won't bother that much about resume.
The more important part would be their written test. This is where they will filter out most students.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Experience: GS has a paper-based test consisting of both subjective and objective questions. The pattern for the test typically varies every year.
However, the paper tests candidates on pre-calculus math, probability (up to and including random processes), some linear algebra and basic calculus, analytics and puzzles. There's also separate section on computer science including graph theory.
The criterion for qualification to the final interview round is that the student should do exceedingly well and at least one of math and computer science sections but not necessarily in both.
In my case, for example, being from electrical engineering background, I had very little expertise in computer science. But I did well in the math section and hence got a call for the interview.
Tips: Most analytics firms won't bother that much about resume. The more important part would be their written test. This is where they will filter out most students.
Firms other than GS have fairly simple aptitude tests. Most companies also have a coding section in their tests. I would urge everyone to start early enough and get familiar with programming and C++ / C / Python. This is one thing that I did not do and should have done.
If you are good at math (or computer science), the test is a cakewalk.
If you are not so confident, I would suggest that you choose your strong area (math / computer science) and prepare from the start of the semester.
40 Puzzles and Problems in Probability and Mathematical Statistics and Heard on the Street are good sources for gaining confidence in probability.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Interview, as such, does not require any preparation different from what is required for
the written test. There's little or no HR component to the interviews.
This holds for GS as well as most other analytics firms.
General Tips: Most analytics firms won't bother that much about resume.
The more important part would be their written test. This is where they will filter out most students.
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Experience: The test contains four sections out of which only 2 have to be attempted. 42 people were shortlisted based on the test out of nearly 200 applicants.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 3 Technical interviews.
The questions will be tailor made based on the sections you attempted in the test. General mathematical skills were tested- questions on linear algebra, probability, Olympiad type questions etc.
Algorithm- questions on OS, coding etc.(more for candidates from CS).
Details about projects/interns done were asked.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Regular HR questions, questions based on resume were asked. Almost all sections of the resume were covered.
Skill Tips: Candidates aspiring for the CS profiles are expected to have a good knowledge of coding.
Skills: Probability, Field Calculus, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Linear Algebra
College Name: IIT-Madras
Experience: The test contains four sections out of which only 2 have to be attempted. 42 people were shortlisted based on the test out of nearly 200 applicants.
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: There were 3 Technical interviews.
The questions will be tailor made based on the sections you attempted in the test. General mathematical skills were tested- questions on linear algebra, probability, Olympiad type questions etc.
Algorithm- questions on OS, coding etc.(more for candidates from CS).
Details about projects/interns done were asked.
Round: HR Interview
Experience: Regular HR questions, questions based on resume were asked. Almost all sections of the resume were covered.
Skill Tips: Candidates aspiring for the CS profiles are expected to have a good knowledge of coding.
Skills: Probability, Field Calculus, Algorithms, Operating Systems, Linear Algebra
College Name: IIT-Madras
Interview Questionnaire
1 Question
- Q1. Questions from Probability, Markov Chains, Induction
Add your answer
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Test
Tips: For Quantitative section prepare from JEE Math & Discrete Math. For Algorithms you can refer Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Interview
Experience: No Finance fundaes needed
Round: Interview
Experience: There were no HR rounds after this.
Tips: No grammatical errors, use simple language, Order it logically, Get it checked by atleast 5 ppl, Highlight projects relevant to the profile, 30 sec answer to every question/resume point, Dramatize solutions, Think loudly.
Skill Tips: """Coding is crucial in a financial company. As of now, companies are looking for ways to automate the trading process. Tower research is a very high paying firm that specializes in high frequency trading. They hire interns to optimize the order of the algorithms employed."""
Skills: Coding, Analytical Thinking, Problem solving ability
College Name: IIT Madras
Tips: For Quantitative section prepare from JEE Math & Discrete Math. For Algorithms you can refer Introduction to Algorithms by Cormen.
Duration: 180 minutes
Round: Interview
Experience: No Finance fundaes needed
Round: Interview
Experience: There were no HR rounds after this.
Tips: No grammatical errors, use simple language, Order it logically, Get it checked by atleast 5 ppl, Highlight projects relevant to the profile, 30 sec answer to every question/resume point, Dramatize solutions, Think loudly.
Skill Tips: """Coding is crucial in a financial company. As of now, companies are looking for ways to automate the trading process. Tower research is a very high paying firm that specializes in high frequency trading. They hire interns to optimize the order of the algorithms employed."""
Skills: Coding, Analytical Thinking, Problem solving ability
College Name: IIT Madras
Sameer Wagh
Interview Preparation Tips
Round: Technical Interview
Experience: CS and Math, start with Puzzles and gradually build upon them to test your thinking abilities. No stress interview at all.
Round: Test
Experience: CS and Math questions, some subjective and some objective.
Skill Tips: ""
Skills: Math, Thinking, Probability
College Name: IIT Madras
Motivation: The job was highly technical and the challenges solved were mathematically challenging for me.
Experience: CS and Math, start with Puzzles and gradually build upon them to test your thinking abilities. No stress interview at all.
Round: Test
Experience: CS and Math questions, some subjective and some objective.
Skill Tips: ""
Skills: Math, Thinking, Probability
College Name: IIT Madras
Motivation: The job was highly technical and the challenges solved were mathematically challenging for me.
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gandalfthepurple
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works at
MicroEnergy Credits, Corp.
SQL and Python Interview Tips needed ASAP!
My SQL and Python technical round is in 3 days and I need a list of important topics to practice for Python. I have worked on NumPy and Pandas libraries at my current workplace. Need an exhaustive list of topics that you guys have been asked in DA/BA role interviews.
The interview is for a Big4 company.
Any help is much appreciated!
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