100+ QS Quacquarelli Symonds Interview Questions and Answers

SLA stands for Service Level Agreement and TAT stands for Turnaround Time.

• SLA is a contract between a service provider and a customer that outlines the level of service expected.

• TAT is the amount of time it takes to complete a task or request.

• SLA and TAT are often used in IT to ensure that services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

• For example, an SLA may specify that a service provider will respond to a customer's request within 24 hours, and the TAT may be 48 hours ...read more

ABC analysis is a technique used in inventory management to categorize items based on their importance.

• ABC analysis classifies items into categories A, B, and C based on their value and contribution to overall inventory costs.

• Category A items are high value items that make up a small percentage of total items but contribute a large percentage of total inventory costs.

• Category B items are moderate value items that make up a moderate percentage of total items and contribute a m...read more

GPOS is a general-purpose operating system while RTOS is a real-time operating system.

• GPOS is designed to handle a wide range of applications while RTOS is designed to handle time-critical applications.

• GPOS has a higher latency and lower determinism compared to RTOS.

• RTOS has a smaller footprint and faster response time compared to GPOS.

• Examples of GPOS include Windows, Linux, and macOS while examples of RTOS include FreeRTOS, VxWorks, and QNX.

Delete command removes rows from a table, while drop command removes entire table structure.

• DELETE command is used to remove specific rows from a table based on a condition

• DROP command is used to remove an entire table along with its structure

• DELETE command can be rolled back using transactions, while DROP command cannot be rolled back

• Example: DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition; DROP TABLE table_name;

The impact of artificial intelligence on customer service

• AI chatbots can provide instant responses to customer queries

• AI can analyze customer data to personalize interactions

• AI can help predict customer behavior and improve customer satisfaction

Merge two sorted linked lists into a single sorted linked list.

• Create a new linked list to store the merged result.

• Compare the values of the nodes from both input lists and add the smaller value to the result list.

• Move the pointer of the list with the smaller value to the next node and continue the process until both input lists are empty.

Server backup can be taken using various methods and tools.

• Use built-in backup tools like Windows Server Backup or third-party tools like Acronis Backup

• Choose the backup type - full, incremental or differential

• Select the backup destination - external hard drive, network location or cloud storage

• Schedule regular backups to ensure data is always up-to-date

• Test the backup to ensure it can be restored in case of a disaster

Accrual is the process of recognizing and recording expenses or revenues in the financial statements, even if the cash has not been exchanged.

• Accrual accounting recognizes transactions when they occur, regardless of when the cash is received or paid.

• It ensures that financial statements reflect the economic reality of a business.

• Accrued expenses and accrued revenues are common examples of accruals.

• Accruals are necessary to match expenses with revenues in the same accounting pe...read more

The accounts payable cycle is the process of receiving, verifying, and paying invoices from vendors.

• Invoices are received from vendors for goods or services provided

• Invoices are verified for accuracy and approved for payment

• Payments are made to vendors within the agreed upon terms

• The cycle repeats for each invoice received

Translate situation-based Japanese email test into English and vice versa

• Understand the context and tone of the email before translating

• Maintain cultural nuances and formalities in the translation

• Use appropriate language and expressions based on the situation

• Ensure accuracy and clarity in the translation

• Proofread and edit the translated email for any errors

Switch is a networking device that connects devices together and allows them to communicate with each other.

• Switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model.

• They use MAC addresses to forward data to the correct destination.

• Switches can improve network performance by reducing collisions and congestion.

• Examples of switches include Cisco Catalyst, Juniper EX Series, and HP ProCurve.

• Switches can also provide advanced features such as VLANs, QoS, and link aggregation.

I am flexible with night shifts and have prior experience working during those hours.

• I have no issues with working night shifts and can adjust my schedule accordingly.

• I have previously worked night shifts in my previous role as a Technical Support Engineer.

• I understand the importance of providing support during non-traditional hours and I am willing to do so.

• I am accustomed to working in a 24/7 support environment and can handle the demands of night shifts.

One common problem faced is difficulty in meeting sales targets due to market saturation. Solution provided includes identifying new target markets and implementing innovative sales strategies.

• Identifying new target markets to expand customer base

• Implementing innovative sales strategies to differentiate from competitors

• Providing ongoing training and support to sales team to improve performance

SCSI, SATA, and tape drives are types of disks used for storage.

• SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) is a high-performance interface used for connecting devices like hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and tape drives.

• SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) is a newer interface used for connecting hard drives and solid-state drives.

• Tape drives use magnetic tape to store data and are often used for backup and archival purposes.

• SCSI and SATA drives are typically used for primary...read more

An IP address is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to a computer network.

• IP addresses are used to identify and locate devices on a network.

• There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6.

• IPv4 addresses consist of four sets of numbers separated by periods (e.g. 192.168.1.1).

• IPv6 addresses are longer and consist of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits separated by colons (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334).

Hike levels depend on performance, market trends, and company policies.

• Hike levels are determined based on employee performance.

• Market trends and industry standards also play a role in determining hike levels.

• Company policies and budget constraints may limit the amount of hike given.

• Hike levels may vary across different departments and job roles.

• Examples of hike levels can range from 5% to 15% depending on the factors mentioned above.

Bootup sequence is the process of starting up a computer system.

• Power on self-test (POST) is performed

• BIOS is loaded and executed

• Bootloader is loaded and executed

• Operating system kernel is loaded and executed

• Device drivers are loaded and initialized

• User login prompt is displayed

The most popular laptops in the market are typically from brands like Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.

• Popular laptop brands include Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo

• Consider factors like processing power, storage capacity, and battery life when choosing a laptop

• Look for laptops with good customer reviews and reliable customer support

A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks.

• Routers operate at the network layer of the OSI model.

• They use routing tables to determine the best path for data to travel.

• Routers can connect different types of networks, such as LANs and WANs.

• They can also provide security by blocking unauthorized access to a network.

• Examples of routers include Cisco, Netgear, and TP-Link.

HP is a leading technology company known for its innovative products and solutions.

• HP has a strong reputation for quality and reliability.

• They offer a wide range of products and services to meet diverse customer needs.

• HP invests heavily in research and development, leading to cutting-edge technology.

• Their customer support and technical expertise are highly regarded.

• HP has a global presence and a strong network of partners and distributors.

• They have a track record of successfu...read more

A server is a computer or software program that provides functionality for other programs or devices, often in a networked environment.

• A server stores and manages data, files, or applications that can be accessed by clients over a network.

• Servers can provide various services such as web hosting, email hosting, file storage, and database management.

• Examples of servers include web servers like Apache or Nginx, email servers like Microsoft Exchange, and file servers like Windows...read more

Memory concepts in C and IPC involve understanding memory management in C programming and inter-process communication techniques.

• Memory management in C involves concepts like stack, heap, and static memory allocation.

• IPC techniques include shared memory, message queues, and semaphores for communication between processes.

• Understanding pointers and memory allocation is crucial for efficient memory management in C programming.

• Examples: Using malloc() and free() for dynamic memor...read more

I2C is a serial communication protocol used to connect multiple devices with two wires.

• I2C stands for Inter-Integrated Circuit

• It uses two wires - SDA (Serial Data) and SCL (Serial Clock)

• It supports multiple devices on the same bus using unique addresses

• It operates in master-slave mode where the master initiates the communication

• It uses ACK/NACK signals to confirm successful data transmission

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Kubernetes follows a master-slave architecture with a master node controlling multiple worker nodes.

• Master node components include API server, scheduler, controller manager, and etcd.

• Worker node components include kubelet, kube-proxy, and container runtime (e.g. Docker).

• Kubernetes uses Pods as the smallest deployable units, which can c...read more

Print 1 to n using recursion

• Define a recursive function that takes n as input

• Base case: if n is 1, print 1 and return

• Recursive case: call the function with n-1 and print n

Structure padding is the insertion of unused bytes between structure members to align them to memory boundaries.

• Padding is added to ensure that each member of the structure is aligned to a memory address that is a multiple of its size.

• Padding is added to improve performance by allowing the CPU to access data more efficiently.

• Padding can be controlled using compiler-specific directives or pragmas.

• Example: struct example { char a; int b; char c; }; - padding will be added betwe...read more

3 way handshake is a process used in TCP/IP network to establish a connection between two devices.

• The client sends a SYN packet to the server

• The server responds with a SYN-ACK packet

• The client sends an ACK packet to the server to confirm the connection

• This process is used to ensure reliable communication between devices

Our product is a cutting-edge technical solution that streamlines your workflow and boosts productivity.

• Our product is designed to save you time and money by automating repetitive tasks.

• With our product, you can easily manage and track your projects in real-time.

