Google’s Online Challenge -Generation Google Scholarship’21
Earlier, the WTM scholarship has only two rounds i.e. Essay round and Interview round. But, in order to analyze and evaluate the candidates in a better way, they introduced Online Challenges for all the participants, starting from the session 2020–21.
Last year, candidates were required to attempt an online challenge in order to be eligible for the Interview round. The challenge was in MCQ format with questions ranging from basic programming questions, debugging, predicting output and some other technical questions in C/C++. The total time allotted for this challenge was 30 minutes, with no negative marking.
However this year, there were two mini-challenges, contrary to the previous year. The first challenge was based on General Cognitive Ability, while the other one was based on basic programming questions in C/C++ including some logical questions on Data Structures.
In order to attempt the challenge, we received a passkey with credentials in our mail, a day before the challenge, with all the necessary information, FAQs and some sample questions for our practice as well.
More about the Online Challenges -
As mentioned in the mail, the two challenges were entirely different in nature. One was supposed to test our IQ and logical reasoning while the other one was there to test our technical knowledge.
Mini Challenge #1: General Cognitive Ability (GCA) — This challenge is common for all candidates irrespective of your specialization and will consist of logical reasoning and problem-solving questions in multiple-choice format. For this, we recommend practicing problem-solving questions (data sufficiency, data interpretation and basic mathematical problem solving).
Mini Challenge #2: Role Related Knowledge (RRK) — This challenge will be based on your knowledge of computer science fundamentals such as C Programming | C++ | Data Structures and Algorithms | Computer Fundamentals. For this, we recommend brushing up on the computer science fundamentals of the topics mentioned above.
How to prepare for the Challenges -
For Reasoning Questions -
- Numerical reasoning questions test your ability to understand, analyze and apply numerical and statistical data. You’ll need to calculate percentages, fill out missing data or work out the next element in a series.
- Verbal reasoning questions test your ability to understand written information and use critical analysis. Classic questions will require you to read a passage then state whether statements about the passage are ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘cannot say’.
- Abstract reasoning questions test your ability to work with abstract ideas and concepts. Questions often include visual diagrams, which you must use to identify missing information or complete a sequence.
- Spatial awareness questions test your ability to work with patterns and shapes. Common questions include mentally rearranging shapes to make new ones, or visualizing patterns and images when they are rotated or flipped.
- Miscellaneous -It consists of questions based on basic probability, data interpretation and logical reasoning, reading comprehension, graphs and pie-chart-based questions and number patterns (series, permutations, alphabets), etc.
Here are a few resources which you can refer -
For Programming Questions -
The questions were straightforward and their level generally lies between easy to medium. If your basic concepts are clear, then you can easily solve 70–80% of the paper easily.
The topics which you should focus on while preparation-
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Time Complexity
- Object-Oriented Programming
- DataBase Management System
- Operating System
- Computer Networking
Try practicing questions based on predicting the output, debugging and error analysis. The questions revolving around Pointers, Strings, Classes are quite common, so practice them as much as you can.
Some resources you can refer -
Some tips and tricks for the test-
Some tips to keep in mind to ace the tests-
- Try to keep yourself calm and stress-free before the test.
- Go through all the questions(skim) and answer all the simple questions first. Then you can go to all the time-taking questions and try to solve them as much as time permits. In the last 2-3 minutes, mark all the unanswered questions on an elimination basis.
- Keep a track of time. Don’t give any question too much time.
- For reasoning questions, analyze the graphs and all the given information carefully.
- There is no negative marking for wrong answers.
- Try to revise the concepts of data structures and standard algorithms.
- Keep a pen and paper handy in case you need it to solve tricky questions.
- Don’t panic. You can do it.
I’ve tried to mention everything in as much detail as possible. If you wish to know more, then feel free to connect with me on any of the social media platforms(you can check my bio for more details), or if you have any questions, drop me a mail on saloniankitaa@gmail.com and I’ll try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Till then, Keep Learning, Keep Hustling! ✨
