Cognizant Online Assessment: Real Questions, Short Answers & Remote Interview Tips

Pradip Singh063 views

Why this guide? If you’re preparing for Cognizant’s online assessment (OA) or a remote technical round, this page gives you two things: (1) a bank of real questions with crisp, interview-ready answers and (2) a practical checklist to avoid remote-interview pitfalls. If you’d like tailored help, book a free 10-minute OA readiness audit with Engineer’s Planet.

How the Cognizant Online Assessment typically works

    • Structure: Aptitude/CS fundamentals + Java/SQL/DBMS/OS + 1–2 coding items (varies by role/track).
    • Mode: Remote proctored—webcam, mic, and screen monitoring enabled; ID verification required.
    • Time: 60–120 minutes, depending on the test version; section timers may apply.
    • Environment: Browser-based editor for coding; built-in SQL console or MCQ for DBMS (varies).
Tip: Read all instructions on the calculator, notes, and switching windows. Many platforms auto-flag tab changes.

Book a 25-min Mock Online Assessment → @ INR 3999/-

Most-Asked Questions — with concise answers (Click to see the answer)

These were reported by recent candidates and curated by the Engineer’s Planet community. Use them to revise concepts and rehearse 30–60-second answers.

Java & OOP

1) What is encapsulation in OOP? How does it enhance data security?

Click to see the answer
Encapsulation bundles data and the methods operating on it inside a class while restricting direct field access (e.g., private fields with getters/setters). It enforces invariants, reduces coupling, and prevents unintended external modification—improving integrity and security.

2) Array vs Linked List—when would you use one over the other?

Click to see the answer
Array: O(1) random access, contiguous memory, great cache locality; resizing can be costly. Linked list: O(1) insert/delete with a reference, O(n) access, extra pointer overhead. Use arrays for indexed lookups/fixed sizes; linked lists for frequent inserts/deletes where random access isn’t needed.

3) What is method overloading? Can it be done with different return types?

Click to see the answer
Overloading = same method name, different parameter lists (number/order/types). Return type alone cannot distinguish overloads in Java.

4) What is garbage collection in Java? How does it work?

Click to see the answer
GC automatically reclaims memory of unreachable objects. HotSpot uses generational collectors (young/old) with mark-sweep/copy/compact phases; may include short stop-the-world pauses.

Operating Systems & Networks

5) What is paging and segmentation?

Click to see the answer
Paging splits memory into fixed-size pages/frames to avoid external fragmentation. Segmentation divides into logical, variable-sized units (code/data/stack). Many systems combine them: segmented virtual memory atop paging.

6) Difference between final, finally, and finalize (Java)?

Click to see the answer
final: prevents change/override/extend; finally: always executes after try/catch; finalize(): legacy GC callback—deprecated/removed in modern Java. Don’t rely on it.

7) HTTP vs HTTPS?

Click to see the answer
HTTPS = HTTP over TLS. Adds encryption, integrity, and server authentication via certificates—protects data in transit against eavesdropping/tampering.

Databases & SQL

8) What is a view in SQL? How is it different from a table?

Click to see the answer
A view is a stored query (virtual table). It simplifies complex joins and restricts exposure for security. It typically stores no data (unless materialized).

9) Process vs Thread (with examples)?

Click to see the answer
A process owns its address space (heavier isolation). Threads share a process’s memory (lighter). Example: a web-server process with worker threads handling requests concurrently.

10) Explain ACID properties in DBMS (with examples).

Click to see the answer
Atomicity (all/none), Consistency (constraints preserved), Isolation (concurrent correctness via isolation levels), Durability (commits survive crashes). Example: bank transfer must debit and credit together.

11) SQL: Find employees who joined in the last 6 months

Click to see the answer

-- PostgreSQL
SELECT *
FROM employees
WHERE join_date >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '6 months';

-- MySQL
SELECT *
FROM employees
WHERE join_date >= DATE_SUB(CURDATE(), INTERVAL 6 MONTH);

Coding

12) Coding: Print Fibonacci series up to N terms (iterative)

Click to see the answer

int a = 0, b = 1;
for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
System.out.print(a + " ");
int c = a + b;
a = b; b = c;
}

Remote Interview (OA) Readiness Checklist

    • System: Update OS, browser, JDK/Python as allowed; disable pop-up blockers; charge your laptop.
    • Internet: Stable ≥10 Mbps. Keep a mobile hotspot as backup.
    • Room: Quiet, well-lit, plain background; camera at eye level. No papers or secondary devices.
    • Proctoring rules: Keep ID handy; don’t switch tabs; read calculator/editor policies.
    • Time management: Skim all questions → solve sure-shots → return for longer items. Leave 5 minutes to review.
    • Dry-run: Do a mock OA: 60–90 minutes with a webcam and a single-screen setup.

Get a free 10-minute readiness audit →

What you get with the Engineer’s Planet Interview Assistance

    • OA Simulator: Camera/mic-on practice with section timers.
    • Targeted drills: Java/OOP, SQL windows & joins, OS/DBMS quick-answers, debugging.
    • Code reviews: Complexity analysis, test-case strategy, refactoring.
    • Company-specific prep: Cognizant/PwC/EY/Wipro/Cisco question banks updated from real attempts.
    • Scorecard & plan: You leave each mock with a ranked list of improvements.

Book your Mock OA this week (limited slots) →

FAQs

Can I choose my coding language?
Usually yes (Java, Python, C++). Confirm in your invite; practice in one primary language and keep one backup.
What if my internet drops?
Reconnect immediately; most systems resume with the timer running. Use your hotspot as plan B.
Are notes or external IDEs allowed?
Typically no. Use only the built-in editor and scratchpad unless explicitly permitted.
How long should a concept answer be?
30–60 seconds. State the idea, give a tiny example, mention trade-offs.

Download the PDF + Practice Sheet

Get a handy PDF of these 12 questions, plus 20 bonus rapid-fire items and a printable OA timer sheet.

Download the 32-Question PDF (email required)

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Credits

Question set compiled from recent candidate experiences shared with Engineer’s Planet mentors and our learner community.

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