• Our product is user-friendly and customizable to fit your specific needs.

• Our product is backed by a team of experts who provide top-notch support and training.

• By using our product, you can stay ahead of the competitio...read more

Docker container runtime is the engine that executes containers, managing their lifecycle and resources.

• Docker container runtime is responsible for running and managing Docker containers.

• It provides an isolated environment for applications to run without affecting the host system.

• Popular container runtimes include Docker Engine, containerd, and CRI-O.

Deferred revenue is revenue that has been received by a company, but has not yet been earned.

• Deferred revenue is a liability on the company's balance sheet.

• It represents revenue that has been paid by customers in advance for goods or services that have not yet been delivered.

• As the goods or services are provided, the deferred revenue is gradually recognized as revenue on the income statement.

• Examples include magazine subscriptions, software licenses, and annual maintenance co...read more

A network is a group of interconnected devices that can communicate and share resources.

• Networks can be wired or wireless

• Devices on a network can include computers, printers, routers, and servers

• Networks can be local (LAN) or wide area (WAN)

• Examples of networks include the internet, home networks, and corporate networks

Reverse a linked list in groups of k nodes

• Break the linked list into groups of k nodes

• Reverse each group individually

• Connect the reversed groups back together

HPE servers are high-performance servers manufactured by Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HPE switches are networking devices used to connect multiple devices in a network.

• HPE servers are known for their reliability, scalability, and performance.

• HPE switches are used to create a network infrastructure by connecting multiple devices.

• Examples of HPE servers include ProLiant DL380 Gen10 and Superdome Flex.

• Examples of HPE switches include Aruba 2930F and OfficeConnect 1420.

Common types of network topologies include bus, star, ring, mesh, and hybrid.

• Bus: all devices are connected to a central cable

• Star: all devices are connected to a central hub

• Ring: each device is connected to two other devices, forming a ring

• Mesh: each device is connected to every other device

• Hybrid: combination of two or more different topologies

Containerization is a lightweight, portable, and self-sufficient way to package and run applications.

• Containerization involves encapsulating an application and its dependencies into a container image.

• Containers are isolated from each other and share the host OS kernel.

• Popular containerization platforms include Docker and Kubernetes.

• Containerization allows for easy deployment and scaling of applications.

Indexing in SQL is a technique used to improve the performance of queries by creating a data structure that allows for faster retrieval of data.

• Indexes are created on columns in a database table to speed up the retrieval of rows that match a certain condition in a query.

• They work similar to the index in a book, allowing the database to quickly locate the rows that satisfy the query.

• Indexes can be created using a single column or a combination of columns, depending on the quer...read more

Socket programming is a way of connecting two nodes on a network to communicate with each other.

• It involves creating a socket object on both the client and server side.

• The client sends a request to the server through the socket.

• The server receives the request and sends a response back through the same socket.

• Common protocols used in socket programming include TCP and UDP.

• Examples of applications that use socket programming include web browsers, email clients, and chat applica...read more

Profile screening is a process of evaluating a candidate's qualifications and experience to determine their relevance to a job position.

• Profile screening involves reviewing resumes, cover letters, and job applications.

• Employers use profile screening to identify candidates who meet the job requirements.

• Screening criteria may include education, work experience, skills, and certifications.

• Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are often used to automate the screening process.

• Profile s...read more

Queue can be implemented using linked list by maintaining head and tail pointers.

• Create a node structure with data and next pointer

• Maintain head and tail pointers to keep track of front and rear of queue

• Enqueue by adding node at tail and dequeue by removing node from head

A classroom management system to track student attendance, grades, assignments, and communication with parents.

• Track student attendance using RFID cards or biometric scanners

• Record grades for each assignment and calculate overall grade

• Manage assignments and deadlines with notifications for students

• Enable communication between teachers, students, and parents through messaging system

Blue windows come from a feature called Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) in Windows operating systems.

• Blue windows appear when a system error occurs in Windows operating systems, commonly known as Blue Screen of Death (BSOD).

• BSOD is designed to provide information about the error that caused the system crash.

• The blue color is used to make the error message stand out and grab the user's attention.

• Blue windows are often associated with system crashes and hardware failures in Windows...read more

To take AHS logs, use the AHS Collector tool provided by the vendor.

• Download and install the AHS Collector tool from the vendor's website.

• Run the tool and select the appropriate options for the logs you want to collect.

• Save the logs to a location of your choice for analysis.

