Top Python Coding Round Questions with Answers for Freshers – Easy Guide 2025

Introduction

Are you a fresher gearing up for your first tech interview? If so, you may have noticed that Python is a favorite language for coding rounds. Its simple syntax and powerful libraries make it an excellent choice for solving complex problems quickly. Recruiters love Python because it allows them to assess a candidate's logical thinking without getting bogged down in complicated code.

This guide is here to help you navigate the world of Python coding round questions. We'll walk you through some of the most frequently asked questions and provide clear, step-by-step answers. Getting comfortable with these problems will boost your confidence and help you stand out. Let's dive in and get you ready to ace that interview!

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Common Python Coding Questions Asked in Interviews

When you're preparing for Python interview questions, you'll notice that most problems fall into a few key categories. Interviewers use these to test your fundamental programming skills.

Here are the common types of questions you should expect:

• String Manipulation: Problems that involve reversing, slicing, or analyzing strings.
• List and Array Operations: Questions that test your ability to work with lists, like finding specific elements or sorting them.
• Loops and Conditionals: Core logic problems that require using for, while, and if-else statements effectively.
• Functions: Writing clean, reusable functions to solve specific tasks.
• Basic Data Structures: Using dictionaries, tuples, and sets to store and manage data efficiently.

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Top Python Coding Questions with Answers

Here are five popular Python coding round questions with detailed solutions. Practice these to build a strong foundation.

Question 1: How to Reverse a String in Python?

A classic warm-up question. The task is to write a Python function that takes a string as input and returns its reverse. For example, "hello" should become "olleh".

Python

def reverse_string(s):
  # Use string slicing to reverse the string.
  # The slice [::-1] creates a reversed copy of the string.
  return s[::-1]

# --- Sample Usage ---
my_string = "Python"
reversed_str = reverse_string(my_string)
print(f"The original string is: {my_string}")
print(f"The reversed string is: {reversed_str}")
# Expected Output: nohtyP

This is the most Pythonic way to reverse a string. The slice [::-1] tells Python to start from the end of the string and move backward with a step of -1, effectively creating a reversed copy. It's clean, efficient, and a great trick to know for Python coding for freshers.

Question 2: Find the Second Largest Number in a List

This question tests your ability to handle lists and edge cases. You need to find the second-highest value in a list of numbers. For [10, 20, 4, 45, 99], the answer should be 45.

Python

def find_second_largest(numbers):
  # First, handle edge cases: list must have at least two unique numbers.
  # We convert the list to a set to get unique elements, then back to a list.
  unique_numbers = sorted(list(set(numbers)), reverse=True)
  
  # Check if there are at least two unique numbers
  if len(unique_numbers) < 2:
    return "Not enough unique numbers"
  else:
    # The second largest number will be at index 1 after sorting in descending order.
    return unique_numbers[1]

# --- Sample Usage ---
my_list = [10, 20, 4, 45, 99, 99]
second_largest = find_second_largest(my_list)
print(f"The list is: {my_list}")
print(f"The second largest number is: {second_largest}")
# Expected Output: 45

This solution is robust. First, we remove any duplicate numbers by converting the list to a set and back to a list. Then, we use sorted() to sort the unique numbers in descending order. The second largest number will always be at index 1.

Question 3: Check if a String is a Palindrome

A palindrome is a word that reads the same forwards and backward, like "madam" or "racecar". This problem requires you to check if a given string has this property.

Python

def is_palindrome(s):
  # Clean the string: convert to lowercase and remove non-alphanumeric characters.
  # This makes the comparison case-insensitive and ignores spaces/punctuation.
  cleaned_s = ''.join(char for char in s if char.isalnum()).lower()
  
  # Check if the cleaned string is equal to its reverse.
  return cleaned_s == cleaned_s[::-1]

# --- Sample Usage ---
word1 = "A man, a plan, a canal: Panama"
word2 = "Hello World"
print(f"'{word1}' is a palindrome: {is_palindrome(word1)}") # Expected: True
print(f"'{word2}' is a palindrome: {is_palindrome(word2)}") # Expected: False

The key here is to first "clean" the string by converting it to lowercase and removing spaces or punctuation. This ensures the comparison is fair. After cleaning, we use the same slicing trick [::-1] from our first question to check if the string equals its reverse.

Question 4: Count the Frequency of Each Character in a String

This is a common question to test your understanding of dictionaries. The goal is to count how many times each character appears in a string and store the result in a dictionary.

Python

def count_character_frequency(s):
  # Create an empty dictionary to store character counts.
  frequency = {}
  
  # Loop through each character in the string.
  for char in s:
    # If the character is already a key in the dictionary, increment its value.
    # Otherwise, add it to the dictionary with a value of 1.
    frequency[char] = frequency.get(char, 0) + 1
    
  return frequency

# --- Sample Usage ---
my_string = "hello world"
char_counts = count_character_frequency(my_string)
print(f"The character frequencies are: {char_counts}")
# Expected Output: {'h': 1, 'e': 1, 'l': 3, 'o': 2, ' ': 1, 'w': 1, 'r': 1, 'd': 1}

We initialize an empty dictionary. As we loop through the string, we use the get(key, default) method. frequency.get(char, 0) tries to get the current count of a character. If the character isn't in the dictionary yet, it defaults to 0, and then we add 1.

