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

SDE

TCS
upvote
share-icon
2 rounds | 4 Coding problems

Interview preparation journey

expand-icon
Journey
I began my programming journey by learning C++, which laid the foundation for exploring core coding concepts. Once I was comfortable with the basics, I focused on Data Structures and Algorithms, practicing extensively on coding platforms. For foundational subjects like OS and DBMS, I took detailed notes during college semesters and revisited them during placement season to reinforce my understanding. Recognizing the importance of communication in interviews, I also practiced explaining concepts and coding solutions to friends, which improved my ability to articulate my thoughts clearly. This holistic approach helped me prepare both technically and personally for my interviews.
Application story
Since it was an on-campus opportunity, I filled out the application form using the link provided by the college. The form was submitted on TCS's NextStep portal. The online test was conducted at their examination center. After that, selected candidates were called for an interview, which was also conducted at a different examination center.
Why selected/rejected for the role?
I was selected for this role because I prepared not only for technical questions but also for managerial questions.
Preparation
Duration: 10 Months
Topics: Data Structures, OOPS, React JS, Operating System, Database Management System
Tip
Tip

Tip 1: Know the concepts of your programming language.
Tip 2: Prepare a good introduction.
Tip 3: Revision is a must.

Application process
Where: Campus
Eligibility: Above 7 CGPA, Not more than two years gap in the education. (Salary: 3.5 CTC)
Resume Tip
Resume tip

Tip 1: Prepare everything you mentioned in your resume.
Tip 2: Keep your resume well-structured and use a standard template.

Interview rounds

01
Round
Easy
Online Coding Interview
Duration180 Minutes
Interview date26 Apr 2024
Coding problem2

This round was conducted in different time slots. My time slot was 3:00-6:00 PM. The test two sections: the first one has three subsections: Verbal Ability (20 Questions), Logical Reasoning (20 questions) and Quantitative Ability (20 Questions). The second one has two subsections: Advanced Quantitative and Reasoning Ability (30 questions) and two coding questions.

1. Cube Sum Pairs

Easy
15m average time
85% success
0/40
Asked in companies
AdobeFreshworksBarclays

You are given a positive integer N, and you have to find the number of ways to represent N as a sum of cubes of two integers(let’s say A and B), such that:

N = A^3 + B^3.

Note:

1. A should be greater than or equal to one (A>=1).
2. B should be greater than or equal to zero (B>=0).
3. (A, B) and (B, A) should be considered different solutions, if A is not equal to B, i.e (A, B) and (B, A) will not be distinct if A=B.
Problem approach

Using the mathematical formula.

Try solving now

2. Sum or Product

Easy
15m average time
80% success
0/40
Asked in companies
OkcreditNosh technologiesTCS

You are given a number ‘N’ and a query ‘Q.’ If ‘Q’ is 1, then you have to return the sum of all integers from 1 to ‘N,’ else if ‘Q’ is equal to 2 then you have to return the product of all integers from 1 to ‘N.’ Since the product can be very large, return it modulo 10 ^ 9 + 7.

For example

Given ‘N’ = 4, ‘Q’ = 1. 
Then the answer is 10 because the sum of all integers between 1 and 4 are 1, 2, 3, and 4. Hence 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 is equal to 10.
Problem approach

First, store the values in data structures. Then, perform the calculation and print the answer. Make sure you know how to take inputs and which data structure to choose, because when we practice on coding platforms, we don’t need to do it, so it becomes out of habit.

Try solving now
02
Round
Medium
Face to Face
Duration45 Minutes
Interview date13 Jun 2024
Coding problem2

Various questions were asked, including concepts of React JS, Operating Systems, SQL, C++, Java, and topics from the projects mentioned in the resume. The managerial round was also included in this stage.

1. Delete Node In A Linked List

Easy
15m average time
80% success
0/40
Asked in companies
HSBCAdobeCIS - Cyber Infrastructure

You are given a Singly Linked List of integers and a reference to the node to be deleted. Every node of the Linked List has a unique value written on it. Your task is to delete that node from the linked list.

A singly linked list is a linear data structure in which we can traverse only in one direction i.e. from Head to Tail. It consists of several nodes where each node contains some data and a reference to the next node.

Note:

• The reference to the head of the linked list is not given.
• The node to be deleted is not a tail node.
• The value of each node in the Linked List is unique.
• It is guaranteed that the node to be deleted is present in the linked list.

A sample Linked List-

singly_linkedlist

Problem approach

I provided the standard solution. The pen and paper were given.

Try solving now

2. SQL queries

Write a query to select only unique values from the department column in the employees table. 

How can you retrieve rows from a table where the salary is greater than 5000? 

Tell us about Joins. (Learn)

Write a query to find the employee with the highest salary in the employees table using a subquery.

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 recursion?

Choose another skill to practice
Similar interview experiences
SDE - 1
2 rounds | 4 problems
Interviewed by TCS
0 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
SDE
2 rounds | 5 problems
Interviewed by TCS
1041 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
Digital Technology Intern
2 rounds | 2 problems
Interviewed by TCS
821 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
TCS Ninja
3 rounds | 5 problems
Interviewed by TCS
1016 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
Companies with similar interview experiences
company logo
SDE
3 rounds | 6 problems
Interviewed by PhonePe
0 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
company logo
SDE
5 rounds | 8 problems
Interviewed by Mathworks
1205 views
0 comments
0 upvotes
company logo
SDE
4 rounds | 7 problems
Interviewed by PhonePe
0 views
0 comments
0 upvotes