I am a 4th-year student at IIT Roorkee, and I recently secured a Data Science role at American Express through the on-campus placement process. Here’s a detailed overview of the placement process, including my test and interview experiences.
About the Role
- Positions Offered: Software, Data Science, and Product Development roles (focused on Data Science).
- Eligibility: Open to all branches, with no CGPA criteria.
- CTC Offered:
- UG: ₹23.4 LPA
- PG: ₹24 LPA
Placement Process
Step 1: Resume-Based Shortlisting
Although resume shortlisting was part of the process, all applicants were allowed to proceed to the online test.
Step 2: Online Test
- Platform: Unstop
- Sections (MCQ format):
- Numerical Ability: 24 questions
- Logical Reasoning/Data Interpretation: 24 questions
- Coding: 12 questions
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Medium
Interestingly, 4–5 questions in my test matched questions from a PDF document I had referenced, shared by students from another IIT.
Link: Test Questions Reference
Step 3: Interview Process
The interview consisted of two rounds, blending technical and HR discussions:
Round 1: Technical + HR Interview
- Introduction: A brief self-introduction to start the conversation.
- Resume Discussion:
- I was asked to describe all my projects.
- During one project discussion, the interviewer asked about my unique contributions. I admitted that the project was more of a learning experience than a significant contribution. The interviewer appreciated my honesty and moved on.
- SQL Query: I analyzed two SQL tables and made inferences based on the data provided.
- Guesstimate Question: I was asked to estimate how many 1 kg packets of Bikaneri Bhujiya are sold in a year.
- Company Knowledge: The interviewer quizzed me about my understanding of American Express.
Round 2: Technical + HR Interview
- Two Important Things: The interviewer asked me to share two key points from my resume or life. I mentioned a project and an internship.
- Follow-up: I explained that these experiences involved solving real-world problems, and I had included them because they were meaningful to me.
- Guesstimate Question:
- The task was to estimate the weight of the International Space Station.
- Although I presented a detailed breakdown, the interviewer stopped me midway—possibly satisfied with my problem-solving approach or deeming it unnecessary to continue.
- Puzzle Question:
- The puzzle involved 10 boxes of balls, where one box contained balls weighing 20 gm each, and the rest had balls weighing 10 gm each. The task was to determine the box with 20 gm balls using the minimum number of weighings.
- While I couldn’t solve it exactly, I presented three different approaches, which the interviewer appreciated.
Key Takeaways
- Honesty Matters: Acknowledging gaps in your contributions can leave a positive impression if communicated sincerely.
- Structured Problem-Solving: Even if you don’t arrive at the correct solution, demonstrating your thought process can work in your favor.
- Preparation is Key: Referencing shared resources like the test question document helped me tackle similar problems during the test.
Final Thoughts
Securing a Data Science role at American Express was a significant milestone in my academic journey. The process was rigorous but rewarding, testing both my technical and analytical abilities. This experience reinforced the importance of preparation, adaptability, and clear communication in achieving success.
