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Computer Systems Architecture Test

The Computer Systems Architecture Test evaluates a candidate's understanding of computer system structure, organization, and behavior, including topics such as processor architecture, memory hierarchy, input/output systems, and system performance. It also assesses knowledge of data structures and software engineering principles.

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Screen candidates with a 30 mins test

Test duration:  ~ 30 mins
Difficulty level:  Moderate
Availability:  Available as custom test
Questions:
  • 4 Data Structures MCQs
  • 4 Technical Aptitude MCQs
  • 4 Operating System MCQs
  • 4 System Design MCQs
  • 4 Computer Networks MCQs
Covered skills:
Data Structures
Technical Aptitude
Operating System
System Design
Computer Networks
System Design
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Use the Computer Systems Architecture Assessment Test to shortlist qualified candidates

The Computer Systems Architecture Test helps recruiters and hiring managers identify qualified candidates from a pool of resumes, and helps in taking objective hiring decisions. It reduces the administrative overhead of interviewing too many candidates and saves time by filtering out unqualified candidates at the first step of the hiring process.

The test screens for the following skills that hiring managers look for in candidates:

  • Understanding and implementing data structures
  • Applying technical problem-solving skills
  • Knowing the fundamentals of operating systems
  • Designing scalable and efficient systems
  • Understanding computer networks and protocols
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We have a very high focus on the quality of questions that test for on-the-job skills. Every question is non-googleable and we have a very high bar for the level of subject matter experts we onboard to create these questions. We have crawlers to check if any of the questions are leaked online. If/ when a question gets leaked, we get an alert. We change the question for you & let you know.

How we design questions

These are just a small sample from our library of 15,000+ questions. The actual questions on this Computer Systems Architecture Test will be non-googleable.

🧐 Question

Hard

Graph Traversal and Data Storage
Graph Theory
Algorithm Analysis
Solve
Consider the following pseudo code implementing a specific graph traversal algorithm:
 image
What is the order in which the nodes are processed, and which data structure best represents the graph `G` for efficient traversal?

Medium

Implementing a Browser's Back Button
Stack
Data Handling
Solve
You are tasked with implementing the "Back" button functionality in a web browser. This feature allows users to return to previously visited web pages in the order they were viewed. The browser maintains a history of URLs in a data structure. Considering the nature of web browsing, where users can go back multiple steps and then navigate to a new page (at which point the future history should be cleared), which data structure and algorithm would best implement this functionality?
A: Use a heap, add the current URL when navigating to a new page, and remove the top element when the back button is used.
B: Use a queue, enqueue the current URL when navigating to a new page, and dequeue when the back button is used.
C: Use a single stack, push the current URL when navigating to a new page, and pop when the back button is used.
D: Use an array, add the current URL to the end when navigating to a new page, and remove the last URL when the back button is used.
E: Use a linked list, add the current URL to the head when navigating to a new page, and move backwards when the back button is used.
F: Use two stacks, push the current URL to the first stack when navigating to a new page, and use the second stack to store the pages when the back button is used.

Easy

Linked List Element Removal
Linked Lists
Element Removal
Solve
Consider a singly linked list where each node contains an integer value. Write a function `removeElement` that removes all occurrences of a specific value from the linked list. The function should return the head of the modified linked list.

Pseudo code:
 image
What will be the content of the linked list referred to by `result` after executing the above pseudo code?

Medium

Decryptor
Strings
Solve
What does the following pseudo code print?
 image

Hard

Fibonacci codes
Time Complexity
Pseudo Code
Solve
Here are three pseudocodes for calculating the Nth Fibonacci number. Which of the following statements about these codes are true?
 image
A: Time complexity/efficiency of CODE 1, CODE 2, CODE 3 is the same.
B: CODE 2 is more space-efficient than CODE 3.
C: CODE 3 is more space-efficient than CODE 2.
D: CODE 2 is more time-efficient than CODE 1.
E: CODE 3 is more time-efficient than CODE 1.

