Samsung Software Engineer Interview Questions, Process, and Tips

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: I used only one resume for different companies, however I altered my areas of interests to make them compatible with the profile on offer, for instance while applying for profiles related to programming/ITeS I mentioned my areas of interests as C++ and data structures, whereas in core companies I mentioned my areas of interests as machining and power systems.

Round: Test
Experience: The company had a minimum CGPA cut-off of 7.0. However since not many people applied initially, they relaxed their minimum cut-off and allowed people even with CGPA less than 7.0 to participate in the recruitment process.
The first round was the written test. There were two tests altogether. The first test was the aptitude test in which there were 50 questions asked and the time allotted was one hour. The second test had questions on programming and algorithms. The duration of this test was 30 minutes and 20 questions were asked.
The programming test was pretty simple. In the test we were given the coded algorithms of some programs and we had to guess the output the code would yield. The topics covered in this test were pointers, arrays and functions. They did not stress much upon classes and inheritance.
The other test was the aptitude test. Since I had prepared for the CAT exam (MBA entrance test for the IIM’s) I managed to solve the questions given with relative ease. The questions asked were mainly from logical reasoning and data interpretation sections and I found the questions simpler as compared to CAT. Such questions can be easily found in any of the CAT preparation books. Around 60 people appeared for the test out of which 14 were shortlisted for the next round. For the written tests there were sectional cut-offs, i.e. a student wanting to get shortlisted for the next round had to surpass the cut-off marks set for each section.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: The next round was the personal interview round. They began by asking whether I had studied digital signal processing. I replied negatively since I did not prepare for the topic. They paid heed to my reply and started asking me questions on data structures. They asked me some basic questions like ‘How to prepare a link list using arrays?’, ‘What are the different types of sorting algorithms and which is most efficient amongst them considering the time factor?’ and they likes. They then picked some points from my resume and asked me questions based on that, they enquired about my internships and projects. They did not ask many HR questions, the only question I remember being asked was ‘Being an electrical graduate why don’t you want to pursue a job in your core sector of study? Why do you want to enter into the IT/ITeS sector? 8 students were shortlisted for the final interview round.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: The company conducted one more interview. This interview was mainly conducted to carry out a casual background check. They first asked me to fill a form in which I was asked to write about my parent’s jobs. They also enquired about my siblings and about their educational background. They asked me questions like ‘How were your last 4 years in the institute?’ The interview lasted only five minutes. The company eventually recruited 7 students.

College Name: IIT ROORKEE
Motivation: Samsung came to our campus with various profiles. I knew nothing about it and hence attending the pre-placement talk helped a lot.

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: I had a standard resume for this company as per our Institute placement cell norms. I had mentioned all my achievements, academic and extracurricular, in my resume.I did have different resumes for different companies. For core electrical engineering companies, I had mentioned the relevant subject(s) of electrical engineering as my area of interest. For software companies, I did make it a point to mention all software/codes that I had developed. For consulting sector and other companies, I had mentioned Database Management System and other relevant courses in my resume.

Round: Test
Experience: The first round of selection process was a one and a half hour written test. In the written test, the first section consisted of analytical and reasoning based aptitude based questions. The second part of the written test consisted of objective questions based on C++ and C.
For aptitude based tests, I didn’t prepare anything in specific. For programming based tests, I did revise concepts of Data Structures and C++. I did go through some basic concepts of Java as well. I referred to a book by Sartaj Sahni to prepare for Data Structures. For C++, one can refer to any course book.
Tips: Many companies go for a general quantitative/logical aptitude based test for short listing candidates for subsequent rounds. Practice as many such questions as you can so that you are at ease while attempting questions during such written tests.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: After the written test, the short listed candidates were required to appear for an interview.
In the first interview round I was asked questions related to Data Structures and C++. Some questions related to Java were also asked.
Some of the questions asked were:
If you have a circulating linked list, how would you find the last node in it?Give an algorithm to reverse a number bitwise.If we have a binary tree, then how would you match it with another tree – whether the two are same or similar?This first interview round was followed by an HR interview round. However in my case, a lot of technical questions (related to programming) were also asked during this round. Even though the job profile was that of a Software engineer, I was asked questions from almost all the subjects that I had studied in college. Questions were asked from Thermodynamics, Databases etc.  I guess the interviewer was trying to put me under stress by asking a lot of technical questions, related or unrelated.
I didn’t prepare much for interviews. After appearing for a couple of interviews, I did get an idea about how to answer typical questions, what to say and what not to say in an interview.
Tips: It is important to be truthful during an interview. If you do not know any particular answer, be confident in telling the interviewer the same, instead of making wild attempts at answering that question. Almost certainly, you would leave a bad impression on the interviewer’s mind if you do not know the answer and take random shots at it, instead of telling the truth.

