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Technical Test Tips
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IT
Posted by :
thedesk
Feb 2 2006
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| Tips to help you prepare for Technical Tests |
The Calling
"You have been short listed for the technical test on Linux this weekend" said the voice on the other side. You always wanted to work for such a company but never had got such an opportunity. Having heard a lot of good things about the company, you are really happy to have got a call from them. The jubilation continues for couple more moments and then, a cold dread sets in. Even though you have had substantial experience on Linux, the current project, going on now for over a year has been on a different technology. Let me search for the reference book and try brushing up, you say to yourself.
An oddball statistic says that only 10% of people that buy a book will read past the first chapter. So for the 90% of plebeian masses going through the mint condition Tech Gospels, you can seek solace in the fact that that you are not alone .But then there are time crunches with your project having some kind of derailment or something on similar lines on the personal front. The article below is set to help you in this situation and is aimed at making answering Technical tests, for amateurs and the returning champions, as easy as ABC
Why Technical Tests:
Technical tests will normally be held as the primary screening process at the venue. Normally the resourcing team gets a lot of people applying and cannot spend time interviewing every one of them in detail. The first round of technical test helps them weed out and then concentrating on the few who are able to fulfill the primary job functions satisfactorily.
While preparing for such a test it is always a good idea to have a look at the company’s website and see what technologies they are working with and how it relates to subject of the technical test. Besides helping you find the important areas of study, this also gives you rapport building tools for the interview stage. Thus to reach the interview , create an initial impression and to set the tone of the subsequent rounds ,the technical test plays a vital role.
Cut to the Chase
Usually between an hour or two, most of the technical tests are designed to test your fundamentals in the core skill required for the position and venture near the latest development or novel addition to the field. Following are list of websites that you can lookup for cheat sheets or quick reference that will considerably speedup your study.
Useful links
1. Allaplabs
Link: http://www.allapplabs.com/interview_questions/java_interview_questions.htm
Comments: Exceptionally good for Java. Also good for Database
2. Techinterviews
Link: http://www.techinterviews.com/?p=109
Comments: Check out the 55 most FAQ. Good for C++, Java, C#/ASP/VB/.Net, Mainframe, Shell Scripting, Database, VC++ etc.
3. DatabaseJournal
Link: http://www.databasejournal.com/features/oracle/article.php/3085171
Comments: Good Database questions
4. Acetheinterview
Link: http://www.acetheinterview.com/qanda/algorithms.html
Comments: Overall interview apporach. Good for C++, Java, Database
5. ExpertsExchange
Link: http://www.experts-exchange.com/
Comments: Database of questions. Good for a variety of technologies
The Achilles' heel
Having gone through the above mentioned tests, you would by now know your weak areas in the topic. Now do a quick search using popular search engines to see if there are any feedbacks (read question banks) that other candidates might put up on the web. A typical search with keywords like ("placement papers"+ ) would yield some interesting results.
Make sure to go through them and cover especially your weak areas. If you are a fresher who is going through a lot of different interviews, make sure you learn from every interview. Keep a rough copy of your resume with post-it stuck on about unusual questions asked of a certain detail asked in a test or interview.
Turning the tables
To summarize
· Try to get a good book in the subject area and refresh your fundamentals if you have the adequate amount of time.
· Get a hold of few practice test and solve them couple of days before the actual test
· Double check again for any exposed weak areas from various question banks available on the website
Now with all your questions answered, you are in control. You should easily be able to go through the technical test and sail through technical interviews. So work hard and when that Project Manager meets you, let him be in for a pleasant surprise today.
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