CRACKING

THE DATA ANALYST

INTERVIEW
QUESTIONS WITH FREE RESUME TEMPLATE

Expert strategies and practice questions for success in technical interviews

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

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3 GENERAL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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10 EXCEL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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14 POWER BI DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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18 TABLEAU DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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21 PYTHON DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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25 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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 DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1

What are the responsibilities of a Data Analyst?

Some of the responsibilities of a data analyst include:
Collects and analyzes data using statistical techniques
Interpret and analyze trends or patterns in complex data sets.
Establishing business needs together with business teams or
management teams.
Find opportunities for improvement in existing processes or
areas.
Data set commissioning and decommissioning.
Follow guidelines when processing confidential data or
information.
Provide end-users with training on new reports and dashboards.
Assist in the data storage structure, data mining, and data
cleansing.
QUESTION 2

What is the data analysis process?

Data analysis generally refers to the process of assembling,
cleaning, interpreting, transforming, and modeling data to gain
insights or conclusions and generate reports to help businesses
become more profitable. The process of data analysis is as follows;
Collect Data: The data is collected from a variety of sources and
is then stored to be cleaned and prepared. This step involves
removing all missing values and outliers.
Analyse Data: As soon as the data is prepared, the next step is to
analyze it. Improvements are made by running a model
repeatedly. Following that, the model is validated to ensure that
it is meeting the requirements.
Create Reports: In the end, the model is implemented, and
reports are generated as well as distributed to stakeholders.

QUESTION 3

Explain data cleansing.

Data cleaning, also known as data cleansing or wrangling, is
basically a process of identifying and then modifying, replacing, or
deleting the incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, irrelevant, or missing
portions of the data as the need arises. This fundamental element of
data science ensures data is correct, consistent, and usable.

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QUESTION 4

What are the tools useful for data analysis?

Some of the tools useful for data analysis include:
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Power BI
Tableau
Python
R Programme e.t.c

QUESTION 5

Difference between data mining and data profiling.

Data mining Process: It generally involves analyzing data to find

relations that were not previously discovered. In this case, the
emphasis is on finding unusual records, detecting dependencies,
and analyzing clusters. It also involves analyzing large datasets to
determine trends and patterns in them.
Data Profiling Process: It generally involves analyzing the data's
individual attributes. In this case, the emphasis is on providing
useful information on data attributes such as data type, frequency,
etc. Additionally, it also facilitates the discovery and evaluation of
enterprise metadata.

QUESTION 6

Explain Outlier.
In a dataset, Outliers are values that differ significantly from the
mean of characteristic features of a dataset. With the help of an
outlier, we can determine either variability in the measurement or
an experimental error. There are two kinds of outliers i.e., Univariate
and Multivariate.

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QUESTION 7

What are the ways to detect outliers? Explain different

ways to deal with it.
Outliers are detected using two methods:
Box Plot Method: According to this method, the value is
considered an outlier if it exceeds or falls below 1.5*IQR
(interquartile range), that is if it lies above the top quartile (Q3)
or below the bottom quartile (Q1).

Standard Deviation Method: According to this method, an outlier is

defined as a value that is greater or lower than the mean ±
(3*standard deviation).

QUESTION 8

Difference between data analysis and data mining.

Data Analysis: It generally involves extracting, cleansing,
transforming, modeling, and visualizing data in order to obtain
useful and important information that may contribute towards
determining conclusions and deciding what to do next. Analyzing
data has been in use since the 1960s.
Data Mining: In data mining, also known as knowledge discovery in
the database, huge quantities of knowledge are explored and
analyzed to find patterns and rules. Since the 1990s, it has been a
buzzword.

QUESTION 9

What is KNN imputation method.

A KNN (K-nearest neighbor) model is usually considered one of the
most common techniques for imputation. It allows a point in
multidimensional space to be matched with its closest k neighbors.
By using the distance function, two attribute values are compared.
Using this approach, the closest attribute values to the missing
values are used to impute these missing values.

