Top EXL Service Interview Questions (Part 2): Puzzles, Technical, and HR

Puzzle Questions

  1. 25 Horses, 5 Tracks: To find the top three fastest horses from 25, using only 5 tracks, requires 7 races. Five initial races identify the fastest horse in each group. The winners then race to find the overall fastest. The remaining top 2 and 3 horses from the 6th race and the next 2nd-place horses from the original 5 races are raced to find the 2nd and 3rd fastest.
  2. Cake Cutting: You can cut a cake into 8 equal pieces with 3 cuts by making one horizontal cut, one vertical cut, and a diagonal cut.
  3. Eye Counting: The answer is 2 (your eyes).
  4. Word Formation: UMNI can be rearranged to form MINIMUM.
  5. Animal Cage: There are 28 rabbits and 44 chickens. (Solve using simultaneous equations representing heads and feet).

Technical Interview Questions

Technical questions assess your knowledge and skills. Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities.

Low-Level vs. High-Level Programming Languages

Low-Level Language High-Level Language
Machine-dependent; closer to hardware; difficult to write and debug. Machine-independent; easier to write and debug; more abstract.

Interfaces in Java

Interfaces define a contract: a set of methods that implementing classes must provide. They are used to achieve abstraction and multiple inheritance (a class can implement many interfaces).

Creating Immutable Classes in Java

An immutable class cannot be modified after creation. To create one:

  • Declare the class as final.
  • Declare all fields as final.
  • Do not provide setter methods.
  • Make all fields private.
  • Return copies of mutable fields in getter methods.

Immutability of the String Class in Java

String objects are immutable in Java. Any operation that appears to modify a String actually creates a new String object.

Constructor Inheritance in Java

Constructors are not inherited. A subclass's constructor can call the superclass constructor using super().

The static Keyword in Java

The static keyword in Java indicates that a member (variable or method) belongs to the class itself, not to any instance. Static members are shared among all instances.

Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Abstraction

These are fundamental object-oriented programming concepts:

  • Encapsulation: Bundling data and methods into a class.
  • Inheritance: Creating new classes based on existing ones.
  • Abstraction: Hiding complex implementation details.

Database Normalization

Normalization is a database design technique used to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity.

Checking for Circular Linked Lists

Use two pointers, one moving one node at a time and the other moving two nodes at a time. If they meet, the list is circular.

itoa() Function in C

The itoa() function (not standard C) converts an integer to a string.

Calculating Class Size in C++

The size of a C++ class depends on the size of its members and any compiler-added padding.

Pointer Arithmetic in C

Pointer arithmetic allows performing arithmetic operations on pointers. The result is calculated based on the pointer's data type.

C++ vs. C

C++ C
Object-oriented. Procedural.

Smallest Java Package

The java.applet package is relatively small.

Searching Techniques

  • Linear Search
  • Binary Search

Linear Search Algorithm

Linear search checks each element sequentially.

Advantages of Selection Sort

  • Simple.
  • Efficient for small datasets.

Applications of Multi-Linked Structures

  • Sparse matrices.
  • Advanced indexing schemes.

NULL vs. VOID in C

NULL VOID
Represents a null pointer. Represents the absence of a data type.

HCF and LCM

Highest Common Factor (HCF)

The HCF of two or more integers is the largest positive integer that divides each of the integers without leaving a remainder. It's also known as the Greatest Common Divisor (GCD).

For example:

  • The factors of 12 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12.
  • The factors of 18 are 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 18.
  • The common factors of 12 and 18 are 1, 2, 3, and 6.
  • Therefore, the highest common factor (HCF) of 12 and 18 is 6.

Methods for finding HCF:

  • Listing Factors: This method works well for smaller numbers. List all the factors of each number and identify the largest common factor.
  • Prime Factorization: This is a more efficient method for larger numbers. Express each number as a product of its prime factors. The HCF is the product of the common prime factors raised to the lowest power.
    For example, to find the HCF of 12 and 18:
    • 12 = 2² × 3
    • 18 = 2 × 3²
    • The common prime factors are 2 and 3. The lowest power of 2 is and the lowest power of 3 is . Therefore, HCF(12, 18) = 2 × 3 = 6.
  • Euclidean Algorithm: This is an efficient algorithm for finding the HCF of two numbers, especially large ones. It involves repeatedly applying the division algorithm until the remainder is 0. The last non-zero remainder is the HCF.

Lowest Common Multiple (LCM)

The LCM of two or more integers is the smallest positive integer that is a multiple of each of the integers.

