Hello, geeks! Iâm super excited to share my incredible journey through the thrilling rounds of TCS HackQuest Season 9 â from tackling challenging problems in Round 1 to upgrading my offer from Ninja to Prime. But before I dive into that, let me take you through my previous journey with TCS.
My TCS Journey
During my on-campus TCS NQT (National Qualifier Test) for priority institutions, I was selected for the Ninja role with an offer of 3.45 LPA. However, I was determined to upgrade my existing offer to the fullest.
One day, I received a message from my placement cell and an email from TCS inviting me to register for their HackQuest CTF (Capture The Flag) event. Although there wasnât much information available regarding the offer upgrade, my curiosity pushed me to register for the event using my existing CT/DT number.
About Round 1:
- Date: January 25th
- Duration: 6 hours to solve the challenges + 2 hours for the report
- Focus: Algorithmic problem-solving and data structures
In Round 1, we were given 6 hours to solve the challenges and 2 hours to prepare a report. The round included around 12â15 challenges, which appeared and disappeared at specific time intervals. I managed to solve 7 challenges and wrote my report clearly, detailing my approach to each problem and the keys/flags I discovered. However, due to time constraints, I could only complete the write-up for 6 challenges.
Tip: Start preparing your report as soon as you solve a challenge to avoid running into time issues, as the 2 hours allocated were specifically for the report.
On February 4th, I received an email from TCS inviting me to the TCS HackQuest Season 9 Proctored Round.
About Round 2:
- Date: February 8th
- Duration: 3 hours to solve challenges
- Focus: Similar to Round 1, with added complexity
Round 2 was similar to the first round, but this time, we were asked to join a Microsoft Teams meeting, where we were proctored with our webcams on and microphones unmuted when requested by the invigilator. We had 3 hours to solve challenges, and initially, there were 5 challenges, with 3â4 more added as the round progressed.
I successfully solved 5 challenges, including one that earned me nearly 600 points. As in Round 1, we were required to create a report of our solutions and submit it before the deadline, which I did without any issues.
On February 19th, I got a phone call from HR informing me that I had been shortlisted for the TCS Prime Interview (9 LPA). They also mentioned that I was eligible to upgrade my existing Ninja offer.
The interview was initially scheduled for February 21st, but I received an email stating that it was postponed to February 24th, along with the time slot and location details.Some of my friends were top performers and ranked in the top 10. They were also invited to the award ceremony held in Ahmedabad on February 28th were their entire expenses were borne by TCS.
The Interview Process
I arrived at the TCS office before the reporting time. They verified my documents, and I filled out an attendance form while waiting for my interview. Finally, I got my interview call around 4 PM, and it was conducted on Microsoft Teams, where all three interviewers : Technical, Managerial, and HR were present.
1. Technical
I was asked basic technical questions from the OWASP Top 10, as well as scenario-based questions related to both offensive and defensive security. I also asked basic questions about tools like Burp Suite and Wireshark.
2. Managerial
I was asked questions such as what is famous in my local city, my thoughts on relocation, my strengths and weaknesses, and what activities I do when I am free.
3. HR
I didnât get any specific questions in this round. The HR interviewer mentioned that I would get an upgrade if my performance was excellent, and the interview ended with him asking if I had any questions.
The Wait and Offer Upgrade
On March 5th, my friends from my university, who were fresh applicants, received emails asking them to send required documents. I was in a confused state because I hadnât received any email.
On March 10th, my friends even received their offer letters, and I was still in a state of confusion, hoping that I would eventually receive mine.
On March 12th, in the afternoon, I received a call from HR asking me to send my documents to a specific TCS email ID for verification. I checked with my friends, and it was the same email ID they sent their documents for verification.
That evening, I received an email from TCS stating, âCongratulations! You have received a revision in your offer.â I had been upgraded from Ninja to Prime (9 LPA).
Conclusion
For anyone looking to upgrade their offer from Ninja or Digital, I highly recommend participating in the HackQuest challenge, performing well, and leveraging it to upgrade your offer. Itâs an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and take your career with TCS to the next level.
Good luck to all aspiring hackers, and I hope my journey helps you on yours!
