Msc interview

1
Computational Science- IISC Computational Science M. Tech( SERC)
+2 mathematics
probability
Basic Mathematics and Programming.
Basic Maths includes topics from undergraduate and high school mathematics such as
algebra, geometry, trigonometry, coordinate geometry, linear algebra, calculus,
probability and statistics, and elementary discrete mathematics.

The programming part includes topics such as basic data structures, simple concepts
on algorithms, and a working knowledge of programming languages.

2 SERC - MSc Computational Science(CP) - MSc(Engg) [ common- data structure,

Probability, Linear Algebra, discrete math ]

data structure, Probability, Linear Algebra, discrete math

Computer Systems(CS) - MSc(Engg)

DS, linear algebra, probability, discrete math

3 CSA -MSc
Discrete Math, Linear algebra, Probability , Data structure and Algorithm,
Programming

Tip for IS interviews : Prepare Linear Algebra and Probability Theory hard. These
two are the subjects they will want candidates to be interviewed on. If you choose
DSA, make sure you know your randomized analysis well.
--------------------------
( Intelligent systems for CSA, Computational Science for SERC)
CSA :
Test : General questions, very easy and I doubt this was used to shortlist people.
Interview :
Background subjects chosen : DSA, Discrete Math
What's O(n) mean in words? Write it down.
How would you find where the sequence changes if there is an infinite stream of 0's
and then it switches to 1's.
What is a BST? What kind of balancing techniques exist? Show balancing for a RB-
Tree.
What is randomized quicksort? How will you analyze the probability that two
elements will be compared with each other?
Some misc logic/algorithms puzzles.

SERC :
Test : Five questions, one on PDE/ODE, one on C++, others I don't really remember
too well but must have been linear algebra (Eigenvalues), Probability and complex
numbers.
Interview: Questions on matrix multiplication with submatrices having some property
(All zero, all imaginary, all 1s etc.)
Questions on coursework, why switch from AE to CS etc.
General probability questions.
Interview: Questions on matrix multiplication with sub-matrices having some
property (All zero, all imaginary, all 1s etc.). Some more linear algebra questions
with different kinds of submatrices.

CSA was very simple questions, maybe 20-30 of them. We just had to answer them in
one or two lines. SERC had full length questions (involving one which was
calculating eigenvalues for a 3x3 matrix I think). Also, the topics for CSA were
general GATE syllabus, but SERC had more engineering math (ODEs and Complex
numbers), which I didn't have much idea about.
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My IISc interview MSc (CSA) in June 2015

Before interview there was written test. Though I don't remember it's contents now,
it was very easy for someone who have prepared seriously for GATE ! Had total 10
questions.

Interview experience for Intelligent systems (Selected, but did not score good
marks in interview, so was not in top 7, so no admission)
Tell about your selected subjects -> Discrete Maths, Data Structures & Algorithm
You need to select one subject from Probability & Linear Algebra, as you are
applying for intelligent systems => Okay. I am good in Discrete Probability. So
that one I am ready to answer.
Write a program to reverse a singly linked list
Tell us time complexity of the program
Asked about which fun is big Oh of which fun = f1 = n , f2 = loge en , here n was
some complicated function. Ans => Both are same, n = loge en both are big oh of
each other.
Asked about Binomial probability distribution
What is binomial probability distribution
Formulate it on the board -> I formulated it on the board. I stuck at some point,
was given hint & I got it.
Meaning of P(A|B) , Few questions on Conditional Probability
Independent events, derived formula for independent events on board= > P(A AND B) =
P(A) * P(B)
Ask about experience about Job & BE project, Job profile etc.
Interview lasted for about 45+ minutes (This happened 1 year ago & I forgot few
questions I think)
I thought it was success. I was even shortlisted at
http://www.csa.iisc.ernet.in/news/news-admissions.php (My id => 15104640) . Though
I was not ranked high enough (Due to I was not good in Continuous Probability &
Linear Algebra) . So I did not get final admission. (My rank was like 11th or 12th
& they had just 7 seats for MSc (Eng.) in CSA - IISc.
Points to take =>
If you are not good in Mathematics, Do not apply for intelligent systems area or
any mathematical area in IISc. Instead apply for Computer Systems area- like
Database, Operating Systems.
Do well research, remember if you apply for area like Machine Learning, AI, then
you must face questions on Linear Algebra or Continuous maths. Be prepared in at
least one of this topic. That is important .
Of course this interview did not end up the way I wanted with admission to IISc,
but finally I got courage to try again for GATE 2016! I did not get admission
interview call for any other institute apart from IISc CSA due to less than 70%
which is required for General category. I got call in IISc SERC, but I could not
qualify in Test round itself!