100+ Associate Consultant Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Assess the situation, try to find the missing data, and if not possible, inform the client and senior management.

• Check if the missing data can be retrieved from any other source or system

• If not, assess the impact of missing data on the project and client's requirements

• If the impact is significant, inform the client and senior management immediately

• If the impact is minimal, complete the project with available data and inform the client about the missing data

• Document the incide...read more

The task is to reverse a given string that may contain lowercase letters, uppercase letters, digits, and special characters.

• Iterate through the string from the last character to the first character and append each character to a new string.

• Alternatively, you can use built-in string reversal functions or methods available in your programming language.

• To solve the follow-up question with O(1) space complexity, you can use a two-pointer approach. Swap the characters at the start...read more

The task is to find the third largest element in an array of distinct integers.

• Read the number of test cases 'T'

• For each test case, read the number of elements 'N' and the array 'ARR'

• Sort the array in descending order

• Return the element at index 2 as the third largest element

The question asks to implement an AVL_TREE from scratch and insert given values into it.

• AVL_TREE is a self-balancing binary search tree

• The height difference between left and right subtrees of all nodes should not be more than one

• Implement the AVL_TREE data structure and insertion algorithm

• Return the root of the AVL_TREE after inserting all the nodes

It is not possible to calculate the number of white cars sold in Mumbai every year without the help of internet.

• Without internet, it is impossible to access the necessary data and statistics.

• The number of white cars sold in Mumbai can vary greatly from year to year.

• Data on car sales is typically collected and analyzed using online platforms and databases.

• Without internet, it is difficult to gather information from car dealerships, manufacturers, and government agencies.

• Estima...read more

The probability that two friends will meet at a bar between midnight and 1 am, given that each arrives randomly and waits 10 minutes for the other person before leaving.

• Assume a continuous uniform distribution for the arrival time of each friend.

• The probability of meeting is the area of overlap between the arrival time distributions.

• Calculate the probability using geometric probability or integration.

• The probability can be calculated as 1 minus the probability of not meeting.

Develop an algorithm to minimize transactions in a group of 5 for an app like Splitwise.

• Create a matrix to represent the debts between individuals

• Find the maximum and minimum debts in the matrix

• Settle the maximum debt by transferring money from the debtor to the creditor

• Repeat the process until all debts are settled or minimized

It is not possible to accurately determine the number of Reynolds pens sold in Gurgaon every year without specific sales data.

• The sales data of Reynolds pens in Gurgaon is not publicly available.

• The number of Reynolds pens sold can vary each year due to factors such as market demand and competition.

• To determine the exact number, one would need access to sales records or conduct a market research study.

• Without specific data, it is only possible to make an estimate or provide a...read more

Fetch data from two tables with a common column without using WHERE keyword.

• Use JOIN keyword to combine the two tables based on the common column.

• Specify the common column in the ON clause of the JOIN statement.

• This will retrieve all the rows where the common column values match in both tables.

Microcontroller is a self-contained system with memory, peripherals and processor, while microprocessor only has a processor.

• Microcontroller has on-chip memory and peripherals, while microprocessor requires external memory and peripherals.

• Microcontroller is used in embedded systems, while microprocessor is used in general-purpose computing.

• Examples of microcontrollers include Arduino, PIC, and AVR, while examples of microprocessors include Intel Pentium, AMD Ryzen, and ARM Co...read more

The correct SQL query to select the top 5 numbers from the given data is 'SELECT TOP 5 number FROM table_name ORDER BY number DESC'.

• Use the 'SELECT' statement to specify the columns you want to retrieve.

• Use the 'TOP' keyword followed by the number of rows you want to select.

• Specify the column name in the 'ORDER BY' clause to sort the data in descending order.

Financial modelling is the process of creating a mathematical representation of a financial situation or decision.

• It involves using various financial tools and techniques to analyze and forecast financial performance.

• It helps in making informed decisions about investments, budgeting, and financial planning.

