Gemini Solutions interview experience Real time questions & tips from candidates to crack your interview

Software Engineer

Gemini Solutions
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2 rounds | 16 Coding problems

Interview preparation journey

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Journey
I started my preparation by focusing on the basics of programming and core subjects like Data Structures, DBMS, and Operating Systems. Initially, problem-solving was challenging, but with consistent practice, I gradually improved my logic and confidence. I also worked on clearly explaining my approach while solving problems. Although I couldn’t clear this opportunity, the experience helped me understand my weak areas and motivated me to improve further.
Application story
I applied for the role through my college’s on-campus placement drive after receiving the details from the placement cell. After registering for the opportunity, I was shortlisted for the online assessment round, which consisted of MCQs and coding questions. Based on my performance in the test, I was invited for the Personal Interview round. The entire process was conducted in a structured manner, with timely communication from the placement cell regarding each stage and updates.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
I believe I was rejected because, although I had a good understanding of the basics, I couldn’t demonstrate enough depth in problem-solving or confidence during the interview. I was able to attempt the questions, but I could have explained my approach more clearly and handled follow-up questions better. This experience made me realize the importance of strong conceptual clarity, structured thinking, and clear communication during interviews.
Preparation
Duration: 3 Months
Topics: Data Structures, Algorithms, DBMS, Operating Systems, OOP
Tip
Tip

Tip 1: Focus on strengthening your fundamentals in Data Structures, Algorithms, and core subjects before moving to advanced topics.

Tip 2: Practice coding regularly and make it a habit to clearly explain your approach while solving problems.

Tip 3: Learn from rejections and mock interviews by analyzing mistakes and working on your weak areas.

Application process
Where: Campus
Eligibility: Minimum 60% throughout academics (10th, 12th, and graduation), and no active backlogs at the time of application and joining. (Salary Package: 6 LPA)
Resume Tip
Resume tip

Tip 1: Highlight relevant projects and technical skills that showcase your problem-solving and coding abilities.

Tip 2: Keep your resume clear and concise, and be prepared to confidently explain every point mentioned in it.

Interview rounds

01
Round
Medium
Online Coding Interview
Duration90 minutes
Interview date30 Aug 2022
Coding problem10

Timing: Conducted during scheduled hours (not late at night), as part of the campus drive.
Environment: A smooth and moderately challenging online test environment with a mix of MCQs and coding questions.
Significant Activity: The focus was on solving coding problems within the given time, along with concept-based MCQs from core subjects.
Interviewer: There was no interviewer interaction in this round, as it was an online assessment.

1. Profit Percentage

A shopkeeper marks an item 20% above the cost price and gives a 10% discount. Find the profit percentage.

Problem approach

Use the CP–SP formula and calculate step by step.

2. Search Complexity

What is the time complexity of searching for an element in an unsorted array?

Problem approach

Linear search: O(N)

3. List Insertion

In a singly linked list, how many pointers are required to insert a node at the beginning?

Problem approach

Only pointer update to head is required.

4. Search Algorithm

Which algorithm is best suited for searching an element in a sorted array with minimum time complexity?

Problem approach

Binary Search: O(log N).

5. Normal Forms

Which normal form removes partial dependency in a relation?

Problem approach

2NF removes partial dependency.

6. Join Result

What will be the result of an INNER JOIN between two tables when no matching records are found?

Problem approach

No rows returned.

7. Deadlock Conditions

Which of the following is NOT a condition for deadlock? (Options include Mutual Exclusion, Circular Wait, Preemption, and Hold & Wait.)

Problem approach

Preemption is not a deadlock condition (No Preemption is).

8. Function Overloading

Which OOP concept allows the same function name to behave differently based on input parameters?

Problem approach

Polymorphism (function overloading/overriding).

9. Two Sum

Easy
15m average time
83% success
0/40
Asked in companies
American ExpressDelhiveryErnst & Young (EY)

Sam want to read exactly ‘TARGET’ number of pages.

He has an array ‘BOOK’ containing the number of pages for ‘N’ books.

Return YES/NO, if it is possible for him to read any 2 books and he can meet his ‘TARGET’ number of pages.

