Cognizant Campus Placement Full Interview Preparation

Technical Interview Questions

A: Java is platform-independent and runs on the JVM, while C++ is platform-dependent and

compiles to machine code. Java has automatic garbage collection; C++ requires manual memory

management.

Q: Write a program to reverse a string in Python.

A: def reverse_string(s):

return s[::-1]

print(reverse_string('Cognizant'))

Q: Explain OOP concepts.

A: Encapsulation: Wrapping data and code together.

Inheritance: Acquiring properties from a base class.

Polymorphism: Performing one action in different ways.

Abstraction: Hiding complex implementation.

Q: What is the difference between a stack and a queue?

A: Stack uses LIFO (Last In First Out), while Queue uses FIFO (First In First Out).

Q: What is the time complexity of binary search?

A: O(log n)

Q: What is normalization in DBMS?

A: Normalization is the process of organizing data to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.

Q: Write an SQL query to fetch the second highest salary.

A: SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM

employees);

Q: What is a deadlock?

A: Deadlock occurs when processes are blocked because each is holding a resource and waiting for
another.

Q: Difference between TCP and UDP?

A: TCP is connection-oriented and reliable. UDP is connectionless and faster.

Q: Explain joins in SQL.

A: Inner Join, Left Join, Right Join, Full Join - used to combine rows from two or more tables based

on related columns.

Q: What is multithreading?

A: Multithreading allows concurrent execution of two or more parts of a program to maximize CPU

utilization.

Q: Explain agile methodology.

A: Agile is an iterative software development approach where requirements and solutions evolve

through collaboration.

Q: What is inheritance in OOP?

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

Q: What is a constructor?

A: A constructor is a special method used to initialize objects.

Q: Difference between == and equals() in Java?

A: == checks reference equality; equals() checks value equality.

Q: What is recursion? Give an example.

A: Recursion is when a function calls itself.

Example:

def factorial(n):

if n == 0:

return 1

return n * factorial(n-1)

Q: Difference between an interface and an abstract class in Java?

A: Interfaces contain only abstract methods (Java 7), while abstract classes can have both concrete
and abstract methods.

Q: What is exception handling?

A: Exception handling manages runtime errors using try, catch, and finally blocks.

Q: Explain the concept of pointers in C.

A: A pointer stores the memory address of another variable.

Q: What are the four pillars of OOP?

A: Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction.

Q: How does a hash table work?

A: It stores data in key-value pairs using a hash function to compute an index.

Q: What is the difference between array and linked list?

A: Arrays are static in size and allow random access; linked lists are dynamic and allow efficient

insertions/deletions.

Q: Explain bubble sort.

A: Repeatedly swaps adjacent elements if they are in the wrong order. Time complexity: O(n²).

Q: What is a primary key and foreign key?

A: Primary key uniquely identifies records; foreign key establishes a link between tables.

Q: What is ACID property in DBMS?

A: Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability - ensures reliable transactions.

Q: What is virtual memory?

A: A memory management technique using hard drive space as RAM when physical RAM is full.

Q: What is the OSI model?

A: A 7-layer network model: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation,

Application.

Q: Difference between GET and POST in HTTP?

A: GET appends data in the URL, used for retrieval. POST sends data in the request body, used for

updating.
HR Interview Questions
Q: Tell me about yourself.

A: I'm a final-year B.E. Computer student from S.N.D. College. I have a strong foundation in Java,

Python, and web development. I recently worked on an attendance tracker project.

Q: Why do you want to work at Cognizant?

A: Cognizant is known for innovation and growth. It's a great platform for freshers to start their

career.

Q: Are you willing to relocate?

A: Yes, I'm flexible and open to relocation.

Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A: Strengths: Adaptability, quick learner. Weakness: Public speaking, which I am improving.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

A: I see myself as a proficient developer contributing to key projects and possibly leading a team.

Q: Describe a challenging situation and how you handled it.

A: I faced difficulties in my project due to team conflicts. I mediated discussions and ensured tasks

were assigned fairly.

Q: How do you handle pressure?

A: I break down tasks into manageable pieces and focus on one at a time.

Q: What motivates you?

A: The opportunity to learn new things and make a positive impact.

Q: Do you have any questions for us?

A: Yes, I would like to know more about the learning opportunities at Cognizant.

Q: What makes you a good fit for this role?

A: My technical skills, eagerness to learn, and adaptability make me a strong candidate.

Q: Tell me about a time you worked in a team.

A: Describe a project, your role, the collaboration process, and the outcome using the STAR

method.
Q: How do you handle failure?

A: I analyze what went wrong, learn from it, and try again with improved strategies.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: Reading tech blogs, playing chess, and exploring new programming languages.

Q: Describe your ideal work environment.

A: A collaborative, innovative, and growth-oriented space.

Q: What is your expected salary?

A: As a fresher, I am open to the company's standard package and more interested in learning and

growth.