Navigating TCS Ninja: Personal Insights and Exam Strategies

Are you aspiring to embark on a career journey with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)? The journey begins with clearing TCS Ninja, an online examination process that filters a large pool of candidates for various levels of IT jobs. In this article, we will explore my personal experience with TCS Ninja, along with detailed insights into the various sections and strategies to ace the examination.

My TCS Ninja Journey

I had my first encounter with TCS Ninja last year, and it was an insightful experience. The examination took place at an ION centre far from my residence. The TCS Ninja exam consists of four main sections: English, Quantitative Aptitude, Programming Concepts, and Coding. The English and Quant sections were relatively straightforward, while the Programming Concepts and Coding sections posed more of a challenge. Let's delve deeper into each section.

English Section

The English section of TCS Ninja was structured into 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) embedded in a paragraph. Given the simplicity and clarity of the questions, I was able to confidently attempt all 10 questions. With an accuracy of 100%, I managed to secure a good score in this section.

Quantitative Aptitude Section

The Quantitative Aptitude (Quant) section was divided into two parts: Standard and Advanced. The Standard questions were fairly easy, while the Advanced questions were more difficult. For success in this section, thorough practice is essential. Familiarize yourself with various types of problems, including Sentence Corrections, Verb Forms, and Reading Comprehensions. With diligent practice, you can navigate this section with ease.

Programming Concepts Section

The Programming Concepts section was a bit challenging for me, as I am not from a Computer Science or Information Technology background. The questions were based on fundamental data structures and algorithms such as sorting, BFS (Breadth-First Search), DFS (Depth-First Search), Hashing, Linked Lists, and more. This section requires a solid understanding of basic programming concepts to excel.

Coding Section

The Coding section is perhaps the most challenging part of the TCS Ninja exam. The problem I faced was not the complexity of the question, but the limiting factors of the coding environment. Despite months of practice on platforms like HackerRank, I found myself struggling to solve even a simple problem due to the subpar coding environment. Lack of an output screen, missing functionality such as typecasting, and other basic elements made the experience frustrating. Time management was also a critical factor here, as the available time of 20 minutes was barely sufficient to solve a single problem.

What to Expect in the Interview Process

After clearing the written exam, the next step is an interview process. In my experience, the interview questions often revolve around problem-solving, technical skills, and sometimes situational or behavioral questions. For more detailed insights into the interview questions and the process, you can refer to Thanvi Rs's account on popular forums such as Beeswas TCS.
Good luck with your TCS Ninja exam!