For example:

  • The multiples of 12 are 12, 24, 36, 48, 60...
  • The multiples of 18 are 18, 36, 54, 72...
  • The common multiples of 12 and 18 are 36, 72, 108...
  • Therefore, the lowest common multiple (LCM) of 12 and 18 is 36.

Methods for finding LCM:

  • Listing Multiples: This method is suitable for smaller numbers. List the multiples of each number until you find the smallest common multiple.
  • Prime Factorization: Similar to finding the HCF, express each number as a product of its prime factors. The LCM is the product of all prime factors raised to the highest power.
    For example, to find the LCM of 12 and 18:
    • 12 = 2² × 3
    • 18 = 2 × 3²
    • The prime factors are 2 and 3. The highest power of 2 is and the highest power of 3 is . Therefore, LCM(12, 18) = 2² × 3² = 4 × 9 = 36.
  • Using the HCF: There's a useful relationship between HCF and LCM: For any two positive integers a and b, LCM(a, b) × HCF(a, b) = a × b. This can be used to find the LCM if you already know the HCF (or vice versa).

Understanding HCF and LCM is crucial for simplifying fractions, solving problems related to ratios and proportions, and even in areas like music theory (finding the least common denominator for rhythmic patterns).

Top iGATE Interview Questions: Technical and HR

iGATE Company Overview

iGATE (now part of Capgemini) was a global IT services company offering consulting, technology, and outsourcing services. Founded in 1996, it was acquired by Capgemini in 2015. iGATE had a large global presence and a wide range of service offerings.

iGATE Recruitment Process

iGATE's recruitment typically involved three rounds:

  1. Written Test
  2. Technical Interview
  3. HR Interview

First Round: Written Test

The written test assessed aptitude and English proficiency.

Section Number of Questions
English Proficiency 20
Quantitative Aptitude 15
Logical Reasoning 15

Aptitude Questions

  1. Question 1: Mansi and her grandfather's average age is 40; their ages are in a 1:3 ratio. What's Mansi's age?
    Answer:

    20

  2. Question 2: Calculate: 25% of 350 + 35% of 250
    Answer:

    175

  3. Question 3: Probability of drawing two non-green balls from a bag with 2 blue, 3 yellow, and 2 green balls?
    Answer:

    10/21

  4. Question 4: A salary decreased by 40% and then increased by 40%. What's the net change?
    Answer:

    16% decrease

  5. Question 5: A class average increased by 0.5 due to a wrongly entered score (93 instead of 73). How many students?
    Answer:

    40

  6. Question 6: A person walks at 4 km/h, taking 3 hours 45 minutes. How long would it take at 12.5 km/h?
    Answer:

    72 minutes

  7. Question 7: A park's length:breadth is 2:1. A person runs around it at 10 km/h in 9 minutes. Find the area.
    Answer:

    405,000 sq. m

  8. Question 8: A and B do a job in 30 days. After 20 days, B leaves, and A finishes in 20 more days. How long would B take alone?
    Answer:

    60 days

  9. Question 9: Aman and Rahul's ages are 3:4. In 6 years, Aman will be 27. What is Rahul's current age?
    Answer:

    28 years

Verbal Ability Questions

  1. Correct the sentence: If Riya ____ ready ____ in the house, I will rent it.
    Answer:

    is, to stay

  2. Correct the sentence: John _______ along the road.
    Answer:

    ran

  3. Fill in the blank: _______ a match to light the candle.
    Answer:

    Strike

  4. Correct the sentence: These instructions must be followed by every student _______ the semester _______ exception.
    Answer:

    throughout, without

  5. Correct the sentence: In Rohan's family, when they sit at _______ dining table, the family likes to do all _______ chitchatting.
    Answer:

    the, their

  6. Correct the sentence: I miss ________ the today's news.
    Answer:

    watching

  7. Antonym of QUIESCENT:
    Answer:

    Active

  8. Sentence ordering: for the rest of the year; to buy anything else; if we use up the money; I think; we wouldn't be able
    Answer:

    4, 3, 5, 2, 1

  9. Correct the sentence: Priya was laughing so hard _______ Ravi's joke that she fell _______ her chair ________ the floor.
    Answer:

    at, off, onto

  10. Correct the sentence: Success in the IAS examination depends ....... hard work only.
    Answer:

    on

Logical Reasoning Questions

  1. Next number: 14, 28, 20, 40, 32, 64...?
    Answer:

    56

  2. Odd one out: Dodge, Duck, Avoid, Flee
    Answer:

    Flee

  3. Next term: 8, 6, 9, 23, 87...?
    Answer:

    429

  4. Next term: 3, 7, 13, 27, 53...?
    Answer:

    107

  5. Fill the blank: CMN, EOP, GQR, ___, KUV
    Answer:

    IST

  6. Analogy: PAIN : SEDATIVE
    Answer:

    Grief : Consolation

Technical Interview Questions

Prepare for questions related to your resume, projects, and areas of interest. Be ready to discuss your technical skills in detail.