Example:
Input: ‘N’ = 5, ‘TARGET’ = 5
‘BOOK’ = [4, 1, 2, 3, 1] 

Output: YES
Explanation:
Sam can buy 4 pages book and 1 page book.
Problem approach

Use HashSet to track elements.
Time Complexity: O(N)

Try solving now

10. Anagram Pairs

Moderate
30m average time
60% success
0/80
Asked in companies
NearbuyAmerican ExpressIBM

You are given two strings 'str1' and 'str1'.


You have to tell whether these strings form an anagram pair or not.


The strings form an anagram pair if the letters of one string can be rearranged to form another string.

Pre-requisites:

Anagrams are defined as words or names that can be formed by rearranging the letters of another word. Such as "spar" can be formed by rearranging letters of "rasp". Hence, "spar" and "rasp" are anagrams. 

Other examples include:

'triangle' and 'integral'
'listen' and 'silent'
Note:
Since it is a binary problem, there is no partial marking. Marks will only be awarded if you get all the test cases correct. 
Problem approach

Use a frequency array or sort both strings and compare.
Time Complexity: O(N log N) or O(N)

Try solving now
02
Round
Medium
Video Call
Duration50 minutes
Interview date6 Sep 2022
Coding problem6

Timing: Around 50 minutes, conducted during scheduled hours (not late at night).
Environment: Professional and slightly intense, focused on technical discussion and problem-solving.
Significant Activity: Mainly centered around Data Structures concepts and coding approaches; I was asked to explain logic, dry-run solutions, and discuss time and space complexity. Follow-up questions were based on optimization and edge cases.
Interviewer: Knowledgeable and detail-oriented; expected clear thinking, structured answers, and good communication. Occasionally provided hints to guide the solution.

1. Array vs List

What are the key differences between arrays and linked lists?

Problem approach

Mention about memory allocation, access time (O(1) vs O(N)), and insertion/deletion.

2. Queue Types

What is the difference between a normal queue and a priority queue?

Problem approach

FIFO vs priority-based removal (heap implementation).

3. Hashing Basics

What is hashing, and how does collision handling work?

Problem approach

Explain hash functions, collisions, and methods like chaining or open addressing.

4. Complexity Analysis

How do you analyze the time complexity of an algorithm?

Problem approach

Focus on loops, recursion, and dominant terms (Big-O notation).

5. Reverse List In K Groups

Hard
15m average time
85% success
0/120
Asked in companies
SAP LabsGrabSamsung

You are given a linked list of 'n' nodes and an integer 'k', where 'k' is less than or equal to 'n'.


Your task is to reverse the order of each group of 'k' consecutive nodes, if 'n' is not divisible by 'k', then the last group of nodes should remain unchanged.


For example, if the linked list is 1->2->3->4->5, and 'k' is 3, we have to reverse the first three elements, and leave the last two elements unchanged. Thus, the final linked list being 3->2->1->4->5.


Implement a function that performs this reversal, and returns the head of the modified linked list.


Example:
Input: 'list' = [1, 2, 3, 4], 'k' = 2

Output: 2 1 4 3

Explanation:
We have to reverse the given list 'k' at a time, which is 2 in this case. So we reverse the first 2 elements then the next 2 elements, giving us 2->1->4->3.


Note:
All the node values will be distinct.


Problem approach

Use iterative reversal with pointer manipulation for every group of k nodes.
Time Complexity: O(N)
Space Complexity: O(1)

Try solving now

6. Intersection Of Two Sorted Arrays

Easy
10m average time
90% success
0/40
Asked in companies
IBMBig BasketFacebook

You are given two arrays 'A' and 'B' of size 'N' and 'M' respectively. Both these arrays are sorted in non-decreasing order. You have to find the intersection of these two arrays.

Intersection of two arrays is an array that consists of all the common elements occurring in both arrays.

Note :
1. The length of each array is greater than zero.
2. Both the arrays are sorted in non-decreasing order.
3. The output should be in the order of elements that occur in the original arrays.
4. If there is no intersection present then return an empty array.
Problem approach

Use HashSet to store elements of one array and check for common elements.
Time Complexity: O(N + M)
Space Complexity: O(N)

Try solving now

Here's your problem of the day

Solving this problem will increase your chance to get selected in this company

Skill covered: Programming

What is the best case time complexity of Bubble Sort?

Choose another skill to practice
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