Hard

Palindrome Test cases
Strings
Solve
Go through the following faulty palindrome detection pseudocode and test cases. For which of the test cases would the code return true?
 image
Testcases
A: a
B: aba
C: aaa
D: aac

Medium

Rewards Activities Order
Database Connection
Solve
A new popular app tracks the activities performed by its users and grants them rewards based on each individual's total activities performed in a year. This data is maintained in a database table (activitesinfo), with the following columns: userid, totalactivities, reward. This year, due to fundraising activity, the company has decided to further reward its users by enhancing the reward as per the following formula: If reward < = 4000, increase it by 2%, If 4000 < reward <= 8000, increase it by 4%, If reward > 8000, increase it by 6%.
The tech team has written three different scripts to calculate increment for each slab, each script is to run as a separate transaction. Here are the three scripts:
Script 1:
For users with reward <= 4000, set reward = reward * 1.02

Script 2:
For users with reward > 4000 and reward <= 8000, set reward = reward * 1.04

Script 3:
For users with reward > 8000, set reward = reward * 1.06
Each script is to be executed separately. Which of the following options will update the rewards as expected:
A: Execute Script 1 followed by Script 2 followed by Script 3
B: Execute Script 2 followed by Script 3; Script 1 running concurrently throughout
C: Execute Script 3 followed by Script 2; Script 1 running concurrently throughout
D: Execute Script 3 followed by Script 2 followed by Script 1
E: Execute Script 2 followed by Script 3 followed by Script 1

Medium

Optimal Data Replication and Consistency in Distributed Systems
Data Consistency
Load Balancing
Fault Tolerance
Solve
Consider a distributed e-commerce platform designed to handle high traffic volumes and ensure data consistency across its services. The platform uses a distributed database that replicates data across multiple nodes to increase availability and performance. To balance the load, it employs a load balancer that distributes user requests evenly across these nodes. The system is designed to tolerate the failure of up to two nodes without affecting the platform's overall availability.

Given the critical requirement for strong consistency to prevent issues such as overselling of products, the system uses a consensus algorithm for replication. The database is configured with a replication factor of 5, meaning each piece of data is stored on 5 nodes. For read and write operations to be considered successful, they must be acknowledged by a majority of the nodes involved in the operation.

Assuming all nodes have equal hardware resources and network latency between nodes is negligible, which of the following configurations would best meet the platform's requirements for high availability, performance, and strong consistency?
A: Reads require acknowledgment from 2 nodes, and writes require acknowledgment from 4 nodes.
B: Reads and writes both require acknowledgment from 3 nodes.
C: Reads require acknowledgment from 3 nodes, and writes require acknowledgment from 2 nodes.
D: Reads and writes both require acknowledgment from 4 nodes.
E: Reads require acknowledgment from 1 node, and writes require acknowledgment from 5 nodes.
F: Reads and writes both require acknowledgment from 5 nodes.

Easy

Real-time Vehicle Tracking for Logistics Company
Data Storage
Scalability
Real-time Updates
NoSQL
Solve
TransitTrack is a logistics company that needs to store real-time location data (latitude, longitude) of their vehicles as they move across the city. The system should be optimized for fast read and write operations to provide real-time tracking. TransitTrack can tolerate occasional data loss since the vehicle locations are updated frequently. Which of the following data storage solutions should TransitTrack implement for their vehicle tracking system?
A: Utilize a relational database management system (RDBMS) like PostgreSQL with a table indexed on the vehicle_id column for efficient data insertion and retrieval.
B: Implement an in-memory cache like Redis to store the vehicle location data, with the vehicle_id as the key and the latitude-longitude pair as the value.
C: Use a document-oriented database like MongoDB to store the vehicle location data as GeoJSON documents, enabling geospatial querying capabilities.
D: Develop a custom in-memory data structure using a spatial indexing technique like an R-tree to store and query the vehicle location data efficiently.
E: Use a time-series database like InfluxDB to store the vehicle location data along with timestamps, allowing for efficient querying and analysis of historical location data.

Medium

Session stickiness with ELB
Cookies
Solve
Johnny Bravo is setting up a new e-commerce store for men's clothing. He set up session stickiness with ELB. But he does not want ELB to manage the cookie, he wants the application to manage the cookie. When the server instance, which is bound to a cookie, crashes what do you expect will happen?
A: ELB will throw an error due to cookie unavailability
B: The response will have a cookie but stickiness will be deleted
C: The session will be sticky and ELB will route requests to another server as ELB keeps replicating the Cookie
D: The session will not be sticky until a new cookie is inserted

Medium

Updating UI after Encoding
UI Design
Decoupling
Solve
Imagine you’re a developer at Songbird Inc, working on a music editing app for mobile devices. The app allows users to edit audio clips and export them in various audio formats. Once a user finishes editing a clip, they can choose an output format and initiate the encoding process. This encoding process can take a while depending on the chosen format and the length of the clip. Because it’s a mobile app, you want to avoid freezing the UI while encoding is in progress.