General Tips: Be sure about the company you want to apply for. If you want to go for a job in one of the core electrical engineering companies, then instead of studying Data Structures or C++, revise the important/relevant topics from electrical engineering.
College Name: IIT ROORKEE
Motivation: I did attend the company’s pre-placement talk. Also I did go through their website. I used to ask my seniors as well as my batch mates if they had any idea about the company or the job profile being offered.

Round: Test
Experience: Tests your basic knowledge in c++ . Question were simple evaluation of c++ programs .
Tips: Read about pointers , struct  and all basic concepts in c++ .  Practise by solving lot of problems and write code to solve even to the obovios one .
Duration: 60 minutes
Total Questions: 20

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: I felt the interview little diffuclt compared to other interview that I had while I was applying for Internship (for other comapnies) . There were two people interviewing me. They went through my resume first. A lot of questions were asked from the resumes , mostly related to projects that I have done as a part of my course.
Tips: Go through job profile. Ensure that you have gud understanding of all the projects that you hou have done.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: My HR interview was taken just after I came out of my technical interview. I was not that confident in the starting. I was preapred for almost all the obvious questions like "Tell me about yourself?"  and all. Then she asked do you have problem with relocation . I replied that question with "I am from kerala , I did my 11th,12th in banglore , and currently studying in mumbai . So I am always going towards north". My answer worked out because I knew there is only location for samsung india Electronics(delhi noida). She laughed  and I guess that answer helped. When I came out of the  room, she called one of the coordinator and told that he is selected. :)
Tips: Preapare even to the oubvios question . Well I preapared a bunch of interview question that are usually asked and wrote answer and practised saying it(It helps a lot).  The less nevrous you are the better you get to intract with the interviewer . And smile :) .

Skill Tips: It was offline Test. Tests your basic knowledge of c++ programming. So its very easy to CRACK!!! :)  .
Skills: C++ Programming knowledge
College Name: IIT BOMBAY

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: The guy taking my interview was from OS background and my project was on networks, he didn't understand much. In next round I was asked my favorite subject, I told data structure and networks. He asked about networks which I explained well.
Tips: For Samsung work on APTI, data interpretation question. Try to make it fast. Also focus on C basics.Keep your preparations of general Apti good. Practice a test paper (online/books) day before to make to focused and accurate.

General Tips: In my first technical interview the guy was not from networking background. My project was on networks which I think was not able to explain to him that good. I got less marks there I think.
Skills: C questions, general Apti, OS, DBMS, Networks
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Short listing of resume was done on the basis of CGPA .Mine was 9.22

Round: Test
Experience: Objective questions related to C/C++/OS + 1 coding question
Tips: Basic C/C++ reference material
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Tips: Too much emphasis on the work done by you before. They required every explanation in detail.