• Provide the logs to the vendor's support team for troubleshooting.

• Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access the logs on the server.

HTTP/1.1 is the older version with persistent connections, HTTP/2.0 introduces multiplexing and server push, and HTTP/3.0 uses QUIC protocol for faster performance.

• HTTP/1.1 uses persistent connections for each request/response, leading to potential performance issues.

• HTTP/2.0 introduces multiplexing, allowing multiple requests/responses to be sent over a single connection simultaneously.

• HTTP/2.0 also supports server push, where the server can send resources to the client befo...read more

I am currently located in New York City.

• New York City

• Specific address or neighborhood

• Nearby landmarks or attractions

Memory mapping is the process of assigning a physical address to a virtual address in a computer's memory.

• Memory mapping allows programs to access physical memory without knowing its exact location.

• It helps in efficient memory management by allowing multiple programs to share the same physical memory.

• Memory mapping is commonly used in operating systems and device drivers.

• Examples of memory mapping techniques include paging and segmentation.

• Memory mapping can also be used for ...read more

SOLID principles are a set of five design principles for writing maintainable and scalable code.

• S - Single Responsibility Principle: A class should have only one reason to change.

• O - Open/Closed Principle: A class should be open for extension but closed for modification.

• L - Liskov Substitution Principle: Subtypes should be substitutable for their base types.

• I - Interface Segregation Principle: Clients should not be forced to depend on interfaces they do not use.

• D - Dependency...read more

REST API is a set of rules and conventions for building and interacting with web services using HTTP methods.

• REST stands for Representational State Transfer

• Uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE

• Data is transferred in JSON or XML format

• Stateless communication between client and server

• Example: GET request to retrieve data from a server

Increase HP business by focusing on customer needs, expanding product offerings, and improving marketing strategies.

• Identify customer needs and tailor solutions to meet them

• Expand product offerings to attract new customers and retain existing ones

• Improve marketing strategies to reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness

TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) is an Indian multinational IT services and consulting company.

• TCS is one of the largest IT services companies in the world.

• It offers services such as software development, consulting, and business process outsourcing.

• TCS is part of the Tata Group, a conglomerate based in India.

• The company has a global presence with offices in multiple countries.

• TCS is known for its innovation and digital transformation solutions.

End to end process refers to the complete workflow from start to finish of a particular task or project.

• Identifying the initial requirements or goals

• Planning and strategizing the steps to achieve those goals

• Executing the plan

• Monitoring progress and making adjustments as needed

• Completing the task or project and evaluating the outcomes

Efficiently calculate power of 2 using bitwise operations

• Use bitwise left shift operator to calculate power of 2

• For example, to calculate 2^5, use 1 << 5 which equals 32

• Bitwise operations are faster than traditional multiplication for power of 2 calculations

SDWAN market is rapidly growing with increasing adoption due to benefits like improved network performance and cost savings.

• SDWAN market is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace due to increasing demand for cloud-based applications and services.

• Key drivers for SDWAN market growth include digital transformation initiatives, remote work trends, and the need for secure and reliable connectivity.

• Major players in the SDWAN market include Cisco, VMware, and Silver Peak, offe...read more

Accounting is the process of recording, summarizing, analyzing, and reporting financial transactions of a business.

• Involves recording financial transactions

• Summarizing financial data in financial statements

• Analyzing financial information to make business decisions

• Reporting financial results to stakeholders

• Examples: preparing balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements

Deferred revenue is revenue that has been received but not yet earned, so it is recorded as a liability until the goods or services are delivered.

• Deferred revenue is a liability on the balance sheet until the revenue is recognized.

• It is common in subscription-based businesses where customers pay upfront for services to be provided over time.

• Once the revenue is earned, it is recognized on the income statement.

• Examples include magazine subscriptions, software licenses, and prep...read more

Implement a stack using two queues

• Use two queues to simulate stack operations

• Push operation: Enqueue the element to queue1

• Pop operation: Dequeue all elements from queue1 to queue2, dequeue the last element from queue1, then swap the queues

• Top operation: Dequeue all elements from queue1 to queue2, dequeue the last element from queue1, store it, swap the queues, enqueue the stored element back to queue1, and return it

• Example: Push 1, Push 2, Pop, Push 3, Top should return 3

TCS is a global IT services, consulting, and business solutions company.