What’s the most appropriate approach to notify the user when the encoding is complete and the exported file is ready?
A: Directly modify the UI elements from within the encoding logic. When encoding finishes, the encoding system can directly tell the UI components to update themselves with the new information (e.g., change a button text to “Export Complete”).
B: Separate the UI update logic from the encoding process. The encoding system should trigger a custom event (e.g., “EncodingFinishedEvent”) upon completion. UI components can listen for this event and update themselves accordingly when it’s received.
C:  Have the UI code continuously check on the encoding status with a loop (often referred to as busy waiting or polling). The loop would keep checking a flag or variable set by the encoding system until the encoding is complete. Once complete, the UI can update itself.
D:  Introduce a central message queue or event bus. The encoding system can publish a message to the message queue upon finishing the task. Separate UI update logic would be subscribed to the queue, listening for relevant messages. When it receives the message about encoding completion, it can update the UI.
E: Let the encoding logic return a callback function to the UI layer when it’s initiated. Once encoding is finished, the encoding system calls back this function, allowing the UI to update itself.

Medium

Mac address and IP on router hop
Routers
Switches
Solve
Refer to the following exhibit:
 image
Host A is sending a packet to Host B. 

1. What is the source and destination MAC address at point PA?
2. What is the source and destination IP address at point PB?
// Option A
PA: source MAC - Mac-A
PA: destination MAC - Mac-B
PB: source IP - 192.168.1.1
PB: destination IP - 192.168.3.1

// Option B
PA: source MAC - Mac-A
PA: destination MAC - Mac-RA
PB: source IP - 192.168.3.3
PB: destination IP - 192.168.3.1

// Option C
PA: source MAC - Mac-A
PA: destination MAC - Mac-B
PB: source IP - 192.168.3.3
PB: destination IP - 192.168.3.1

// Option D
PA: source MAC - Mac-A
PA: destination MAC - Mac-RA
PB: source IP - 192.168.1.1
PB: destination IP - 192.168.3.1

Easy

MX Record, DMARC and Email Authentication
DNS
MX Records
DMARC
SPF
DKIM
Solve
You work as a network administrator for a company, "example.com", that recently started experiencing issues with email spoofing. To mitigate the problem, you decide to implement DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) in addition to existing SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) records.

Your current DNS records for example.com include the following:

- MX 10 mail.example.com (IP address 203.0.113.10)
- TXT "v=spf1 ip4:203.0.113.10 -all"
- TXT "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=public-key-here"

You add the following DMARC record:

- TXT "_dmarc.example.com" "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; pct=100; rua=mailto:report@example.com"

After implementing the DMARC record, an external mail server sends an email to your domain. The email passes the SPF and DKIM checks but fails the DMARC check.

What will likely happen to the email?
A: The email will be accepted and delivered to the recipient's inbox.
B: The email will be rejected and returned to the sender as undeliverable.
C: The email might be delivered to the recipient's spam or junk folder.
D: The email will be accepted, but a report will be sent to the sender.
E: The email will be silently discarded, and the sender will not be notified.

Medium

Remote network resources
Gateway
Routing protocols
Solve
Review the following exhibit:
 image
Angelina noticed that the computers on 192.168.10.0/24 network can ping their default gateway. But they found that these computers cannot connect to any remote network resources. Which of the following is the most likely reason for this?

Medium

SSL Certificate Expiry
SSL/TLS
Network Security
Solve
You are a network administrator for an e-commerce company. The company's online store allows customers to browse products and make purchases securely over the internet. The online store uses SSL/TLS for secure communication. You receive reports that some customers are seeing a security warning in their web browsers when trying to access the online store. Upon investigation, you discover the following information:

- The SSL certificate used by the online store's web server is valid for one year and is due to expire in two days.
- The web server is configured to automatically redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
- The SSL certificate was issued by a trusted certificate authority (CA), and all major web browsers have the CA's root certificate in their trusted certificate stores.
- The SSL certificate includes the correct domain name for the online store.

