Preparing for Cisco’s Apprentice interview or OA? This page compiles realistic questions with crisp answers and a practical remote-interview checklist. Want tailored help? Book a free 10-minute OA readiness audit.
How the Cisco Apprentice Interview/OA Typically Works
- Structure: OA + technical discussion — Python/Django fundamentals, DB basics, Git/REST, sometimes cloud/container basics.
- Mode: Remote (often proctored) for OA; virtual panel for technical round.
- Time: 60–120 minutes overall, depending on track.
- Environment: Browser editor for MCQs/coding; live-share for technical discussion.
Most-Asked Questions (Click to reveal answers)
1) Why choose Django for backend development?
Answer:
Batteries-included: ORM, auth, admin, migrations, templating, security middleware. Rapid scaffolding with sensible defaults and a strong ecosystem.
2) Python vs C — when to use which?
Answer:
Python: dynamic, interpreted, quick to develop, broad libraries. C: compiled, close to hardware, deterministic performance. Use Python for productivity; C for systems/low-latency tasks.
3) PostgreSQL vs MySQL — key differences
Answer:
Postgres: advanced SQL (CTEs, window funcs), JSONB, strong ACID. MySQL: simpler setup, often faster for simple read-heavy workloads (engine-dependent). Choose per workload and ops familiarity.
4) When to use SQLite?
Answer:
Great for prototypes, tests, small apps, and embedded clients (single-file DB). Avoid for high-concurrency writes or multi-node deployments.
5) REST vs GraphQL — quick compare
Answer:
REST: resource-oriented endpoints; easy HTTP caching. GraphQL: client picks fields; fewer round-trips; needs schema/server setup and robust observability.
6) HTTP status codes overview
Answer:
2xx success (200/201), 3xx redirects (301/302), 4xx client errors (400/401/403/404), 5xx server errors (500/502/503).
7) Git basics — branching & merging
Answer:
Create feature branches from main; commit small logical changes; merge via PR with reviews. Resolve conflicts locally; use rebase for a clean history when appropriate.
8) Docker container vs VM
Answer:
Containers share the host kernel and package only user space—lightweight and fast startup. VMs virtualize hardware with their own OS—heavier isolation.
9) AWS Lambda — benefits and trade-offs
Answer:
Serverless: scale-to-zero, per-invocation billing, quick deploy. Trade-offs: cold starts, time limits, statelessness; use layers for dependencies.
10) Web security: CSRF vs XSS vs SQL injection — mitigations
Answer:
CSRF: tokens/same-site cookies. XSS: escape output, CSP, validate input. SQLi: parameterized queries/ORM; avoid string concatenation.
11) SQL: Active users in the last 30 days
Answer:
SELECT user_id
FROM logins
WHERE login_at >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '30 days'
GROUP BY user_id;
12) Python: Remove duplicates while preserving order
Answer:
def dedupe(seq):
seen = set()
out = []
for x in seq:
if x not in seen:
seen.add(x)
out.append(x)
return out
Cisco Apprentice Interview (Python/Django): Updated Real Questions, Short Answers & Remote Tips
Updated with the latest questions from recent interviews. Click to reveal concise answers.
Most-Asked Questions (Click to reveal answers)
What is the difference between a switch and a router?
Answer:
A switch connects devices within the same network (Layer 2), forwarding based on MAC addresses. A router connects different networks (Layer 3), forwarding based on IP addresses.
What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
Answer:
TCP is connection-oriented, reliable, and ensures delivery. UDP is connectionless, faster, and does not guarantee delivery.
What is an IP address?
Answer:
A unique identifier for devices on a network. IPv4 (32-bit) and IPv6 (128-bit).
What is a subnet mask?
Answer:
Defines the network and host portion of an IP address.
Explain DNS and DHCP.
Answer:
DNS resolves domain names to IPs. DHCP assigns IPs dynamically.
What is default gateway?
Answer:
A router address used to forward traffic to other networks.
What is ARP?
Answer:
Address Resolution Protocol maps IP addresses to MAC addresses within a LAN.
Explain VLANs.
Answer:
Virtual LANs logically segment a network into multiple broadcast domains.
What is trunking in networking?
Answer:
Trunk links carry multiple VLANs using 802.1Q tagging.
