In the first round, candidates usually go through an aptitude and technical screening. This is designed to test the basic skills required for an analyst role. The aptitude section may include questions on mathematics, statistics, logical reasoning, and data interpretation. Candidates might also face a short test on Excel, SQL, or even basic Python or R, depending on the tools the company uses. Sometimes a small dataset is given, and the candidate is asked to clean it, analyze it, or find simple insights. This round is often online and takes about one to two hours. The main aim here is to check whether the candidate has the fundamental problem-solving and technical skills to move ahead.
The second round is usually more detailed and practical. It often starts with a discussion of the candidate’s past projects, coursework, or any data analysis tasks they have done. The interviewer may then give a small case study, such as analyzing a drop in sales or identifying trends in customer data. The candidate is expected to explain how they would approach the problem, what data they would need, and what methods they would apply. Technical questions on SQL queries, data cleaning, statistics, or visualization may also come up. In addition, this round includes behavioral questions to understand the candidate’s communication skills, teamwork, and willingness to learn. This round usually lasts 45 to 90 minutes and can be in-person or virtual.
Overall, the two rounds focus on checking the candidate’s analytical thinking, technical knowledge, and ability to explain insights clearly. Since it is an internship role, the company does not expect deep expertise but looks for strong basics, problem-solving skills, and a learning mindset. Candidates who show clarity of thought, comfort with data tools, and good communication are likely to move forward.