Given the above information, which of the following steps should be taken to resolve the issue and prevent customers from seeing the security warning?
A: Extend the validity of the current SSL certificate by one year.
B: Obtain a new SSL certificate from the same CA and install it on the web server before the current certificate expires.
C: Remove the automatic redirect from HTTP to HTTPS on the web server.
D: Ask customers to ignore the security warning and proceed to the online store.
E: Replace the SSL certificate with a self-signed certificate.
🧐 Question🔧 Skill

Hard

Graph Traversal and Data Storage
Graph Theory
Algorithm Analysis

3 mins

Data Structures
Solve

Medium

Implementing a Browser's Back Button
Stack
Data Handling

2 mins

Data Structures
Solve

Easy

Linked List Element Removal
Linked Lists
Element Removal

2 mins

Data Structures
Solve

Medium

Decryptor
Strings

2 mins

Technical Aptitude
Solve

Hard

Fibonacci codes
Time Complexity
Pseudo Code

2 mins

Technical Aptitude
Solve

Hard

Palindrome Test cases
Strings

2 mins

Technical Aptitude
Solve

Medium

Rewards Activities Order
Database Connection

3 mins

Technical Aptitude
Solve

Medium

Optimal Data Replication and Consistency in Distributed Systems
Data Consistency
Load Balancing
Fault Tolerance

2 mins

System Design
Solve

Easy

Real-time Vehicle Tracking for Logistics Company
Data Storage
Scalability
Real-time Updates
NoSQL

2 mins

System Design
Solve

Medium

Session stickiness with ELB
Cookies

2 mins

System Design
Solve

Medium

Updating UI after Encoding
UI Design
Decoupling

2 mins

System Design
Solve

Medium

Mac address and IP on router hop
Routers
Switches

2 mins

Computer Networks
Solve

Easy

MX Record, DMARC and Email Authentication
DNS
MX Records
DMARC
SPF
DKIM

2 mins

Computer Networks
Solve

Medium

Remote network resources
Gateway
Routing protocols

3 mins

Computer Networks
Solve

Medium

SSL Certificate Expiry
SSL/TLS
Network Security

2 mins

Computer Networks
Solve
🧐 Question🔧 Skill💪 Difficulty⌛ Time
Graph Traversal and Data Storage
Graph Theory
Algorithm Analysis
Data Structures
Hard3 mins
Solve
Implementing a Browser's Back Button
Stack
Data Handling
Data Structures
Medium2 mins
Solve
Linked List Element Removal
Linked Lists
Element Removal
Data Structures
Easy2 mins
Solve
Decryptor
Strings
Technical Aptitude
Medium2 mins
Solve
Fibonacci codes
Time Complexity
Pseudo Code
Technical Aptitude
Hard2 mins
Solve
Palindrome Test cases
Strings
Technical Aptitude
Hard2 mins
Solve
Rewards Activities Order
Database Connection
Technical Aptitude
Medium3 mins
Solve
Optimal Data Replication and Consistency in Distributed Systems
Data Consistency
Load Balancing
Fault Tolerance
System Design
Medium2 mins
Solve
Real-time Vehicle Tracking for Logistics Company
Data Storage
Scalability
Real-time Updates
NoSQL
System Design
Easy2 mins
Solve
Session stickiness with ELB
Cookies
System Design
Medium2 mins
Solve
Updating UI after Encoding
UI Design
Decoupling
System Design
Medium2 mins
Solve
Mac address and IP on router hop
Routers
Switches
Computer Networks
Medium2 mins
Solve
MX Record, DMARC and Email Authentication
DNS
MX Records
DMARC
SPF
DKIM
Computer Networks
Easy2 mins
Solve
Remote network resources
Gateway
Routing protocols
Computer Networks
Medium3 mins
Solve
SSL Certificate Expiry
SSL/TLS
Network Security
Computer Networks
Medium2 mins
Solve

Test candidates on core Computer Systems Architecture Hiring Test topics

Data Structures: Data Structures are a way to organize and store data in a computer. They provide efficient methods for accessing and manipulating data, allowing algorithms to be executed more efficiently. Measuring this skill helps recruiters assess a candidate's ability to design and implement data structures, which is crucial for developing robust and efficient software applications.

Technical Aptitude: Technical Aptitude refers to a candidate's overall understanding and proficiency in technical concepts and problem-solving abilities. It encompasses skills like logical reasoning, numerical analysis, and the ability to interpret and solve technical problems. Assessing this skill helps recruiters gauge a candidate's readiness and potential to handle complex technical challenges.

