2000+ Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Probability of a rectangle being inside a unit circle with p chosen uniformly on the circle and q inside the circle.

• The probability can be found by calculating the ratio of the area of the rectangle to the area of the circle.

• The area of the circle is pi and the area of the rectangle can be found using the distance between p and q.

• The probability is 1/4.

• Example: If the distance between p and q is 0.5, then the area of the rectangle is 0.25 and the probability is 0.25/pi.

The interview covered topics such as mutual funds, hedge funds, derivatives, Northern Trust, fixed income, financial statements, and more.

• Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to purchase securities.

• Hedge funds are private investment funds that use advanced strategies to generate high returns for wealthy investors.

• Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from an underlying asset or security.

• Examples of derivatives in...read more

Probability of winning a dice game where the one with lesser number wins.

• The probability of winning depends on the number of sides on the dice.

• If the dice has an odd number of sides, the probability of winning is higher for the second player.

• If the dice has an even number of sides, the probability of winning is equal for both players.

Probability of a randomly dropped rod of length L intersecting a line on a 2D plane with infinite parallel, vertical lines.

• The probability depends on the length of the rod L.

• The probability can be calculated using geometric probability.

• The probability is 1 - (2L - 1) / infinity.

• For example, if L = 1, the probability is 0.5.

• If L = 2, the probability is 0.75.

Flip the coin twice and consider the outcome as follows.

• Flip the coin twice and consider the outcome as follows:

• - If both flips are heads or both are tails, discard and flip again.

• - If the first flip is heads and the second is tails, consider it as heads.

• - If the first flip is tails and the second is heads, consider it as tails.

• This method ensures a 50-50 chance of getting either heads or tails.

• Alternatively, use a physical method to balance the weight distribution of the coi...read more

To measure 9 minutes using two hourglasses of 4 and 7 minutes, start both hourglasses simultaneously. When the 4-minute hourglass runs out, flip it again. When the 7-minute hourglass runs out, flip it again. When the 4-minute hourglass runs out for the third time, 9 minutes will have passed.

• Start both hourglasses simultaneously

• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out, flip it again

• When the 7-minute hourglass runs out, flip it again

• When the 4-minute hourglass runs out for the thir...read more

Derivatives contracts are needed to manage risk and provide opportunities for speculation and hedging in financial markets.

• Derivatives contracts allow investors to manage risk by providing a way to hedge against potential losses.

• They also provide opportunities for speculation, allowing investors to profit from price movements without owning the underlying asset.

• Put options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset at a specified price within a specif...read more

The number of advertisements running on the yellow line of Delhi metro is not available.

• The exact number of advertisements on the yellow line of Delhi metro is unknown.

• Without access to real-time data, it is impossible to determine the current number of advertisements.

• The number of advertisements can vary depending on the time and duration of the interview.

• It would require direct observation or access to Delhi metro's advertising records to provide an accurate answer.

Cut the cake in half horizontally, then vertically, and then diagonally twice.

• Cut the cake in half horizontally.

• Cut the cake in half vertically.

• Cut the cake diagonally from the center to the edge twice.

• Total cuts required: 7

Innovations to minimize cost of pen

• Use recycled materials for pen body and ink

• Simplify design to reduce production costs

• Implement refillable ink cartridges to reduce waste and cost

• Partner with companies for bulk purchasing of materials

• Automate production process to reduce labor costs

No, it is not possible for each person to give gifts to 3 people and receive a gift from them in a party of 9 people.

• In this scenario, each person would need to receive 3 gifts, which is not possible if there are only 9 people.

• This scenario would be possible if there were at least 10 people at the party.

• In general, for a party of n people, each person can give gifts to n-1 people and receive gifts from n-1 people.

Fields in EXTC related to IT

• Digital Signal Processing

• Microprocessors and Microcontrollers

• Computer Networks

• Data Communication

• Wireless Communication

• Mobile Communication

• Internet of Things

• Cloud Computing

• Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning

Given prob. p of dying out and prob. (1-p) of spawning into 2, find prob. of dying out starting from 1 organism.

• Use probability tree to visualize outcomes

• Probability of dying out starting from 1 is p + (1-p) * (probability of dying out starting from 2)^2

• Solve recursively to get final answer

The minimum distance between opposite ends of a cuboid is the length of the diagonal of the cuboid.

• To find the diagonal, use the Pythagorean theorem: diagonal = sqrt(length^2 + width^2 + height^2)

• The length, width, and height of the cuboid must be known to calculate the diagonal

• The ant can travel along any of the three pairs of opposite walls, so the minimum distance is the shortest diagonal

• Example: A cuboid with length = 3, width = 4, and height = 5 has a diagonal of sqrt(3^...read more

A series of questions related to tax audit, accounting, finance, and investments.

• Form 3CA and 3CD are documents required for tax audit in India.

• The present tax audit limit is Rs. 5 crores.

• Recent amendments in applicability of tax audit include an increase in the threshold limit for businesses with digital transactions.