Low-Level vs. High-Level Programming Languages

Low-Level Language High-Level Language
Machine-dependent; closer to hardware; difficult to write and debug. Machine-independent; easier to write and debug; more abstract.

Interfaces in Java

Interfaces define a contract that classes must implement; they promote abstraction and multiple inheritance.

Immutable Classes in Java

An immutable class cannot be modified after creation. Make the class final, fields final, and provide only getter methods.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common type.

Inheritance

Inheritance allows classes to inherit properties and methods from parent classes.

Types of Inheritance

  • Single
  • Multiple
  • Multilevel
  • Hierarchical
  • Hybrid

Demonstrating Inheritance

Java Code (Conceptual)

class ParentClass { /*...*/ }
class ChildClass extends ParentClass { /*...*/ }
        

The static Keyword

The static keyword indicates a class member (variable or method) that belongs to the class itself, not an instance of the class.

Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Abstraction

Encapsulation

Encapsulation is the bundling of data (variables) and methods (functions) that operate on that data within a single unit, such as a class. This protects the data from accidental or unauthorized access from outside the class. Access to the data is typically controlled through methods (getters and setters) that provide controlled ways to interact with the data. This promotes data integrity and reduces the risk of errors.

Example: A BankAccount class might encapsulate account balance, account number, and methods like deposit() and withdraw(). The internal balance is protected, and changes are made only through these methods.

Inheritance

Inheritance is a mechanism that allows you to create new classes (child classes or subclasses) based on existing classes (parent classes or superclasses). The child class inherits the properties (data) and methods of the parent class, and can also add its own unique properties and methods or override existing ones. This promotes code reusability and reduces redundancy.

Example: A SavingsAccount class could inherit from a BankAccount class. It would automatically inherit properties like accountNumber and balance, and could add its own specific methods related to interest calculations.

Abstraction

Abstraction is the process of hiding complex implementation details and showing only essential information to the user. It simplifies the interaction with an object by providing a higher-level interface. Abstraction is often achieved using abstract classes or interfaces, which define a common structure but leave the implementation details to be filled in by concrete subclasses.

Example: A Shape class might be abstract, defining methods like area() and perimeter(). Concrete subclasses like Circle and Rectangle would then provide the specific implementations for calculating area and perimeter for their respective shapes.

Database Normalization

Database normalization is a process used in databases to reduce redundancy and improve data integrity. It involves organizing data into tables in such a way that database integrity constraints properly enforce dependencies. This typically involves splitting databases into two or more tables and defining relationships between the tables.

The goal of normalization is to isolate data so that additions, deletions, and modifications of a field can be made in just one table and then propagated through the rest of the database via the defined relationships.

Normalization is achieved through a series of normal forms, with each form addressing specific types of redundancy:

  • First Normal Form (1NF): Eliminate repeating groups of data within a table. Each column should contain only atomic values (single values, not lists or arrays).
  • Second Normal Form (2NF): Be in 1NF and eliminate redundant data caused by partial dependencies. Non-key attributes should be fully functionally dependent on the entire primary key.
  • Third Normal Form (3NF): Be in 2NF and eliminate redundant data caused by transitive dependencies. Non-key attributes should not be dependent on other non-key attributes.
  • Boyce-Codd Normal Form (BCNF): A stricter version of 3NF, addressing certain anomalies not covered by 3NF.
  • Fourth Normal Form (4NF): Addresses multi-valued dependencies.
  • Fifth Normal Form (5NF): Addresses join dependencies.

Higher normal forms generally lead to less redundancy but can sometimes increase the complexity of database queries.

Top HCL Technologies Interview Questions

About HCL Technologies

HCL Technologies is a leading global technology company headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. They provide IT services and solutions across various industries. HCL's recruitment process assesses candidates' skills and cultural fit.

HCL's Academic Requirements

  • Minimum 60% in 10th and 12th standard.
  • Minimum 65% in B.Tech (or equivalent).
  • No active backlogs.

