SAP Labs | Scholar@SAP | Off Campus | India | September 2021 [Offer]

This post details my interview journey for the Scholar@SAP program, an integrated M.Tech (Software Engineering) and job opportunity with BITS, Pilani, where all educational costs are covered by the company. After completing the masters, I would be converted to a Full-Time Employee (FTE) following a managerial interview.

STAGE 1: Online Assessment (September 3, 2021)

The online assessment was divided into two sections:

• Section 1: This section included 15 Java and 15 C++ pseudo code, OOPS, and output-based MCQ questions. I had 15 Java MCQs in 15 minutes with navigation allowed, and 15 C++ MCQs in 20 minutes with no navigation allowed (had to submit each answer to proceed).
• Section 2: I faced 2 basic coding questions on String, Arrays, and Math operations, with a time limit of 1 hour. I received one simple substring-based problem and a Math operation on an Integer Array problem. I managed to solve both within 15 minutes using Java.

It's important to have a solid grasp of basic concepts and OOPS for both C++ and Java, along with understanding the inner workings of pre-defined functions and keywords for this test. Three students, including myself, were selected for the technical interview round.

STAGE 2: Technical Round 1 (September 8, 2021)

My first technical interview took place on Microsoft Teams. After greeting the interviewer, he started with a logical puzzle:

• Logical Puzzle: If you have two candles that take an hour to burn completely, how will you measure half an hour by lighting and observing the candles in any manner? No other method allowed. I was stuck for about 20 seconds but managed to answer it.
• Follow-up: How will you measure 15 minutes? I couldn't answer this one, and he moved on.

Next, he asked me some OOPS-related questions and requested a demonstration of encapsulation in Java, which was a pretty textbook question. Following that, I was asked to write the program for LeetCode Problem 14, Longest Common Prefix. I solved it with a couple of hints, and he seemed satisfied with my approach, also discussing some follow-up questions to assess my problem-solving skills.

He then delved into Java-specific questions on Classes, Inheritance, and Strings. A thorough understanding of OOPS is key here. I also got a scenario-based question that made me stammer:

• Scenario Question: Describe the approach you would take as a freelance web developer to make a website for a client, for example, a Food Corp client needing a dashboard to manage seller data. I gave generic answers about client briefing and requirements. Since I was just learning web development then, I admitted it, and he guided me through some aspects of the process.

Finally, I asked him two questions about the work I would be assigned. The call concluded after some casual discussions about the work culture. This 45-minute interview was an awesome first-time experience. I received an email for the next round at 1 PM, scheduled for 2 PM the same day.

STAGE 2: Technical Round 2 (September 8, 2021)

This round began directly with questions after formal greetings. He presented a SQL database question:

• SQL Question: How would you find the maximum value in a row of a different table whose primary key is minimum in another table? All values in the tables are integer types. I couldn't answer correctly initially, but after some hints, I arrived at a satisfactory approach, realizing it was simpler than I thought.

Next, he inquired about Polymorphism, its types, usage, and properties, including how to implement multiple inheritance in Java. These were again typical OOPS questions. Lastly, he gave me two OOPS-based programs and asked for their outputs by dry-running them, which I answered correctly.

I then had some questions for him, leading to a long discussion about technical avenues in the industry. He shared many of his experiences in the IT sector. This round lasted 50 minutes. I received the mail for the HR interview at 6 PM, scheduled for September 9th.

STAGE 3: HR Interview (September 9, 2021)

The HR interview was primarily discussion-based, focusing on company values, my future plans, and my thoughts about SAP. One specific question stood out:

• HR Question: How would you describe SAP Labs to a client who is unaware of the organization and technologies? I was surprised by how impressed the interviewer was with my answer, and at that moment, I knew I was selected.

After a few more typical HR questions, the call ended. I received my selection mail at 6 PM that evening. This was my first-ever placement experience in my final year, and I was the only student selected from my entire college. The joy was immense.