• Goods in transit can be recorded using a transit account.

• Credit risk is the risk of loss due to a borrower's failure to repay a loan or meet contractual obligat...read more

Answering questions related to market research, primary and secondary research, market estimation problems, previous experience, medical devices, and Excel.

• Market research is the process of gathering and analyzing information about a specific market or industry.

• Primary research involves collecting data directly from the source, such as surveys, interviews, or observations.

• Secondary research involves using existing data sources, such as reports, articles, or databases.

• Market e...read more

GroupBy is used to group data based on a column while Having is used to filter grouped data based on a condition.

• GroupBy is used with aggregate functions like SUM, COUNT, AVG, etc.

• Having is used to filter data after grouping based on a condition.

• GroupBy is used before Having in a SQL query.

• Example: SELECT department, COUNT(*) FROM employees GROUP BY department HAVING COUNT(*) > 5;

• Example: SELECT department, AVG(salary) FROM employees GROUP BY department HAVING AVG(salary) > 5...read more

The code sets values for three integers and performs conditional and loop operations to print the sum of two integers.

• The value of 'a' is set to 11, 'b' to 12, and 'c' to 10.

• The 'if' condition checks if 'b' is greater than 0 and increments 'b' if true, else increments 'a'.

• The 'for' loop runs for each value of 'b' from 0 to 5 and increments 'a' by 1.

• The final output is the sum of 'a' and 'c', which is 18.

Trade life cycle includes pre-trade, trade execution, trade confirmation, settlement, and accounting. It functions in various types of trades.

• Trade life cycle involves pre-trade, trade execution, trade confirmation, settlement, and accounting

• It functions in various types of trades such as equity, fixed income, foreign exchange, and derivatives

• In equity trading, the trade life cycle starts with the order placement and ends with the settlement of the trade

• In foreign exchange tr...read more

Port 1433 needs to be open for SQL Server.

• SQL Server uses port 1433 for communication.

• Ensure that port 1433 is open in the server's firewall.

• Check the SQL Server configuration to confirm the port number.

Angular is a JavaScript framework for building web applications. React Hooks are a feature in React that allow for stateful logic to be used in functional components.

• Angular is a full-featured framework with a lot of built-in functionality, while React is a library that focuses on the view layer.

• Angular uses two-way data binding, while React uses one-way data flow.

• React Hooks allow for stateful logic to be used in functional components, making them more powerful and easier to...read more

Structured Change Management process ensures smooth and controlled changes in application support functions.

• Reduces the risk of errors and downtime during changes

• Ensures proper documentation and communication of changes

• Helps in prioritizing and scheduling changes

• Enables tracking and reporting of changes

• Facilitates stakeholder involvement and buy-in

• Example: ITIL Change Management process

• Example: Agile Change Management process

Optimizing code involves identifying and removing bottlenecks to improve performance.

• Identify the parts of the code that are taking the most time to execute

• Use efficient algorithms and data structures

• Minimize the number of function calls and loops

• Avoid unnecessary calculations or operations

• Use caching or memoization to avoid repeating calculations

• Profile the code to measure performance improvements

The interview questions cover various financial concepts such as capital market, trade life cycle, options, mutual funds, and bond market.

• Capital market refers to the market for buying and selling of securities such as stocks and bonds.

• Trade life cycle involves the steps involved in a trade from initiation to settlement.

• Option is a contract that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an underlying asset at a specific price on or before a certain dat...read more

Launching a new product involves several steps, from ideation to market launch.

• Conduct market research to identify customer needs and preferences

• Develop a product concept and create a prototype

• Test the product with focus groups and make necessary adjustments

• Create a marketing plan and determine pricing strategy

• Launch the product and monitor sales and customer feedback

• Make any necessary improvements or adjustments based on feedback

• Continue to promote and market the product to ...read more

The maximum number of bananas that can be transported to the destination is 533 bananas.

• The person can transport 1000 bananas 1 km, then go back and transport 1000 more bananas, and so on.

• After traveling 500 km, the camel will have 500 bananas left. It can then transport 500 bananas 1 km.

• In total, the person can transport 1000 + 1000 + 1000 + 500 + 500 = 4500 bananas. However, the camel eats 1000 bananas during the journey.

• Therefore, the maximum number of bananas that can be ...read more

The annual demand for selling books to IITK students through e-commerce depends on various factors such as the number of students, their course curriculum, and their reading habits.

• The demand can be estimated by conducting a survey among the students to understand their reading habits and preferences.

• The demand can also be influenced by the availability of books in the campus library and bookstores.

• The demand may vary depending on the academic calendar, such as the start of a...read more

Failure to avoid fiscal cliff could lead to severe economic repercussions globally and in the US, with India also being affected.

• The US economy could experience a recession, with a potential decrease in GDP and increase in unemployment rates

• Global financial markets could experience volatility and uncertainty

• India could be affected due to its close economic ties with the US, with potential impacts on trade and investment

• The failure to address the fiscal cliff could also lead t...read more

I would prefer using SQL for designing a database for a library.