• Examples include creating a cash flow statement, calculating return on investment, and building a financial model for a new business venture.

SQL query to find and sort students with scores above a threshold

• Use the SELECT statement to retrieve the required data

• Use the WHERE clause to filter students with scores above the threshold

• Use the ORDER BY clause to sort the results by score and then by name

Git is a version control system. GitHub is a web-based Git repository hosting service.

• Git is a distributed version control system used for tracking changes in source code during software development.

• GitHub is a web-based Git repository hosting service that provides a graphical interface and tools for collaboration.

• Git has multiple branches that can be used for parallel development and feature branching.

• Branching strategy can be based on feature, release, or hotfix.

• Major issue...read more

A linked list is a linear data structure where each element is a separate object linked together by pointers.

• Linked list is used to implement stacks, queues, and hash tables.

• It is used in computer memory allocation.

• It is used in image processing to represent pixels.

• It is used in music player to create a playlist.

• It is used in web browsers to store the history of visited web pages.

Introduce dynamic pricing based on demand and seasonality

• Analyze demand patterns and seasonality to determine pricing

• Offer discounts for early bookings and loyalty programs

• Partner with hotels and travel agencies for bundled packages

• Introduce premium services for additional revenue

• Invest in marketing and advertising to promote new policy

Tcode for account group is OBD4. Account group is used to classify GL accounts based on their nature and usage.

• Account group is a key element in the creation of GL accounts

• It helps in defining the fields that are mandatory while creating a GL account

• It also determines the number range for GL accounts

• Examples of account groups are Assets, Liabilities, Income, Expenses, etc.

CICD is a software development practice that aims to automate the building, testing, and deployment of applications.

• Configured Jenkins to build, test, and deploy the application automatically

• Integrated tools such as Git, Maven, and SonarQube with Jenkins

• Deployed the application to a test environment using Jenkins pipeline

• Implemented Jenkins security by creating users, roles, and permissions

Data structures are ways of organizing and storing data in a computer so that it can be accessed and used efficiently.

• Data structures can be linear or non-linear

• Examples of linear data structures include arrays, linked lists, and stacks

• Examples of non-linear data structures include trees and graphs

• Choosing the right data structure is important for optimizing performance and memory usage

Write a query to select data from a large collection.

• Use the SELECT statement to specify the columns you want to retrieve.

• Use the FROM clause to specify the table or tables from which to retrieve the data.

• Use the WHERE clause to specify any conditions that the retrieved data must meet.

• Use the ORDER BY clause to sort the retrieved data in a specific order.

• Use the LIMIT clause to limit the number of rows returned, if necessary.

Sorting algorithms are used to arrange data in a specific order. Their complexity varies based on the algorithm used.

• Sorting algorithms include bubble sort, insertion sort, selection sort, merge sort, quick sort, and heap sort.

• The complexity of sorting algorithms is measured in terms of time complexity and space complexity.

• Time complexity refers to the amount of time it takes for an algorithm to complete its task, while space complexity refers to the amount of memory required...read more

Transactions in a bank involve the movement of funds between accounts or the exchange of currency.

• Transactions can be initiated by customers or by the bank itself

• Common types of transactions include deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and loans

• Transactions are recorded in the bank's ledger and may be subject to fees or interest

• Electronic transactions have become increasingly popular, such as online banking and mobile payments

Our application uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform.

• EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) is used for scalable computing capacity.

• S3 (Simple Storage Service) is used for object storage and retrieval.

• VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) is used for creating a private network within AWS.

• Route53 is used for DNS management and routing traffic to AWS resources.

• ALB (Application Load Balancer) is used for distributing incoming traffic across multiple targets.