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QUESTION 10

What are the different challenges one faces during data

analysis?

While analyzing data, a Data Analyst can encounter the following

issues:
Duplicate entries and spelling errors. Data quality can be
hampered and reduced by these errors.
The representation of data obtained from multiple sources may
differ. It may cause a delay in the analysis process if the
collected data are combined after being cleaned and organized.
Another major challenge in data analysis is incomplete data. This
would invariably lead to errors or faulty results.
You would have to spend a lot of time cleaning the data if you
are extracting data from a poor source.
Business stakeholders' unrealistic timelines and expectations
Data blending/ integration from multiple sources is a challenge,
particularly if there are no consistent parameters and
conventions
Insufficient data architecture and tools to achieve the analytics
goals on time.

QUESTION 11

Explain Normal Distribution.

Known as the bell curve or the Gauss distribution, the Normal
Distribution plays a key role in statistics and is the basis of Machine
Learning. It generally defines and measures how the values of a
variable differ in their means and standard deviations, that is, how
their values are distributed.

Known as the bell curve or the Gauss distribution, the Normal

Distribution plays a key role in statistics and is the basis of Machine
Learning. It generally defines and measures how the values of a
variable differ in their means and standard deviations, that is, how
their values are distributed.

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QUESTION 12

What do you mean by data visualization?

The term data visualization refers to a graphical representation of
information and data. Data visualization tools enable users to easily
see and understand trends, outliers, and patterns in data through
the use of visual elements like charts, graphs, and maps. Data can
be viewed and analyzed in a smarter way, and it can be converted
into diagrams and charts with the use of this technology
QUESTION 13

How does data visualization help you?

Data visualization has grown rapidly in popularity due to its ease of
viewing and understanding complex data in the form of charts and
graphs. In addition to providing data in a format that is easier to
understand, it highlights trends and outliers. The best visualizations
illuminate meaningful information while removing noise from data.

QUESTION 14

Write disadvantages of Data analysis.

The following are some disadvantages of data analysis:
Data Analytics may put customer privacy at risk and result in
compromising transactions, purchases, and subscriptions.
Tools can be complex and require previous training.
Choosing the right analytics tool every time requires a lot of
skills and expertise.
It is possible to misuse the information obtained with data
analytics by targeting people with certain political beliefs or
ethnicities.
QUESTION 15

What do you mean by Time Series Analysis? Where is it

used?
In the field of Time Series Analysis (TSA), a sequence of data points
is analyzed over an interval of time. Instead of just recording the
data points intermittently or randomly, analysts record data points
at regular intervals over a period of time in the TSA. It can be done
in two different ways: in the frequency and time domains. As TSA
has a broad scope of application, it can be used in a variety of
fields. TSA plays a vital role in Statistics, Signal processing,
Econometrics, Weather forecasting, Earthquake prediction,
Astronomy, Applied science

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QUESTION 16

Can you explain the concept of data normalization and

why it is used in data analysis?
Data normalization is the process of scaling data to a common
range, typically between 0 and 1. It is used to ensure that different
variables with varying scales can be compared and analyzed
together without one variable dominating the analysis.
Normalization helps in reducing bias and making data more
interpretable.
QUESTION 17
What is the difference between structured and
unstructured data, and how does this difference impact
data analysis?
Structured data is well-organized and typically found in databases,
spreadsheets, and tables. Unstructured data, on the other hand,
lacks a predefined structure and can include text, images, audio,
and video. Structured data is easier to analyze, while unstructured
data requires advanced techniques like natural language processing
and image recognition, making it more challenging to work with.
QUESTION 18
What is the ETL process, and why is it essential in data
analysis?
ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load. It is a critical process in
data analysis where data is extracted from various sources,
transformed to fit the desired format and structure, and then
loaded into a data repository for analysis. ETL ensures data quality,
consistency, and accessibility, making it suitable for analysis.
QUESTION 19

How can data analysis assist businesses in making

informed decisions and improving their operations? Can
you provide an example?
Data analysis empowers businesses by revealing patterns and
trends in their data. For example, a retail company can use sales
data analysis to identify which products are selling well and in
which regions. This information can help optimize inventory
management, marketing strategies, and product offerings to
increase profitability. Data analysis enables data-driven decision-
making and continuous improvement.