General Tips: I think I got selected because my academics are good.B.Tech and M.Tech project are in the field which company is looking forward for.I started preparing atleast a 1.5 months before the interviews.For core companies,Refer to class notes, topics related to company which I was targeting. Good idea of what is required by the company is obtained from the PPT. Questions were mostly related to BTP as well as other work done in the Department.Refer to class notes, topics related to company which I was targeting. Good idea of what is required by the company is obtained from the PPT.
A lot of practice improves speed and accuracy. Very much required in the first round of any company, which usually tests these skills.
Skill Tips: Prepared a compendium of the topics expected to prop up during interview.Revision of basic fundamentals of the field.Short report of the B.Tech as well as M.Tech project.Referred to placement sites for some tips.
Skills: Programming skills
College Name: IIT MADRAS
Motivation: They were looking for Digital Signal Processing, Image Signal Processing, Communications.

Round: Test
Experience: It was constituted of two parts: Logic and DI. Both parts were simple. Questions were CAT type.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Simple C, C++ questions were asked. Technical questions based on internship project were asked. General questions asked to check reaction to sudden stress (for example: Why do earthquakes occur?).
Tips: Courses like DSP (application based) and information systems should be thorough. Knowing 1 programming language is very essential.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Resume based questions were asked.
Tips: Know complete details of your interns, BTP and resume thoroughly.

College Name: IIT KANPUR

Round: Test
Experience: Objective test in C(30 min),followed by a paper-based coding test.(1 hour, Written ).
Tips: There are old Samsung tests available online. The questions are based on the same fundamentals.Coding test focuses more on getting the pseudo code and logic right
Duration: 90 minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: Interview questions were mostly based on projects and skills mentioned in the resume.Be sure to read up on your projects.They asked to explain the code.On the lines of how would I approach the problem of getting faster downloads in cellphones.

General Tips: I got selected because of my projects fit the profile they were looking for. They seemed to like the Olympiad ranks too.Data structures and algorithms basic fundaes, C coding and theory (asked in every profile), Revision of your electives (depending the core specialization)For any communication profile, do not ignore revision of courses and also it was necessary to read up
further as MTechs and MS students have an edge.
Skill Tips: Went through all the literature for all my projects.My courses and projects were all related to Communication Networks and Communication Systems. This background made the questions easier to answer. Majority of questions were about network protocols and network architecture.Started preparing DS&A at the beginning of seventh sem because I had never taken the course. The rest of it can be revised a couple of weeks before the tests start.
Skills: Algorithm, C Programming, Communication Networks, Communication Systems, Network protocols, Network architecture.
College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Shortlisting done based on resume.
Tips: Create good resume highlighting projects and research work. Remain updated about the company's research work.

Round: Test
Experience: There are two written tests. One is based on C and algorithms.
Tips: Old Samsung tests that are available online.Knowledge of C is must.
Duration: 30 minutes

Round: Test
Experience: The second test is paper-based coding test.
Tips: Coding test is used to mainly gauge your logic applying abilities.
Duration: 60 minutes

Round: Interview
Experience: Personal Interview: one round lasting around 40 minutes.
 Interview questions were mostly straightforward, technical and based on projects and
research work mentioned in the resume.
 Previous day's code is also asked to explain.
 Couple of questions were about the company's on-going work. In-depth knowledge regarding courses related to the profile is necessary.
Tips: Revise courses, Project work. Additional reading is recommended.
Basics of core subjects.

College Name: IIT Madras

Round: Interview
Experience: A systematic approach is all what he expects from us. Our approach and our way of thinking is what he observes. An algorithm to solve a single face worked in my case. So called HR interview was more technical and a discussion about the projects mentioned in my resume.
Tips: An overview on problems like sudoku, rubik's cube, chess etc. A proper approach and a structure for solving the problem should be mentioned.

Round: Interview
Experience: Some questions on basic data structures, dynamic programming and recursion.
Tips: Recognize the problem(dp, recursion, etc.). Throw some algorithm.

General Tips: Be clear with basics.
Skill Tips: ""
Skills: Data structures, Data Processing, Recursion
College Name: IIT Madras
Motivation: SAMSUNG!
Funny Moments: A saviour for the leftover cse students especially b.tech and dual. It does not depend on whether your interview went well or not. Just basic cse stuff is enough.