• Founded in 1968 by Tata Group

• Headquartered in Mumbai, India

• Provides services in areas like IT consulting, software development, and business process outsourcing

• One of the largest IT services companies in the world

REST API is a standard protocol for web services using HTTP, while gRPC is a high-performance, open-source RPC framework.

• REST API uses HTTP for communication, making it easy to implement and widely supported.

• gRPC is a modern, high-performance RPC framework that uses HTTP/2 for transport and Protocol Buffers for serialization.

• gRPC is more efficient in terms of performance and supports features like bidirectional streaming and authentication.

• REST API is simpler to understand an...read more

Credit demo is a demonstration of how credit is applied to an account or transaction.

• Credit demo shows how credit is allocated to specific accounts or transactions.

• It helps in understanding the process of crediting accounts accurately.

• Examples include showing how a credit memo is applied to an invoice to reduce the amount owed by a customer.

Debit memo is a document issued by a buyer to inform a seller of a deduction in the amount owed due to returned goods or other reasons.

• Debit memo is used to notify the seller of a reduction in the amount owed.

• It is typically issued when there are discrepancies in the invoice, returned goods, or other reasons for a deduction.

• The seller may then adjust their accounts receivable to reflect the reduced amount.

• Debit memos are important for maintaining accurate financial records an...read more

Kubernetes is an open-source container orchestration platform for automating deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• Kubernetes helps in automating the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

• It allows for easy scaling of applications by adding or removing containers based on demand.

• Kubernetes provides features like load balancing, self-healing, and rolling updates for applications.

• It simplifies the management of containers ...read more

Handling client visits involves preparation, professionalism, and excellent communication skills.

• Prepare the meeting room or office space in advance

• Greet the client warmly and professionally

• Listen actively to the client's needs and concerns

• Offer refreshments or amenities as appropriate

• Provide any necessary materials or information

• Follow up with a thank you note or email after the visit

RAID is a data storage technology that combines multiple disk drives into a single unit for improved performance, fault tolerance, or both.

• RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks.

• There are different RAID levels such as RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, etc.

• RAID 0 offers improved performance by striping data across multiple drives, but has no fault tolerance.

• RAID 1 mirrors data across two drives for redundancy.

• RAID 5 uses striping with parity for both performance a...read more

SDWAN use cases include optimizing network performance, improving application performance, enhancing security, and reducing costs.

• Optimizing network performance by utilizing multiple connection types

• Improving application performance by prioritizing traffic based on application requirements

• Enhancing security by implementing encryption and segmentation

• Reducing costs by leveraging cost-effective internet connections

The golden rule of accounting states that debit what comes in and credit what goes out.

• Debit what comes in and credit what goes out

• Assets = Liabilities + Equity

• Helps maintain the balance in financial transactions

Use a Set data structure to remove duplicates from a list of strings.

• Create a Set to store unique elements

• Iterate through the list and add each element to the Set

• Convert the Set back to a list to get the list without duplicates

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven different layers.

• The OSI model stands for Open Systems Interconnection model.

• It helps in understanding how different networking protocols work together.

• Each layer has a specific function and communicates with the layers above and below it.

• Examples of layers include physical layer, data link layer, network layer, transport layer, session layer, presenta...read more

Reverse a linked list by changing the pointers direction

• Start with three pointers: current, previous, and next

• Iterate through the linked list, updating the pointers to reverse the direction

• Return the new head of the reversed linked list

SQL queries involving JOINS are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them.

• Use INNER JOIN to return rows when there is at least one match in both tables

• Use LEFT JOIN to return all rows from the left table, and the matched rows from the right table

• Use RIGHT JOIN to return all rows from the right table, and the matched rows from the left table

• Use FULL JOIN to return rows when there is a match in one of the tables

Factorial of a number is the product of all positive integers less than or equal to that number.

• Factorial of 5 is 5! = 5 x 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 = 120

• Factorial of 0 is defined as 1, 0! = 1

• Factorial of negative numbers is not defined

Finding a subsequence of strings in an array

• Iterate through the array and check if each string is part of the subsequence

• Maintain a pointer for the subsequence and array to compare elements

• Return true if all strings in the subsequence are found in the array

Threads in Java allow for concurrent execution of multiple tasks within a single program.

• Threads are instances of the java.lang.Thread class.

• They allow for parallel execution of code segments.

• Threads can be created by extending the Thread class or implementing the Runnable interface.

• Example: Thread t1 = new Thread(new MyRunnable()); t1.start();