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Updated weekly · Last refresh Oct 17

SmartNews Software Engineer Interview Questions

The questions to prepare for a SmartNews Software Engineer interview. Questions from real interview reports rank first. Updated daily.

40questions
~6htotal time
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1
CodingStart here. 13 questions · ~113 min
Unique Characters FunctionEasy
Practice

Use a hash set to determine whether a Cvent event code contains only unique characters.

Hash TablesStringsSmartNews
Take-Home Assessment ApproachMedium

Evaluates practical problem-solving workflow and ability to deliver a complete solution.

coding challengeassessmentSmartNews
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2
System Design7 questions · ~61 min
System Design: Local News RecommendationHard

Evaluates end-to-end design for personalized recommendations and content delivery.

SmartNews
System Design: Social TimelineHard

Evaluates system design fundamentals for feed generation, ranking, and scalability.

timelinesocial mediaSmartNews
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3
Behavioral & Leadership16 questions · ~140 min
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4
More topics4 questions · ~35 min
Feed Schema and API DesignHard

Tests your end-to-end design skills for data modeling and API contracts supporting a high-scale feed.

JoinsData WranglingAggregationsSmartNews
Database Schema Design ConsiderationsMedium

Tests your ability to design schemas that support correctness, performance, and maintainability.

InfrastructureData ModelingQualitySmartNews
Microservices vs Monolith Trade-offsMedium

Tests architecture judgment around scalability, complexity, and operational overhead.

Trade-offsRisk AssessmentScope ManagementSmartNews
Optimize Database Query PerformanceMedium

Tests your query optimization approach and performance measurement skills.

JoinsData WranglingAggregationsSmartNews
Hands-on SQL practiceWrite and run real queries in the editor. 3 drills · ~30 min
Top 10 Engaged Users SQLMedium
Practice
Practice drill

Write a SQL query to find the top 10 most engaged users in the past month for SmartNews. Treat a user's engagement as the sum of engagementpoints from the...

Window FunctionsDate FunctionsJoinsSmartNews
7-Day Rolling Active UsersMedium
Practice
Practice drill

Compute daily active users and a 7-day rolling average using a CTE, distinct counts, and window functions.

Window FunctionsDate FunctionsRunning TotalsMetaSpotifyMeta IT
SQL Query for Top ProductsMedium
Practice
Practice drill

Rank Natural Intelligence products by completed revenue in the last completed quarter using joins, aggregation, and a date CTE.

sql queryperformance analysisNatural IntelligenceChewyFavor
The finish line: interview-readyComplete all 40 questions plus 3 hands-on drills to finish this plan.