Microsoft Research System Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Test
Experience: Basic Math is tested. Selected students are called for an interview. CG cutoff was 9.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Since it is a research profile, they will ask you to talk about your areas of interest and specifically, what work you have done in those areas.

General Tips: The work entails research related to practical applications. They give out just one offer every year. They do usually have a waitlist though. In case the person who is made the offer rejects it, the next guy is given an offer.
College Name: IIT MADRAS

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: The question was a little bizarre , and was open ended. The interviewers were able to provide corner cases and counter examples for my solutions, but they too couldn't lead towards the write solution. In the end they asked me to think over it. They asked me more basic questions on NLP as it was my research interest, but I was able to answer them.
Tips: Know what you know and what you don't know. Keep talking to the interviewer and follow the aloud thinking process. Keep the interviewer in the loop with you.

Round: Puzzle Interview
Experience: He asked me to do a simple puzzle on his mobile where i have to rearrange vertices of a graph to follow some condition. I didn't know the solution but i kept trying, trying to solve one case after another. Turned out, wasn't that difficult.

Round: Group Activity
Experience: Five students were shortlisted for this, 3 questions were given for it. We had to solve them and discuss our solutions later with the interviewers. The questions weren't difficult, it was just how you told them their solutions and how you answered their counter arguments .

Skill Tips: Read your resume thoroughly and go through your research interests carefully.
Skills: Programming, Research Interests, Resume reading
College Name: IIT KANPUR
Motivation: I always wanted to work for a research lab , as development companies didn't attract me. So i was focusing for IBM IRL , Xerox and Samsung R&D. Luckily I got IBM.

Round: Test
Experience: Questions test aptitude, coding and Machine learning skills
Duration: 1 hour
Total Questions: 8

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: They asks mostly about the projects one has done. They also focus on the courses. They also ask HR questions.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Same as before round. They went into the depth of projects.

Skills: Machine Learning
College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Test
Experience: Written Round. Basic probab and algo questions.
Duration: 1 hour
Total Questions: 8

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Mostly asked about my Dual Degree Project
Tips: Present printouts of your research papers to the panel

Round: Technical + HR Interview
Experience: Also, related to DDP. Asked questions on how it can be extended to other domains. Why do you want to a part of IBM Research?
Tips: Before the interview, go through the company's website and find out the projects relevant to your field. Then discuss them when they ask for doubts or questions.

College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Be very thorough eith the project . They look for some novelty in your project work. A publication can really help.
Tips: My profile was ML based. Be thorough with ur resume.

College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Test
Experience: Verbal section was a easy section,It comprised of Comprehension,Spotting errors,Synonyms,Antonyms,Relationship between two given words,Rearranging the sentences.Logical reasoning the second section in which problems on data interpretation,blood relations,syllogism,where there with little bit difficulty.third section was of quant we usual  think it's easy but this was a tough one! with standard problems,percentage,profit loss,speed distance time.....etc.
Tips: While,attempting verbal part always give most appropriate answers.Options may be more confusing and closer one but you have to select the correct one!!!!! Always check for sectional cutoff and if its there then try to attempt each section properly if not then concentrate on section in which you are strong....refer to sites such as IndiaBIX, M4maths, freshersworld for aptitude questions
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 75

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: GD was not a round included for Capgemini placement test,Pearson versant english test was there once you clear your apti but due to technical faults GD was the round taken.There was a group of 10 people and we were given topic and 5 mins for preparation then GD was started.I was the second one to speak on the topic,I was in the favour of MNC because I really feel that for freshers Indian IT company is not very great start.Rather if one starts with MNC then it gets a brand name associated with them and also global exposure for one.And also Indian IT sectors are largely collaborating with the MNCs so for fresher MNC is a good start than Indian IT company.
Tips: I will suggest you to understand the topic well,jot down the points you want to say and then always initiate for the GD do not argue,just humbly disagree to the topic,do not get personal in it...as soon as you start the supervisor judges you so do not hesitate and just put your points confidently only your English is judged by this...
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: HR Interview
Experience: As I entered they  checked me from top to bottom means how formally you are dressed and shoes,then asked for my resume and started to see and verify each and everything written in it is true and genuine.And both TR and HR interview was taken simultaneously.My interview was the quicker one they just started with name then all above mentioned questions....
Tips: Go properly dressed with shoes polished,do not panic or try to recollect what you  have prepared just be genuine.Write resume neatly and study it well they scan it and ask most questions from it...

Round: Pearson versant English test
Experience: This test consist of two sections firstly the telephonic round in which we were provided with one toll free number and  unique test-id then it was for about 20 mins we talked on telephone.The questions asked were on basic english,like  repeat the sentences,correct the jumbled sentences,complete the sentences,answer in yes or no.Second test was a computer based test for 60 mins in which complete the sentences synonyms,copying the passage,email writing ,listen and write,were few of the questions directed.this test is taken mainly to check your english and writing skills.
Tips: Be clear and loud enough in telephonic test,and search placement papers of every company you sit for.

General Tips: "Try try you will succeed" always believe on this saying and keep giving tests if you failed in one!!
College Name: TERNA ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Motivation: Capgemini is one of good MNC its under top 10 best IT companies also its symbol spade which represented free enivronment to work and moto "People matter,results count".motivated me to join it!

Round: Test
Experience: Aptitude was not too easy or too tough like that of CAT. But if one has prepared for CAT exam even a bit, then he can perform pretty well.
Tips: Practice previous year CAT papers. Question sections and format asked in Capgemini test will be similar to that of CAT exam. Improve reading skills by reading anything that interests you.
Duration: 180 minutes
Total Questions: 120

Round: Other Interview
Experience: You will have to talk with a programmed voice using voice call. You need to follow the instructions of the programmed voice. They will record whatever you speak and judge your speaking skills.
Tips: Try to speak in English with at least few peers.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: You must be well thorough with your CV. Common questions like:*Tell me about yourself?*What are your strength and weakness?*Why consultancy and analyst profile?*What do you know about analyst profile?*What does Capgemini does? Tell us more about Capgemini?
etc can be expected for sure.The HR is not interested in your departmental knowledge, rather he is more interested in the way you are explaining something tin a layman manner. He/She cares how you analyse situations. Some random sitaution may be posed and HR may ask you to analyse the situation.
Tips: #Confidence in yourself.#Well verse with CV.#Able to explain even to layman.#Know basic information about data analytics.

General Tips: Aptitude+Communication fluency+Confidence = Job in  Capgemini
Skill Tips: Practice.
Skills: Aptitude, Communication, Confidence
College Name: I.I.T Guwahati
Motivation: Multi national and reputed.

Round: Test
Experience: Clear ur basic concepts also practice maths related questions
Tips: NA
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 45

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: initially I wasnt aware of the topic. i waited til everyone strted n waited for my turn... til the time i was listening to wat other students wer saying. den i got idea on wat the topic is really abt. i gathered some points in my mind and js spoke wat views i had .. it was ffun actually.
Tips: always first think about the topic before speaking.
Duration: 30 minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: i dont exactly remember wat wer the questions asked.
Tips: NA

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Being honest wil help to crack this interview
Tips: NA

General Tips: WORK HARD TOWARDS YOUR GOAL !
Skill Tips: develop basi programming skills & logics
Skills: programing C/C++, basic java, OS, DB, NETWORKING, OOPS
College Name: SIES Institute Of Technology, Nerul
Motivation: Keep Chasin ur DREAMS.. !!
Funny Moments: yet to come !