Interview Experience

Goldman Sachs, Bengaluru

Application: Summer Analyst Internship 2021

Application Process: Filled via Engineering Campus Hiring Program.

Round 1: Aptitude Test

  • Duration: 105 minutes
  • Questions: 66 MCQs (including 2 subjective)

Topics Covered:

  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Logical Reasoning (Dominant)
  • Subjective: Intuitive, not formula-based

Tips:

  • Practice quizzes on GeeksforGeeks to refresh tricks.
  • Stay calm during the test — avoid getting stuck on any one question.

Goldman Sachs, London

Application: Summer Analyst Internship 2021

Round 1: Programming Round

Note: Solved both within an hour due to prior practice.


Google

Application: SDE 2021

Process: Filled the form and submitted resume. Attended webinar: Life @ Google.

Round 1: Technical Interview

  • Duration: 60 minutes

  • Problems:

    1. XOR Queries (similar to this problem)

      • Type 0 x: insert x
      • Type 1 x: XOR all elements with x and print in sorted order
    2. Given a BST, print ancestors of a node that are co-prime with it.


Codenation

Tech Round

  • 3 Problems in 90 Minutes

1. Crazy Cube

  • Scenario: Infinite walls, floor

  • Goal: Minimize floor area to place n cubes

  • Constraints:

    • Cubes can be stacked only if surrounded by other cubes or walls
    • Test cases < 10⁶
    • Cubes in each test case < 10¹⁸

2. War with China

  • Scenario: India wants to destroy n Chinese cities in D days

  • Mechanics:

    • Missile of power Y destroys cities with defense < Y instantly
    • Each day, affected cities reduce defense of nearby cities
    • A city is demolished if defense < 1
  • Goal: Find minimum missile power to destroy all cities in D days

3. Business Profit Max in Min Time

  • Data: n points of 2 types:

    • C timestamp a: Cost (decreases value)
    • L timestamp a: Latency (increases value)
  • Goal: Find minimum time interval that gives maximum profit = value - cost