• EBS (Elastic Block Store) is used...read more

Analytical solution to rank locations in Kolkata for opening a new sports shop

• Analyze the demographics of each location to determine the target market for the sports shop

• Evaluate the proximity of each location to sports facilities and stadiums

• Consider the competition in each location and assess the market saturation

• Assess the accessibility and visibility of each location for potential customers

• Analyze the economic factors and purchasing power of residents in each location

• Cons...read more

The total revenue of cabs on Lucknow Airport can be estimated by analyzing the number of cabs, their average fare, and the number of trips per day.

• Analyze the number of cabs operating on the airport

• Determine the average fare charged by the cabs

• Calculate the number of trips made by the cabs per day

• Multiply the average fare by the number of trips to get the total revenue

• Consider peak and off-peak hours to get a more accurate estimate

The logic used for filtering odd numbers is to check if the number is not divisible by 2.

• Check if the number modulo 2 is not equal to 0

• If the remainder is not 0, then the number is odd

• Example: 3 % 2 = 1, so 3 is an odd number

Activities in a Bank Audit include examining financial records, assessing internal controls, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

• Reviewing financial statements and transactions

• Assessing internal controls and risk management processes

• Evaluating compliance with regulatory requirements

• Testing the effectiveness of anti-money laundering procedures

• Analyzing loan portfolios and credit risk

• Verifying the accuracy of interest calculations

• Assessing the adequacy of capital reserves

To create a list inside a list, use nested HTML

and
• tags.

  • Create an outer

    tag

    • Within the outer

      tag, create an inner
      tag

      • Within the inner

        tag, create
        • tags for each item in the sublist

        • Repeat for each sublist

        • Example:

          • Item 1
            • Subitem 1
            • Subitem 2
          • Item 2
            • Subitem 1
            • Subitem 2

During lockdown, I developed skills in online learning and virtual collaboration. My interest in HCM stems from a desire to help organizations optimize their human capital.

• During lockdown, I took online courses to improve my skills in areas such as project management and data analysis.

• I also participated in virtual team projects, which helped me develop my collaboration and communication skills.

• My interest in HCM is driven by a desire to help organizations maximize the potent...read more

I don't have the available data for PVR's yearly revenue.

• No data available for PVR's yearly revenue.

Strategies to overcome failures include learning from mistakes, staying positive, seeking feedback, and setting new goals.

• Learn from mistakes by analyzing what went wrong and how to improve

• Stay positive and maintain a growth mindset to bounce back from setbacks

• Seek feedback from mentors or colleagues to gain different perspectives

• Set new goals and create a plan to move forward with renewed motivation

Marginal costing is a costing technique where only variable costs are considered in determining the cost of a product or service.

• Variable costs are costs that vary with the level of production or sales, such as raw materials and direct labor.

• Fixed costs are costs that remain constant regardless of the level of production or sales, such as rent and salaries.

• Marginal costing helps in making short-term decisions by focusing on the impact of variable costs on profitability.

• Exampl...read more

Write an SQL query with WHERE and ORDER BY conditions

• Use the IBPL (InfluxDB PromQL) query language

• Specify the WHERE condition to filter the data

• Use the ORDER BY clause to sort the results

HEAD method in REST API Integration is used to retrieve the headers of a resource without fetching the body.

• HEAD requests are similar to GET requests but only return the headers of the resource, not the body.

• This can be useful for checking the status of a resource or determining its size without downloading the entire content.

• For example, a HEAD request to a website URL will return the headers like content type, content length, etc. without downloading the webpage.

Pressure vessels are designed by considering factors such as material selection, design codes, operating conditions, and safety measures.

• Select appropriate materials based on the intended use and operating conditions

• Follow design codes and standards such as ASME BPVC, EN 13445, and PD 5500

• Consider factors such as pressure, temperature, corrosion, and fatigue

• Incorporate safety measures such as relief valves, rupture disks, and pressure gauges

• Perform stress analysis and simulat...read more

Java is a high-level programming language used for developing applications and software.

• Java is platform-independent and can run on any operating system.

• It is object-oriented and has a vast library of pre-built classes and functions.