• SQL is a widely used language for managing relational databases.

• It provides a structured and efficient way to store, retrieve, and manipulate data.

• SQL allows for easy querying and joining of tables, which is essential for library operations.

• It supports transactions and ensures data integrity.

• SQL also offers various security features to protect sensitive library information.

WACC is the weighted average cost of capital. To value a company, one can use various methods such as DCF, comparables, or precedent transactions. A method to decide on project undertaking is NPV analysis.

• WACC is the average cost of all the capital a company has raised

• To value a company, one can use DCF, comparables, or precedent transactions

• DCF involves projecting future cash flows and discounting them back to present value

• Comparables involves comparing the company to simila...read more

The probability is 1/2.

• The person can either move forward or backward with equal probabilities.

• The probability of reaching 0 before 100 is 1/2.

• This is a simple random walk problem.

Low profits in Big Bazaar store for last two months.

• Check if there is a decrease in footfall or sales.

• Analyze the competition in the area.

• Check if there are any supply chain issues.

• Evaluate the marketing strategies and promotions.

• Assess the economic conditions of the area.

• Consider the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior.

• Review the store's inventory management and pricing strategies.

Possible values of determinant of matrix A given Avi=Vj for n linear vectors

• The possible values of |A| are non-zero as the given vectors are linearly independent

• The value of |A| can be calculated using the formula |A| = (-1)^n * det(A)

• If the given vectors are orthogonal, then |A| is the product of the magnitudes of the vectors

Identifying problems and suggesting solutions for dissatisfied customers in BPO call center.

• Conduct customer satisfaction surveys to identify specific issues

• Analyze call recordings to identify agent behavior and training needs

• Review call center metrics such as average handle time and first call resolution

• Implement additional training for agents on customer service and problem-solving

• Improve communication channels between agents and management for issue escalation and resoluti...read more

There are 6 colors, so 6^3 = 216 different cubes can be obtained.

• The cube has 6 faces, each of which can be one of 6 colors.

• Therefore, there are 6 options for the first face, 6 for the second, and 6 for the third.

• To find the total number of possible cubes, we multiply these options together: 6 x 6 x 6 = 216.

Probability of a horse going out of a chessboard in 'n' steps.

• The total number of possible moves for a horse is 8.

• The probability of going out of the board depends on the position of the horse.

• For example, if the horse is at a corner, the probability of going out of the board is higher.

• The probability can be calculated using combinatorics and geometry.

The number of attendees at StanChart Mumbai Marathon is not available.

• Data on the number of attendees is not available.

• The organizers have not released any official figures.

• It is unclear how many people participated in the marathon.

Algorithm to search for a number in an n x n matrix with sorted rows and columns.

• Start from the top-right corner of the matrix

• If the current element is greater than the target, move left

• If the current element is less than the target, move down

• Repeat until the target is found or the bottom-left corner is reached

I would pick the brand that has a higher quality and better taste.

• Check the quality and taste of both brands

• Consider the price of each brand

• Look at the expiration date of both brands

• Consider the popularity of each brand among customers

R1 is a revenue cycle management company that provides end-to-end solutions for healthcare providers.

• R1 helps healthcare providers optimize their revenue cycle management processes

• They offer services such as patient registration, coding and billing, and collections

• R1's technology platform uses data analytics and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy

• They work with a variety of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, physician groups, and ambulatory surgery cente...read more

I am proficient in Python and Java.

• I have experience in developing web applications using Django framework in Python.

• I have also worked on Java projects using Spring framework.

• I am familiar with object-oriented programming concepts and data structures.

• I have worked on projects involving database management using SQL.

• I am constantly learning and improving my skills in these languages.

Inheritance allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class.

• Inheritance promotes code reusability and saves time and effort in programming.

• It allows for the creation of a hierarchy of classes with shared characteristics.

• For example, a class Animal can be inherited by classes such as Dog, Cat, and Bird, which share common properties and methods.

• Inheritance can be implemented using the 'extends' keyword in Java and the ':' symbol in Python.

A and B play a game with unfair coin. A wins if # of heads > #tails +1 at any point. Find prob. of A winning.

• The game is played with an unfair coin with P[Heads]=p

• A wins if # of heads > #tails +1 at any point

• Find the probability of A winning

Multithreading is the ability of a CPU to execute multiple threads concurrently, improving performance and responsiveness.

• Multithreading allows for parallel execution of tasks, utilizing multiple CPU cores.

• It enables concurrent processing, where multiple threads can execute simultaneously.

• Thread synchronization mechanisms like locks and semaphores are used to prevent data inconsistencies.

• Multithreading can be used to improve user interface responsiveness and handle background...read more

The positions of numbers in an array whose sum is 9 need to be found.

• Iterate through the array and check for pairs of numbers that add up to 9.

• Store the positions of the numbers that satisfy the condition.

• Return the positions as the result.