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QUESTION 20

What do you mean by univariate, bivariate, and

multivariate analysis?
Univariate Analysis: The word uni means only one and variate
means variable, so a univariate analysis has only one dependable
variable. Among the three analyses, this is the simplest as the
variables involved are only one.
Bivariate Analysis: The word Bi means two and variate mean
variables, so a bivariate analysis has two variables. It examines
the causes of the two variables and the relationship between
them. It is possible that these variables are. dependent on or
independent of each other.
Multivariate Analysis: In situations where more than two
variables are to be analyzed simultaneously, multivariate
analysis is necessary. It is similar to bivariate analysis, except
that there are more variables involved.

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 MICROSOFT EXCEL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
What do you mean by Relative cell referencing and
Absolute cell referencing in MS Excel?
Relative cell referencing in Excel means that when you copy a
formula to another cell, the cell references within the formula
adjust relative to the new location.
Absolute cell referencing means that the cell references within a
formula do not change when you copy the formula to another
cell. They remain fixed to specific cells.
Relative referencing uses no special symbols. Absolute
referencing uses a dollar sign ($) before the column and row
identifiers (e.g., $A$1).
QUESTION 2
Excel Function vs. Formula: What Is the Difference?
A formula is a written instruction for a calculation in Excel. All
calculations within a spreadsheet will be written as formulas
(e.g. =C3+C4+C5+C7+C8).
Functions are prewritten formulas and a feature of Excel. The
software has over 500 built-in functions that allow users to
achieve complicated calculations without having to create the
formula themselves or type it out in full.

QUESTION 3
What is the difference between COUNT, COUNTA, and
COUNTBLANK?
COUNT: Counts the number of cells containing numerical values
in a range.
COUNTA: Counts the number of non-empty cells in a range,
including both numerical and text values.
COUNTBLANK: Counts the number of empty cells in a range.

QUESTION 4
How do you remove duplicates in Excel?
To remove duplicates in Excel:
1. Select the range of data.
2. Go to the "Data" tab.
3. Click on "Remove Duplicates."
4. Choose the columns to check for duplicates.
5. Click "OK."

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 MICROSOFT EXCEL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 5
What is the purpose of the CONCATENATE function in
Excel?
The CONCATENATE function in Excel is used to combine
(concatenate) multiple text strings into one.
QUESTION 6
Explain the VLOOKUP function and its usage.
VLOOKUP is an Excel function used to search for a specific value in
a table and return a corresponding value from the same row. It's
commonly used for data analysis and allows data analysts to quickly
find and extract information from large datasets.
To perform a VLOOKUP in Excel:
1. Select a cell where you want the result to appear.
2. Use the formula: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array,
col_index_num, [range_lookup]).
lookup_value: The value you want to find.
table_array: The range where you want to search.
col_index_num: The column number from which to return a
value.
[range_lookup]: Set to `TRUE` for an approximate match or
FALSE for an exact match.
3. Press Enter to get the result.
For example: =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:C10, 2, FALSE) searches for the
value in cell A2 in the range B2:C10 and returns the corresponding
value from the second column.
QUESTION 7

How do you split text from one cell into multiple cells
using a delimiter?
To split text from one cell into multiple cells using a delimiter, you
can use the "Text to Columns" feature in Excel.
QUESTION 8
What is the purpose of the COUNTIF and SUMIF
functions?
COUNTIF: Counts the number of cells in a range that meet a
specified condition.
SUMIF: Adds the values in a range that meet a specified
condition.