HCL's Recruitment Process

HCL's recruitment typically consists of three rounds:

  1. Written Test (Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability)
  2. Technical Interview
  3. HR Interview

First Round: Written Test

The written test evaluates your aptitude and English language skills. Questions often cover quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and verbal ability.

Aptitude Questions

  1. Question 1: X and Y fire shots in a 5:3 ratio. X kills 1 in 3 shots, Y kills 1 in 2. If Y misses 27 times, how many birds did X kill?
    Answer:

    30

  2. Question 2: A sum becomes Rs. 1348.32 in 2 years at compound interest. The rate of increase is 6%. Find the principal amount.
    Answer:

    Rs. 1200

  3. Question 3: What doesn't belong: Parsley, Basil, Dill, Mayonnaise?
    Answer:

    Mayonnaise

  4. Question 4: What doesn't belong: Inch, Ounce, Centimeter, Yard?
    Answer:

    Ounce

  5. Question 5: What doesn't belong: Tyre, Steering Wheel, Engine, Car?
    Answer:

    Car

  6. Question 6: Next term in the series: a/3, b/6, c/12, d/24...?
    Answer:

    e/48

  7. Question 7: Rafeek walks 20m North, 30m East, 35m East, 15m South, 15m South. Where is he now?
    Answer:

    45 meters East

  8. Question 8: Pratima walks 25m West, 10m South, 15m East, 30m NE (135 degrees). What direction is she facing?
    Answer:

    South-West

  9. (Reading comprehension question would go here)

Verbal Ability Questions

  1. Fill in the blank: Some patients _______ to physician assistants in recent years.
    Answer:

    have been going

  2. Correct the sentence: One more developed model of this bike ... in the showroom.
    Answer:

    will be shown

  3. Fill in the blank: I am ____ to have him ____ here.
    Answer:

    pleased, arrive

  4. Correct the sentence: The owner dispensed ... the services of his servant.
    Answer:

    with

  5. Correct the sentence: The two friends have fallen ....
    Answer:

    out

  6. Antonym of QUIESCENT:
    Answer:

    Active

  7. Misspelled word: Frostbite, Fretricide, Frenzy, Franchise
    Answer:

    Fretricide (Correct spelling: Fratricide)

  8. Misspelled word: Absess, Accessory, Abstinence, Abrasive
    Answer:

    Absess (Correct spelling: Abscess)

  9. Misspelled word: Profligacy, Hypocricy, Bureaucracy, Prophecy
    Answer:

    Hypocricy (Correct spelling: Hypocrisy)

  10. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Tranquility (2) Loyalty (3) Calamity (4) Uproar
    Answer:

    1-4 (Tranquility and Uproar are antonyms)

  11. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Opaque (2) Translucent (3) Transverse (4) Transvestite
    Answer:

    1-2 (Opaque and Translucent are antonyms)

  12. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Vilification (2) Nullification (3) Denigration (4) Falsification
    Answer:

    1-3 (Vilification and Denigration are synonyms)

Technical Interview Questions

Technical interview questions assess your knowledge of programming languages (C, C++, Java), data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.

Low-Level vs. High-Level Programming Languages

Low-Level Language High-Level Language
Machine-dependent; closer to hardware. Machine-independent; more abstract and easier to use.

Interfaces in Java

Interfaces define a contract; classes that implement an interface must provide implementations for its methods.

Immutable Classes

An immutable class cannot be modified after creation. Make fields final and provide only getter methods.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism allows objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common type.

Inheritance

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

Types of Inheritance

  • Single
  • Multiple
  • Multilevel
  • Hierarchical
  • Hybrid

Inheritance Example

Java Code (Conceptual)

class Animal { /*...*/ }
class Dog extends Animal { /*...*/ }
        

The static Keyword

The static keyword indicates class members (shared among all objects).

Top Infosys Interview Questions: Aptitude, Technical, and HR

About Infosys

Infosys is a leading global technology company headquartered in Bengaluru, India. They provide IT services and consulting to businesses worldwide. Infosys's recruitment process is designed to assess candidates' skills and potential.

Infosys Academic Requirements

  • Minimum 60% in 10th and 12th standard.
  • Minimum 65% in B.Tech (Computer Science, Information Technology, or Electronics and Communication).
  • No pending backlogs at the time of the interview.

Infosys Recruitment Process

Infosys's recruitment process typically includes three rounds:

  1. Online Test (Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Verbal Ability)
  2. Technical Interview
  3. HR Interview

First Round: Online Test

This round assesses your aptitude and English language skills through multiple-choice questions.