Operating System: An Operating System is a crucial software that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing a platform for other software to run on. Measuring a candidate's knowledge of Operating Systems helps recruiters evaluate their understanding of fundamental concepts like memory management, process scheduling, and file systems, which is essential for developing robust and efficient software applications.

System Design: System Design involves creating a detailed plan or architecture for implementing a computer system or software application. It includes considering factors like performance, scalability, and security. Assessing a candidate's System Design skills helps recruiters determine their ability to create efficient and reliable software solutions that meet the requirements of complex systems.

Computer Networks: Computer Networks are the backbone of modern communication, enabling devices to connect and share data. Measuring a candidate's knowledge of Computer Networks allows recruiters to assess their understanding of concepts like network protocols, routing, and addressing. This skill is crucial as it helps ensure that candidates can design and administer networks effectively, ensuring reliable and secure communication.

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Have questions about the Computer Systems Architecture Hiring Test?

What roles can I use the Computer Systems Architecture Assessment Test for?

Here are few roles for which we recommend this test:

  • Software Engineer
  • Systems Architect
  • Software Developer
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Technical Architect
  • Database Administrator
  • Network Engineer
  • Quality Assurance Engineer
  • IT Project Manager
  • Technical Support Specialist
Can I combine the Computer Systems Architecture Test with Python questions?

Yes, recruiters can request a single custom test with multiple skills in the same test. For example, you can combine this test with Python questions. Check out our Python Online Test for more details.

How to use the Computer Systems Architecture Test in my hiring process?

We recommend using this test as a pre-screening tool at the start of your recruitment process. Add a link to the assessment in your job post or directly invite candidates by email.

What are the main technical aptitude tests?
Do you have any anti-cheating or proctoring features in place?

We have the following anti-cheating features in place:

  • Non-googleable questions
  • IP proctoring
  • Screen proctoring
  • Web proctoring
  • Webcam proctoring
  • Plagiarism detection
  • Secure browser
  • Copy paste protection

Read more about the proctoring features.

What experience level can I use this test for?

Each Adaface assessment is customized to your job description/ ideal candidate persona (our subject matter experts will pick the right questions for your assessment from our library of 10000+ questions). This assessment can be customized for any experience level.

I'm a candidate. Can I try a practice test?

No. Unfortunately, we do not support practice tests at the moment. However, you can use our sample questions for practice.

Can I get a free trial?

Yes, you can sign up for free and preview this test.

What is the Computer Systems Architecture Test?

The Computer Systems Architecture Test is designed to assess candidates' knowledge in various areas including Data Structures, Technical Aptitude, Operating Systems, System Design, and Computer Networks. Ideal for recruiters, this test helps identify candidates with the required technical skills.

What skill areas are evaluated in the Computer Systems Architecture Test?

This test assesses candidates on:

  • Data Structures
  • Technical Aptitude
  • Operating Systems
  • System Design
  • Computer Networks
  • System Design.
Can I test JavaScript and NodeJS together in a test?

Yes, you can. We offer a combo test for these skills. Check out our JavaScript & NodeJS Test. This is recommended for assessing front-end and back-end development skills together.

Can I combine multiple skills into one custom assessment?

Yes, absolutely. Custom assessments are set up based on your job description, and will include questions on all must-have skills you specify. Here's a quick guide on how you can request a custom test.

How do I interpret test scores?

The primary thing to keep in mind is that an assessment is an elimination tool, not a selection tool. A skills assessment is optimized to help you eliminate candidates who are not technically qualified for the role, it is not optimized to help you find the best candidate for the role. So the ideal way to use an assessment is to decide a threshold score (typically 55%, we help you benchmark) and invite all candidates who score above the threshold for the next rounds of interview.

Does every candidate get the same questions?

Yes, it makes it much easier for you to compare candidates. Options for MCQ questions and the order of questions are randomized. We have anti-cheating/ proctoring features in place. In our enterprise plan, we also have the option to create multiple versions of the same assessment with questions of similar difficulty levels.

What is the cost of using this test?

You can check out our pricing plans.

I just moved to a paid plan. How can I request a custom assessment?

Here is a quick guide on how to request a custom assessment on Adaface.

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