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 MICROSOFT EXCEL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 9
How can you create a pivot table in Excel, and why is it
useful?
To create a pivot table in Excel, select the data range, go to the
"Insert" tab, and choose "PivotTable." A pivot table is useful for
summarising and analysing large datasets, allowing data analysts to
quickly generate insights by summarising and visualising data in a
structured format.
QUESTION 10
How do you create a bar chart in Excel?
To create a bar chart in Excel:
1. Select the data you want to represent.
2. Go to the "Insert" tab.
3. Choose "Bar Chart" from the chart options.
4. Select the specific bar chart type (e.g., clustered or stacked).

QUESTION 11
Explain the difference between filtering and sorting in
Excel.
Filtering in Excel involves displaying a subset of data that meets
specific criteria, hiding the rest. Sorting, on the other hand,
arranges data in a specific order (e.g., alphabetical or numerical)
without hiding any data.
QUESTION 12

What is conditional formatting, and how can it be used

for data visualisation?
Conditional formatting is a data visualization technique that applies
specific formatting rules to data based on user-defined conditions.
It's used to highlight trends, patterns, and anomalies in data,
making it easier for data analysts to identify key insights at a glance.

QUESTION 13
Explain the concept of data validation in Excel.
Data validation in Excel refers to the process of defining rules and
restrictions for cell entries. It ensures that data entered meets
specific criteria, such as numeric values within a range or selecting
from a predefined list, enhancing data accuracy and integrity.

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 MICROSOFT EXCEL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 14
What is the INDEX-MATCH function combination, and
when is it useful?
The INDEX-MATCH function combination is used in Excel to search
for and retrieve specific data from a table. It's useful when you
need to perform more flexible and powerful lookups than what
VLOOKUP or HLOOKUP can provide.
QUESTION 15
What is the purpose of the Text-to-Columns feature in
Excel?
The purpose of the Text-to-Columns feature in Excel is to split and
separate text in a single cell into multiple columns based on a
delimiter, such as a comma or space.

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 MICROSOFT POWER BI DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
What are data sources supported by Power BI?
Power BI supports various data sources, including:
1. Excel files
2. SQL databases
3. SharePoint
4. Web services
5. Cloud-based sources (Azure, AWS)
6. On-premises data (using a gateway)
7. Many other connectors and APIs.

QUESTION 2
Explain the concept of data modelling in Power BI?
Data modeling in Power BI involves shaping and transforming data
to create a structured model for analysis and visualization. It
includes defining relationships between tables, creating calculated
columns, and measures to facilitate meaningful insights.
QUESTION 3
What are calculated columns and measures in Power BI,
and when would you use them?
Calculated Columns: Calculated columns are columns added to a
table in Power BI, and their values are computed row by row
based on a DAX formula. They are used for creating new data
based on existing data.
Measures: Measures are calculations performed on data at a
visual, aggregate level. They are used for aggregations,
summaries, and calculations like totals, averages, or ratios in
Power BI visuals.
Use Calculated Columns for row-level computations and
Measures for aggregations and summaries in Power BI.
QUESTION 4
How do you create a relationship between tables in
Power BI?
In Power BI, you create a relationship between tables by defining a
common field as the relationship key in both tables.

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 MICROSOFT POWER BI DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 5
What is the DAX language, and how is it used in Power
BI?
DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) is a formula language used in Power
BI to create custom calculations and expressions for data analysis,
including measures, calculated columns, and calculated tables. It
helps data analysts perform calculations and aggregations on data
within Power BI reports and dashboards.

QUESTION 6
Explain the difference between a slicer and a filter in
Power BI.
In Power BI, a slicer is a visual element that allows users to
interactively filter data within a report, while a filter is a static
condition applied to data, typically set by the report designer.
Slicers enable dynamic filtering, whereas filters are predefined and
do not change based on user interaction.
QUESTION 7
What is the importance of data cleansing and
transformation in Power BI?
Data cleansing and transformation in Power BI are crucial for
ensuring data accuracy and consistency, ultimately enabling more
reliable and meaningful insights.