What is STP (Spanning Tree Protocol)?
Answer:
Prevents loops in a Layer 2 network by blocking redundant paths.
Difference between static and dynamic routing.
Answer:
Static routes are manually configured. Dynamic routes are learned via protocols like RIP, OSPF, BGP.
What is a MAC address?
Answer:
A unique 48-bit hardware address assigned to NICs.
What is NAT?
Answer:
Network Address Translation maps private IPs to public IPs for internet access.
Difference between public and private IPs.
Answer:
Private IPs are used in LANs; public IPs are routable on the internet.
What are Layers of the OSI model?
Answer:
Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, Application.
At which layer does a switch operate?
Answer:
Layer 2, some advanced switches at Layer 3.
At which layer does a router operate?
Answer:
Layer 3 (Network).
What is a broadcast domain?
Answer:
A network segment where a broadcast packet is received by all devices.
What is a collision domain?
Answer:
A segment where only one device can transmit at a time.
How do you check if a system has network connectivity?
Answer:
Use ping, traceroute, verify NIC configuration.
What is traceroute used for?
Answer:
To trace the path packets take to reach a destination.
What is the difference between hub and switch?
Answer:
Hub broadcasts to all, switch forwards to specific MAC.
What is ACL in Cisco?
Answer:
Access Control List filters traffic based on IP, protocol, or port.
What is ICMP?
Answer:
Internet Control Message Protocol used by ping/traceroute.
How do you prioritize multiple tickets at once?
Answer:
Handle critical incidents first, then high, medium, low based on business impact.
If a user cannot access the internet, how will you troubleshoot?
Answer:
Check connection → NIC settings → IP/DHCP → ping gateway → external site → check DNS.
How do you document troubleshooting steps?
Answer:
Record in ticketing system with actions, findings, resolution.
How do you explain a network outage to a non-technical person?
Answer:
Use simple language: system connecting computers to internet is down, being fixed.
How do you escalate an issue to L2?
Answer:
Provide ticket ID, steps taken, logs, screenshots, description.
How do you handle an angry user?
Answer:
Stay calm, acknowledge issue, reassure, give updates.
Scenario: A user cannot connect to Wi-Fi but Ethernet works. How do you troubleshoot?
Answer:
Check if Wi-Fi is enabled, verify SSID, password, DHCP lease, signal strength. Check if other users are affected. If isolated, reconfigure wireless adapter.
Scenario: A switch port is not forwarding traffic. What steps would you take?
Answer:
Check cable, interface status (show interface), ensure correct VLAN, verify no shutdown, check port security violations.
Scenario: Multiple users report slow network. How do you investigate?
Answer:
Check network utilization, switch/router CPU, ping tests, traceroute, check for loops or broadcast storms, verify bandwidth usage.
Scenario: A DNS server is down. How do you minimize impact?
Answer:
Switch clients to secondary DNS, use host file if critical, escalate to infra team, monitor until fixed.
Scenario: User says email not working but internet is fine. What’s your approach?
Answer:
Ping mail server, check DNS resolution for mail domain, verify ports (SMTP/IMAP/POP3), check Outlook/Thunderbird config, escalate if server-side issue.
Remote Interview Readiness Checklist
- Check mic/camera; test on the same browser you’ll use.
- Stable internet (≥10 Mbps); keep a hotspot fallback.
- Quiet, well-lit space; neutral background.
- Prepare a 60-sec self-intro and a 2-min project demo outline.
- Time-box coding: read constraints, outline tests, then code.
- Have a recovery plan: restart, reconnect, notify interviewer.
Need help? Book a 25-minute Mock Online Assessment →
What you get with Engineer’s Planet Interview Assistance
- OA Simulator: Camera/mic-on practice with section timers.
- Targeted drills: Python/Django, SQL joins & windows, Git/REST, Docker basics.
- Code reviews: Complexity, test-case strategy, refactoring.
- Company-specific prep: Cisco/Wipro/EY/Cognizant banks updated from real attempts.
- Scorecard & plan: Ranked improvements after every mock.
Get your free 10-minute readiness audit → /mentorship-sessions/
Downloadable PDF
Download the PDF: Cisco Apprentice – Questions & Answers