• Java is used for developing web applications, mobile applications, desktop applications, and games.

• It is also used for developing enterprise-level applications and software.

• Java is widely used in the development of Android applications.

• Some popula...read more

As of 2021, there are approximately 100 million iPhones in India.

• Apple has been steadily increasing its market share in India over the years.

• In 2020, Apple shipped around 3.2 million iPhones to India.

• The iPhone SE and iPhone 11 have been popular models in India due to their affordability.

• However, Apple still faces tough competition from Android devices in the Indian market.

Inventory is valued as per AS-2 by using the lower of cost or net realizable value method.

• Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value as per AS-2.

• Cost of inventory includes all costs incurred in bringing the inventory to its present location and condition.

• Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less estimated costs of completion and selling expenses.

• Examples of costs included in inventory valuation are purch...read more

Python is a high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability.

• Python is an interpreted language, while Java is a compiled language.

• Python has a simpler syntax and requires fewer lines of code compared to Java.

• Python is dynamically typed, whereas Java is statically typed.

• Python has a strong focus on code readability and ease of use.

• Python has a large standard library with built-in modules for various tasks.

• Python supports both procedural and object-orien...read more

I have conducted benchmarking processes in the areas of sales performance, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

• Benchmarked sales performance against industry competitors to identify areas for improvement

• Analyzed customer satisfaction metrics to compare against industry standards

• Evaluated operational efficiency by benchmarking processes against best practices

• Implemented recommendations from benchmarking studies to drive performance improvements

Resolving inefficiencies in the current supply chain process

• Identifying bottlenecks in the supply chain

• Implementing technology solutions to streamline processes

• Reducing lead times and improving inventory management

• Enhancing communication between suppliers and distributors

Oops concepts are the fundamental principles of object-oriented programming.

• Abstraction: Hiding implementation details and showing only necessary information.

• Encapsulation: Binding data and functions together in a single unit.

• Inheritance: Acquiring properties and behavior of a parent class by a child class.

• Polymorphism: Ability of an object to take many forms or have multiple behaviors.

• Example: A car is an object that has properties like color, model, and behavior like starti...read more

ALE is a technology used for exchanging business data between different systems within an organization, while EDI Idoc is a specific format used for exchanging data between different systems outside an organization.

• ALE (Application Link Enabling) is used for communication within an organization's systems.

• EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Idoc is a specific format used for exchanging data between different systems outside an organization.

• ALE is real-time data exchange, while E...read more

Costing focuses on determining the cost of producing a product or service, while accounting involves recording, summarizing, and analyzing financial transactions.

• Costing is more focused on determining the cost of producing a specific product or service.

• Accounting involves recording, summarizing, and analyzing financial transactions of a business.

• Costing helps in setting prices for products, while accounting helps in financial decision-making and reporting.

• Costing is more deta...read more

Examples of management, risk-taking, and learning appetite.

• As a manager, I led a team of 10 in a project that resulted in a 20% increase in revenue.

• I took a risk by proposing a new marketing strategy that was initially met with skepticism, but ultimately led to a 15% increase in customer engagement.

• I have a strong learning appetite and regularly attend industry conferences and workshops to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices.

• In my previous role, I identifi...read more

OSPF is a routing protocol that uses link-state algorithm to determine the best path based on cost.

• OSPF routers exchange link-state advertisements (LSAs) to build a topological database of the network.

• Each router calculates the shortest path tree to all destinations using Dijkstra's algorithm.

• The best path is chosen based on the lowest cost, which is determined by the bandwidth of the link.

• OSPF supports multiple paths to the same destination, allowing for load balancing.

• Admin...read more

Abstraction is the process of hiding complex implementation details and showing only the necessary information to the user.

• Abstraction is a fundamental concept in OOP

• It helps in reducing complexity and increasing efficiency

• It allows the user to focus on the essential features of an object

• Examples include abstract classes, interfaces, and encapsulation