QUESTION 8
How can you implement row-level security in Power BI?
Row-level security in Power BI can be implemented by defining
security roles with DAX expressions in Power BI Desktop, restricting
data access based on user attributes, such as username or role.

Click HERE for an article on creating row-level security.

QUESTION 9
What is the role of the Query Editor in Power BI?
The Query Editor in Power BI is used to transform, clean, and shape
data from various sources before loading it into a data model. It
helps data analysts prepare and manipulate data for analysis.

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QUESTION 10
What is Power Query, and how does it help in data
transformation?
Power Query is a data transformation tool in Microsoft Excel and
Power BI. It helps data analysts clean, reshape, and combine data
from various sources for analysis through a user-friendly interface.

QUESTION 11
How can you handle date and time data in Power BI
effectively?
In Power BI, you can handle date and time data effectively by using
date tables, creating calculated columns and measures, and
leveraging built-in time intelligence functions for various time-
based analyses.

QUESTION 12
Explain the concept of drill-through in Power BI.
Drill-through in Power BI allows users to navigate from a
summarized report to a more detailed report by clicking on a
specific data point. It helps analysts explore underlying data for
insights.

QUESTION 13
What is the purpose of bookmarks in Power BI?
Bookmarks in Power BI allow users to save and recall specific views,
selections, and interactions within a report.

QUESTION 14
Can you describe the difference between DirectQuery
and Import modes in Power BI?
DirectQuery:In this mode, data remains in the source, and
queries are sent to the source system in real time. It's suitable
for large datasets but may have slower performance.
Import: In this mode, data is loaded into Power BI's internal data
model. It's suitable for faster analysis but may not be ideal for
very large datasets.

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QUESTION 15
How can you optimize the performance of a Power BI
report?
Optimize Power BI report performance by:
1. Reducing unnecessary visuals.
2. Using summarized data.
3. Applying filters selectively.
4. Using query folding.
5. Reducing custom visuals.
6. Minimizing DAX complexity.
7. Proper data modeling.
8. Using DirectQuery mode.
9. Optimizing visuals' interactions.

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 TABLEAU DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
How can you improve the performance of a Tableau
dashboard with a large dataset?
To improve the performance of a Tableau dashboard with a large
dataset:
1. Data Extraction: Use data extracts (TDE) to optimize query speed.
2. Data Source Filters: Apply filters at the data source level to
reduce the data loaded.
3. Aggregation: Aggregate data where possible to reduce granularity.
4. Limit Visualizations: Limit the number of visualizations on the
dashboard.
5. Optimize Calculations: Simplify complex calculations.
6. Dashboard Layout: Optimize layout and use actions for
interactivity.
7. Server Performance: Ensure the Tableau server has enough
resources.
QUESTION 2
What are the primary data sources that Tableau can
connect to?
Tableau can connect to a wide range of primary data sources,
including databases like SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle, and cloud
platforms like AWS, as well as data in spreadsheets, web data
connectors, and more.

QUESTION 3
What is the difference between a live connection and
an extract in Tableau?
A live connection in Tableau queries the data source in real-time,
while an extract is a static snapshot of the data stored locally for
faster performance.

QUESTION 4
How do you create a calculated field in Tableau?
To create a calculated field in Tableau:
1. Right-click in the "Data" pane.
2. Select "Create Calculated Field."
3. Enter the calculation using Tableau's formula syntax.
4. Click "OK" to create the calculated field.

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 TABLEAU DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 5
Explain the concept of sorting in Tableau.
Sorting in Tableau refers to arranging data in a specific order, either
ascending (A to Z, 0 to 9) or descending (Z to A, 9 to 0), based on
one or more dimensions or measures. Sorting helps data analysts
present information in a more organized and meaningful way for
effective data visualization.