Question 5: Generate the Fibonacci Sequence

The Fibonacci sequence is a series where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, starting from 0 and 1. You'll be asked to generate the sequence up to a certain number of terms.

Python

def generate_fibonacci(n):
  # Handle the case for non-positive input.
  if n <= 0:
    return []
  # Handle the first two terms.
  elif n == 1:
    return [0]
    
  # Initialize the list with the first two Fibonacci numbers.
  sequence = [0, 1]
  
  # Generate the rest of the sequence up to n terms.
  # We need to loop n-2 times since we already have the first two numbers.
  while len(sequence) < n:
    next_fib = sequence[-1] + sequence[-2]
    sequence.append(next_fib)
    
  return sequence

# --- Sample Usage ---
num_terms = 10
fib_sequence = generate_fibonacci(num_terms)
print(f"The Fibonacci sequence with {num_terms} terms is: {fib_sequence}")
# Expected Output: [0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34]

We start with a list containing the first two numbers, [0, 1]. Then, we loop until our list reaches the desired length (n). In each iteration, we calculate the next number by adding the last two elements of the list (sequence[-1] and sequence[-2]) and append it.

Python Coding Interview Tips for Freshers

Knowing the answers is one thing, but performing well in the interview is another. Here are some crucial Python programming tips for your big day:

• Master the Basics: Before tackling complex problems, make sure your fundamentals are strong. Be comfortable with Python's syntax, data types, and standard library.
• Understand Before You Code: Take a moment to understand the problem fully. Ask clarifying questions if needed. It's better to think for two minutes and code for five than to code for ten minutes and realize you misunderstood.
• Think About Edge Cases: What if the input is an empty list? Or a string with only spaces? Considering these "edge cases" shows the interviewer you are a thorough programmer.
• Talk Through Your Logic: Explain your thought process to the interviewer as you code. This helps them understand how you approach problems, even if you don't find the perfect solution immediately.
• Practice, Practice, Practice: The more Python coding round questions you solve, the more confident you will become. Use online platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or GeeksforGeeks to practice regularly.
• Learn Basic Complexity Analysis: Have a basic understanding of Time and Space Complexity (Big O notation). Being able to briefly discuss the efficiency of your code is a huge plus.

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Conclusion

Cracking a technical interview is all about preparation and practice. The Python coding round questions covered in this guide are just the starting point. The more you practice, the better you'll get at recognizing patterns and applying the right logic.

Don't just read the solutions—open your code editor and try to solve them yourself. Experiment with different approaches and challenge yourself with new problems. Good luck with your preparation!

Found this guide helpful? Share it with friends who are also preparing for Python interviews! 

Also Read: 1. Java vs. JavaScript: What’s the Real Difference? 2. TCS Java Interview Guide for Freshers (2025)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to master advanced Python libraries for coding interviews?

No, you don't need advanced libraries like NumPy or Pandas for entry-level coding rounds. Focus on mastering Python basics like data types, loops, conditionals, functions, string manipulation, and basic data structures (lists, dictionaries, sets). Interviewers are more interested in your logical thinking than library usage.

What if I get stuck or forget the syntax during the interview?

It’s okay to forget minor syntax. Focus on explaining your logic clearly. You can say, "I might have a small syntax error here, but my logic is correct." Most interviewers care more about your problem-solving approach than exact syntax, especially in fresher interviews.

How many Python problems should I practice before the coding round?

There's no fixed number, but practicing around 50-100 beginner to intermediate-level problems should give you a good foundation. Make sure to cover various topics like strings, lists, loops, conditionals, functions, and basic algorithms.

Is it acceptable to write a brute-force solution if I can’t think of an optimized one?

Yes, absolutely! It’s better to write a working brute-force solution than leave the question unanswered. If time allows, mention or attempt optimization after submitting a correct solution. This shows problem-solving skills and a practical mindset.

Can I say "I don’t know" if I’m unsure about a Python concept?

Yes. Being honest is better than guessing. You can say, "I haven’t worked with that concept yet, but I’m eager to learn." This demonstrates integrity and a positive learning attitude, both of which are valued by interviewers.

Will I be tested on Python’s time and space complexity?

Basic understanding is expected. You should know common complexities like O(n), O(log n), and O(n²) for typical algorithms (loops, nested loops, sorting). You may not need deep analysis but be ready to discuss the efficiency of your approach.

Is Python allowed in coding rounds for all companies?

Most companies, especially service-based ones like TCS, Wipro, Infosys, and Cognizant, allow Python. However, always check the exam guidelines beforehand to be sure.