Google interview questions can look tough to crack, especially when one is not well-versed in the concepts.
The most useful tip while preparing for Google’s tough interviews is to know what type of questions can be asked. Majorly, an interviewer or a hiring manager would ask questions about coding problems, system design, behavioral questions, and more.
However, technical proficiency will not do alone if you want to join Google. You must also develop a strategic approach to solving tough interview questions.
The article delves into the intricacies of Google’s tough interview questions, covering a broad range of topics, from algorithmic puzzles and data structures to system design and situational judgment tests.
Apart from our curated list of Google interview questions, we will also provide actionable advice on how to tailor your preparation effectively.
By understanding these Google interview questions, individuals can test their knowledge and approach their interviews with confidence.
Now, let’s dive straight into the most asked questions at Google during interviews.
Top Google Interview Questions and Answers
We’ll begin with some sample Google interview questions and answers to get a basic idea of what to expect.
Expert’s Quote:
"Interviewing at Google is a unique experience. It's not just about coding proficiency; it's about showcasing your ability to collaborate, your passion for learning, and your capacity to thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment. It's not just an interview; it's a glimpse into how you approach problem-solving in the real world."
– Anonymous
Q1. How many times in a day do a clock’s hands make zero degrees with each other and overlap?
A clock’s hands overlap 22 times a day. There are 11 intervals in one hour, and the overlap happens once for every hour interval.
Q2. You have eight balls. Seven of them weigh the same, and only one weighs heavier. Determine which one in two weighings.
Pick any six balls and put three on each side of the weighing scale. If the weights of the three-ball sets are the same, the heavy ball isn't one of these six. It's one of the remaining two balls. Now put the two remaining on the scale to see which one.
However, if one set of three weighs heavier than the other in the group of six, the ball is one in the heavier set of three. Put any two of those three on the scale. If there’s a heavy ball in that measurement, you have found it. If both balls have the same weight, then the remaining ball that wasn’t measured is the heavy ball.
Q3. Explain the significance of "dead beef."
DEADBEEF refers to 0xDEADBEEF and is a hexadecimal value used in debugging in the mainframe/assembly days. IBM RS/6000 systems use it, Mac OS on 32-bit PowerPC processors uses it, and the Commodore Amiga uses it as a magic debug value. On Sun Microsystems' Solaris, dead beef marks freed kernel memory.
Q4. Explain a database in one sentence to your eight-year-old nephew.
A database is like a person who remembers lots of information about lots of things and gives other people that information when they need it.
Q5. Why are maintenance hole covers round?
Round maintenance hole covers don’t accidentally fall into the hole and are easier to manufacture. They require no alignment as there are no sides/corners in the round shape. This makes the heavy maintenance hole covers easier to put back on without hassle.
Google Tough Interview Questions for Practice
Here are some Google tough interview questions. Ensure you can solve them before your interview:
- How would you describe AdWords to a 6-year-old?
- Would it be good for Google to charge Gmail users?
- How would you explain the importance of HTML to your grandmother?
- How many ways are there to find a needle in a haystack?
- What changes will happen in the digital advertising space in the next few years?
- An advertiser makes $0.10 every time an ad is clicked. Only 20% of visitors click on this ad. How many people need to visit the site for the advertiser to make $20?
- What would you spend your time on if you didn’t have to work?
- Explain the internet to a person who has no clue what it is.
- If you had to remove ads from YouTube, how would you continue making money from the platform?
- Which has a significant advertising potential between a flower shop and a funeral home?
- How much will you charge to wash all the windows in the city?
- What day is today if the day before, the day before yesterday, comes three days after Saturday?
- How would you solve homelessness in downtown San Francisco?
- How can a man accurately predict the exact score of every football game before it begins?
- An airplane crashed into a field, and all died except two. How can that happen?
- Get a total of 1000 by using eight 8s.
Practice some more Google interview questions and uplevel your tech interview prep.
Most Common Google Interview Questions
Lastly, here are some of the most common interview questions asked at Google. Some of these are so tricky that they were banned:
- In a group of 10 members, the age of all ten members is the same as it was four years ago because a young member replaced an old member. How much younger than the senior member is the new member?
- What is one song you’d like to play whenever you enter a room for the rest of your life?
- Estimate the number of basketballs that can fit into an average-sized plane.
- Explain cloud computing to a 6-year-old.
- Name your favorite Google product, and describe how to improve it.
- What would you do if you wanted to bring your pet to work, but one of your team members was allergic to pet fur?
- List some things that make you nervous.
- Would you choose to earn or learn?
- What’s the number of piano tuners in the entire world?
- What does Googleyness mean to you?
- A coin was flipped 1,000 times, and there were 560 heads. Is the coin biased?
- What is one sentence you’d want to be remembered by?
- Design an evacuation plan for the city.
If you want to dive deeper and practice more, you can explore Google tough interview questions.
While self-assessment is an important part in your preparation journey, understanding the interview pattern is equally important. Practice some mock interviews and read our guide to 12 key preparation tips to crack an interview to prepare better.
Ready to Nail Your Next Coding Interview?
Data Scientists looking to build strong analytical and reasoning skills should go through this list of Google interview questions.
However, if you want to elevate your interview preparation, you can go for our Data Science Interview Prep course which is tailored specifically for the analytical minds. Our course offers in-depth preparation techniques, real-world problem-solving exercises, and expert tips to navigate tough interview questions.
At IK, you get the unique opportunity to learn from expert instructors who are hiring managers and tech leads at Google, Facebook, Apple, and other top Silicon Valley tech companies.
Our success stories stand as a testament that we have successfully trained thousands of software engineers to crack the most challenging coding interviews and land jobs at their dream companies, such as Google, Facebook, Apple, Netflix, Amazon, and more!
FAQs: Google Tough Interview Questions
What is Google's acceptance rate?
Google receives around three million applications every year and accepts 0.2% of them. This means that you have a better chance of getting into Harvard than Google.
Can a fresher get a job at Google?
Yes! While most jobs at Google require a few years of experience, Google does hire fresh graduates if their projects and internships stand out and exhibit the innovative, problem-solving skill set they’re looking for.
How long is the Google interview process?
Google interview process can be rigorous, often with 3-4 interviews in one day, either in-person or over video). They also aim to make it friendly and warm and allow you to get to know them better too.
Is Google interview very tough?
Google interviews can be tough and involve Google-specific questions covering a wide range of topics. But as long as your concepts are clear and skill sharpened, it’s a more intellectually stimulating experience than an overwhelmingly daunting one.
What do Google interviewers look for?
Google interviewers look for alignment with their four principles: cognitive ability, leadership, role-related knowledge, and Googleyness.
Does Google pay well?
According to a Work Happiness survey at Indeed, 72% of people think they are paid fairly at Google based on 2,798 ratings.
Related Articles:
- Top 40+ SQL Interview Questions for Experienced
- Google Leadership Principles Interview Questions
- Top Questions to Ask in an Interview - Career Advice
- Phone Interview Questions to Ask the Interviewer