QUESTION 6
What is a quick filter in Tableau, and how does it work?
A quick filter in Tableau is a user-friendly filtering option that
allows viewers of a Tableau dashboard to easily change the data
displayed by selecting values from a list. It works by dynamically
filtering the visualizations based on the user's selections without
the need for extensive configuration or setup.
QUESTION 7
What is the difference between a table calculation and
an LOD (Level of Detail) expression in Tableau?
What is the difference between a table calculation and an LOD
(Level of Detail) expression in Tableau?
QUESTION 8
What is the purpose of the Tableau Data Engine?
The Tableau Data Engine is used for in-memory data processing and
acceleration of queries, allowing for faster data retrieval and
visualization in Tableau.

QUESTION 9
Describe the process of blending data in Tableau.
Blending data in Tableau involves combining data from different
sources by matching common fields, allowing for analysis and
visualization of integrated data.

QUESTION 10
How can you join data from multiple data sources in
Tableau?
In Tableau, you can join data from multiple data sources using the
"Data Source" tab and the drag-and-drop interface to define
relationships between tables.
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QUESTION 11
What is the difference between a discrete and a
continuous field in Tableau?
In Tableau, a discrete field contains distinct, separate values, often
used for categorical data, while a continuous field contains a range
of values and is typically used for numerical data.
QUESTION 12
How do you create a calculated field in Tableau?
To create a calculated field in Tableau, you can right-click on a
blank space in the Data pane, then select "Create Calculated Field."
Enter the calculation formula and give it a name.

QUESTION 13
What is a dimension and a measure in Tableau, and how
are they different?
In Tableau, a "dimension" is a categorical or qualitative field used
for grouping and segmenting data, while a "measure" is a
quantitative field used for numerical calculations and aggregations.
Dimensions are discrete, while measures are continuous.

QUESTION 14
Can you explain the concept of "Marks" in Tableau?
In Tableau, "Marks" refer to the individual data points or visual
elements (e.g., bars, points, labels) displayed on a visualization.
They represent the level of detail in the view and can be customized
to convey specific information in the data visualization.

QUESTION 15
Explain the difference between a worksheet and a
dashboard in Tableau.
A worksheet in Tableau is a single view or visualization, while a
dashboard is a collection of multiple worksheets and objects
combined on a single page for a consolidated view.

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 PYTHON DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
How do you read and write data to/from various file
formats (e.g., CSV, Excel) in Python?
To read and write data in Python:
1. Use `pandas.read_csv('file.csv')` to read data from a CSV file.
2. Use `df.to_csv('file.csv', index=False)` to write data to a CSV file.
3. Use `pandas.read_excel('file.xlsx')` to read data from an Excel file.
4. Use `df.to_excel('file.xlsx', index=False)` to write data to an Excel
file.
QUESTION 2
Explain the concept of correlation and how it is
calculated.
Correlation measures the statistical relationship between two
variables. It is calculated using a correlation coefficient, often
Pearson's correlation coefficient (r), which ranges from -1 to 1. A
positive value indicates a positive correlation, while a negative
value indicates a negative correlation. The closer the coefficient is
to 1 or -1, the stronger the correlation, while values near 0 suggest
little to no correlation.

QUESTION 3
What are the differences between the .loc and .iloc
methods in Pandas, and when would you use each of
them?
The main differences between the .loc and .iloc methods in Pandas
are:
.loc uses label-based indexing, while .iloc uses integer-based
indexing.
.loc includes the end index, while .iloc excludes it.
Use .loc when you want to select data by label and use `.iloc` when
you want to select data by integer position.
QUESTION 4
Explain the use of the apply function in Pandas and
provide an example of when it might be helpful.
The apply function in Pandas is used to apply a given function to
each element or row of a data frame or Series. It is helpful for
custom data transformations. For example, you can apply to
calculate the square root of each element in a DataFrame column.

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QUESTION 5
What is the purpose of the matplotlib library in Python,
and how can it be used in data analysis and
visualisation?
The purpose of the Matplotlib library in Python is to create data
visualizations, including charts, graphs, and plots. Data analysts use
Matplotlib to visually represent and analyze data, making it easier
to understand and communicate insights from datasets.
QUESTION 6
Describe the purpose of the `merge` and `join` functions
in Pandas.
The purpose of the `merge` and `join` functions in Pandas is to
combine data from different DataFrames based on common
columns, allowing data analysts to perform operations like data
aggregation and consolidation.