Aptitude Questions

  1. Question 1: X and Y shoot birds in a 5:3 ratio. X kills 1 in 3 shots, Y kills 1 in 2. If Y misses 27 times, how many birds did X kill?
    Answer:

    30

  2. Question 2: Compound interest: Rs. 1200 becomes Rs. 1348.32 in 2 years. Find the rate.
    Answer:

    6%

  3. Question 3: What doesn't belong: Parsley, Basil, Dill, Mayonnaise?
    Answer:

    Mayonnaise

  4. Question 4: What doesn't belong: Inch, Ounce, Centimeter, Yard?
    Answer:

    Ounce

  5. Question 5: What doesn't belong: Tyre, Steering Wheel, Engine, Car?
    Answer:

    Car

  6. Question 6: Next term in the series: a/3, b/6, c/12, d/24...?
    Answer:

    e/48

  7. Question 7: Rafeek walks 20m North, 30m East, 35m East, 15m South, 15m South. Where is he now?
    Answer:

    45 meters East

  8. Question 8: Pratima walks 25m West, 10m South, 15m East, 30m NE (135 degrees). What direction is she facing?
    Answer:

    South-West

Verbal Ability Questions

  1. Correct this sentence: Some patients _______ to physician assistants in recent years.
    Answer:

    have been going

  2. Correct this sentence: One more developed model of this bike ... in the showroom.
    Answer:

    will be shown

  3. Fill in the blank: I am ____ to have him ____ here.
    Answer:

    pleased, arrive

  4. Correct the sentence: The owner dispensed ... the services of his servant.
    Answer:

    with

  5. Correct the sentence: The two friends have fallen ....
    Answer:

    out

  6. Antonym of QUIESCENT:
    Answer:

    Active

  7. Correct spelling: Frostbite, Fretricide, Frenzy, Franchise
    Answer:

    Fratricide

  8. Correct spelling: Absess, Accessory, Abstinence, Abrasive
    Answer:

    Abscess

  9. Correct spelling: Profligacy, Hypocricy, Bureaucracy, Prophecy
    Answer:

    Hypocrisy

  10. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Tranquility (2) Loyalty (3) Calamity (4) Uproar
    Answer:

    1-4 (Antonyms)

  11. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Opaque (2) Translucent (3) Transverse (4) Transvestite
    Answer:

    1-2 (Antonyms)

  12. Synonym/Antonym Pair: (1) Vilification (2) Nullification (3) Denigration (4) Falsification
    Answer:

    1-3 (Synonyms)

Technical Interview Questions

Technical questions assess your understanding of fundamental computer science concepts, data structures, algorithms, and programming.

Polymorphism

Polymorphism enables objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common type.

Linked Lists

A linked list is a data structure where elements are connected using pointers. It is dynamic; elements can be added or removed efficiently.

Database Normalization, Joins, and Keys

(Descriptions of these database concepts would go here)

Inheritance

Inheritance is an OOP concept where a class inherits properties and methods from a parent class.

Types of Inheritance

  • Single
  • Multiple
  • Multilevel
  • Hierarchical
  • Hybrid

Inheritance Example

Java Code (Conceptual)

class Animal { /*...*/ }
class Dog extends Animal { /*...*/ }
        

Constructors in Java

(Description of constructors in Java would go here)

Destructors in Java

(Description of destructors in Java would go here)

Static Keyword in Java

(Description of the static keyword in Java would go here)

Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Abstraction

(Descriptions of these OOP principles would go here)

Checking for Circular Linked Lists

(Description of how to check for circular linked lists would go here)

`itoa()` Function in C

(Description of the itoa() function would go here)

Calculating Class Size

(Description of how to calculate the size of a C++ class would go here)

Pointer Arithmetic in C

(Description of pointer arithmetic in C would go here)

C++ vs. C

C++ C
Object-oriented. Procedural.

Smallest Java Package

(Description of the smallest package in the Java API would go here)

Searching Techniques

(Description of searching techniques, including linear and binary search, would go here)

Advantages of Selection Sort

(Description of the advantages of Selection Sort would go here)

Applications of Multi-Linked Structures

(Description of the applications of multi-linked structures would go here)

NULL vs. VOID in C

NULL VOID
Represents a null pointer value. Indicates the absence of a data type.

HCF and LCM

(Explanation of Highest Common Factor and Lowest Common Multiple would go here)

Example: Swapping Two Numbers Without a Temporary Variable (C)

C Code

void swap(int *x, int *y) {
  *x = *x + *y;
  *y = *x - *y;
  *x = *x - *y;
}
        

Output of C Program

Output
10 12 12