QUESTION 7
What is a pivot table, and how is it created using
Pandas?
A pivot table is a data summarization tool in Pandas. It's created
using the pivot_table() function, specifying the index, columns, and
values to aggregate.

QUESTION 8
What is the difference between a DataFrame and a
Series in Pandas?
A DataFrame is a 2-dimensional, tabular data structure in pandas
that can store data of different data types in rows and columns. A
Series is a 1-dimensional data structure representing a single
column or row of data in a DataFrame.
QUESTION 9
What is the purpose of the `groupby` function in
Pandas?
The groupby function in Pandas is used to group and aggregate data
based on one or more columns, allowing for summary statistics,
data transformations, and analysis by specific categories or criteria.

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 PYTHON DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 5
How would you handle missing data in a dataset using
Python?
You can handle missing data in Python using the Pandas library by
either dropping the missing values using dropna() or filling them
with a specific value using fillna().

QUESTION 6
Describe the purpose of the `merge` and `join` functions
in Pandas.
The purpose of the `merge` and `join` functions in Pandas is to
combine data from different DataFrames based on common
columns, allowing data analysts to perform operations like data
aggregation and consolidation.

QUESTION 7
How do you treat outliers in a dataset?
An outlier is a data point that is distant from other similar points.
They may be due to variability in the measurement or may indicate
experimental errors.
The graph depicted below shows there are three outliers in the
dataset.

To deal with outliers, you can use the following four methods:
Drop the outlier records
Cap your outlier's data
Assign a new value
Try a new transformation

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 PYTHON DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 8
Suppose there is an array that has values
[0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. How will you display the following
values from the array - [1,3,5,7,9]?

Since we only want the odd number from 0 to 9, you can perform
the modulus operation and check if the remainder is equal to 1.

QUESTION 9
Suppose there is an array, what would you do?
num = np.array([[1,2,3],[4,5,6],[7,8,9]]). Extract the value 8 using 2D
indexing.

Since the value eight is present in the 2nd row of the 1st column, we
use the same index positions and pass it to the array.

NEXT SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

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 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1
What are the different types of SQL constraints, and
how are they used to maintain data integrity?
The different types of SQL constraints are:
1. Primary Key: Ensures unique and non-null values in a column,
often used to identify records.
2. Unique Key: Guarantees uniqueness but allows for null values.
3. Foreign Key: Enforces referential integrity by linking a column to
another table's primary key.
4. Check Constraint: Defines conditions that data must meet for
insertion or updating.
5. Default Constraint: Provides a default value for a column if one is
not specified.

QUESTION 2
How can you optimize the performance of SQL queries
when working with large datasets?
To optimize SQL query performance with large datasets:
1. Use indexes on frequently queried columns.
2. Minimize the use of SELECT *.
3. Write efficient WHERE clauses to filter data.
4. Limit the use of subqueries.
5. Normalize your database to reduce redundancy.
6. Optimize joins and use appropriate join types.
7. Consider denormalization for reporting.

QUESTION 3
What is a subquery, and how is it different from a JOIN
operation?
A subquery is a nested SQL query that is used within another query.
It returns a single value or a set of values to be compared in the
outer query.
In contrast, a JOIN operation combines rows from two or more
tables based on a related column to create a result set with
columns from all the tables involved.

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 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 4
What is the difference between UNION and UNION ALL?

1. UNION: The UNION command is used to select related information

from two tables, much like the JOIN command. However, when using
the UNION command all selected columns need to be of the same
data type. With UNION, only distinct values are selected.
2. UNION ALL: The UNION ALL command is equal to the UNION
command, except that UNION ALL selects all values.

QUESTION 5
What is the SQL server query execution sequence?
FROM -> goes to Secondary files via the primary file
WHERE -> applies filter condition (non-aggregate column)
SELECT -> dumps data in temp DB system database
GROUP BY -> groups data according to grouping predicate
HAVING -> applies filter condition (an aggregate function)
ORDER BY -> sorts data ascending/descending
QUESTION 6
What is a view in SQL? How to create one

A view is a virtual table based on the result-set of an SQL

statement. We can create using the create view syntax.
CREATE VIEW view_name AS
SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE condition
QUESTION 7
What is the difference between “Primary Key” and
“Unique Key”?
1. We can have only one Primary Key in a table whereas we can have
more than one Unique Key in a table.
2. The Primary Key cannot have a NULL value whereas a Unique Key
may have only one null value.
3. By default, a Primary Key is a Clustered Index whereas by default,
a Unique Key is a unique non-clustered index.

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 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 8
What is the difference between the “WHERE” clause and
the “HAVING” clause?
1. WHERE clause can be used with a Select, Update and Delete
Statement Clause but the HAVING clause can be used only with a
Select statement.
2. We can't use aggregate functions in the WHERE clause unless it is
in a sub-query contained in a HAVING clause whereas we can use an
aggregate function in the HAVING clause. We can use a column
name in the HAVING clause but the column must be contained in the
group by clause.
QUESTION 9
What is the difference between the “DELETE” and
“TRUNCATE” SQL commands?
1. The DELETE command is used to remove rows from a table based
on a WHERE condition whereas TRUNCATE removes all rows from a
table.
2. So we can use a where clause with DELETE to filter and delete
specific records whereas we cannot use a Where clause with
TRUNCATE.
3. DELETE is executed using a row lock, each row in the table is
locked for deletion whereas TRUNCATE is executed using a table
lock and the entire table is locked for removal of all records.
QUESTION 10
What are the differences between OLTP and OLAP?
OLTP stands for Online Transactional Processing
OLAP stands for Online Analytical Processing
OLTP:
Normalization Level: highly normalized
Data Usage: Current Data (Database)
Processing: fast for delta operations (DML)
Operation: Delta operation (update, insert, delete) aka DML
Terms Used: table, columns, and relationships
OLAP:
Normalization Level: highly denormalized Data Usage: historical
Data (Data warehouse)
Processing: fast for read operations Operation: read operation
(select)
Terms Used: dimension table, fact table

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 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 11
What is a stored procedure in SQL, and what are its
advantages in data analysis and database management?
What is a stored procedure in SQL, and what are its advantages in
data analysis and database management?
QUESTION 12
What is data warehousing, and how does it differ from
traditional database systems?
Data warehousing is a centralised repository that stores, integrates,
and manages data from various sources for efficient querying and
reporting. It differs from traditional databases by focusing on
historical and analytical data, while traditional databases are more
oriented toward transactional data and real-time operations.
QUESTION 13
What is the purpose of the GROUP BY clause in SQL, and
when is it used?
The GROUP BY clause in SQL is used to group rows with similar
values in a specific column. It is used to perform aggregate
functions on grouped data, such as SUM, COUNT, AVG, etc. It's
commonly used to summarize data and perform analysis on subsets
of a dataset.

QUESTION 14
Explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT
JOIN in SQL. Provide an example for each.
INNER JOIN:
Returns only the rows with matching values in both tables.
Example:
SELECT customers.name, orders.product
FROM customers
INNER JOIN orders
ON customers.id = orders.customer_id;
LEFT JOIN:
Returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the
right table. If there's no match, NULL values are returned.
Example: SELECT customers.name, orders.product
FROM customers
LEFT JOIN orders
ON customers.id = orders.customer_id;

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 SQL DATA ANALYST INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

QUESTION 15
Explain the concept of an index in a database. How does
it improve query performance?
An index in a database is a data structure that enhances query
performance by allowing the database management system to
quickly locate and retrieve specific rows from a table. It works like
the index of a book, enabling faster data retrieval and reducing the
need for scanning the entire table.

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