MS SQL Online Test

The MS SQL Test makes use of scenario-based questions to test for on-the-job skills as opposed to theoretical knowledge, ensuring that candidates who do well on this screening test have the relavant skills. The questions are designed to covered following on-the-job aspects:

• Writing complex SQL queries
• Designing efficient databases
• Applying normalization techniques
• Optimizing database performance
• Using indexes effectively
• Utilizing various types of joins
• Creating and working with subqueries
• Understanding and working with views
• Implementing and managing stored procedures
• Working with triggers for automated actions

Once the test is sent to a candidate, the candidate receives a link in email to take the test. For each candidate, you will receive a detailed report with skills breakdown and benchmarks to shortlist the top candidates from your pool.

• SQL queries

  SQL queries are statements used to retrieve data from a database. They are crucial for extracting specific information and performing operations on the database, such as filtering, sorting, and aggregating data. Measuring this skill in the test ensures candidates have a strong understanding of SQL syntax and the ability to write efficient queries.

• Database design

  Database design involves creating the structure and organization of a database, including tables, relationships, and constraints. It is essential to assess this skill to determine if candidates can design efficient and scalable databases that meet business requirements.

• Normalization

  Normalization is the process of organizing data in a database to eliminate redundancy and improve data integrity. Evaluating this skill helps identify candidates who can design databases that are properly normalized, reducing data duplication and improving data consistency.

• Indexes

  Indexes are database structures that improve query performance by enabling faster data retrieval. Measuring this skill ensures candidates understand the importance of choosing and creating appropriate indexes to optimize query execution.

• Joins

  Joins are used to combine data from multiple tables based on related columns. This skill is crucial for candidates to demonstrate proficiency in writing join statements and efficiently retrieving data from multiple tables.

• Subqueries

  Subqueries are nested queries within a SQL statement. Assessing this skill helps identify candidates who can write complex queries and leverage subqueries to retrieve data from multiple levels and achieve desired results.

• Views

  Views are virtual tables created from the result of a query. Measuring this skill ensures candidates can create, modify, and use views effectively to simplify complex queries, enhance data security, and improve query performance.

• Stored procedures

  Stored procedures are precompiled SQL code stored in a database, providing a way to execute complex operations. Evaluating this skill helps determine if candidates can design and write efficient stored procedures for implementing complex business logic in the database.

• Triggers

  Triggers are special types of stored procedures that are automatically executed in response to specific events, such as INSERT, UPDATE, or DELETE operations. This skill assessment helps identify candidates who can design and utilize triggers to enforce data integrity, implement validations, or automate certain database actions.

• Transactions

  Transactions are logical units of work that consist of multiple database operations, ensuring data consistency and reliability. Evaluating this skill helps determine if candidates understand the concept of transactions and can effectively manage them to maintain data integrity.

• Performance tuning

  Performance tuning involves optimizing the performance of a database by adjusting configurations, indexes, queries, and other factors. Assessing this skill helps identify candidates who can analyze and improve the performance of a database in terms of query speed, resource utilization, and overall efficiency.

• Data manipulation

  Data manipulation involves modifying the contents of a database using INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, and similar operations. Measuring this skill ensures candidates can effectively manipulate data in a database, ensuring accurate and efficient data updates and modifications.

• Data definition

  Data definition involves defining the structure, organization, and attributes of data in a database using CREATE, ALTER, and DROP statements. Evaluating this skill helps determine if candidates can accurately define database objects, such as tables, columns, constraints, and indexes.

• Full list of covered topics

  The actual topics of the questions in the final test will depend on your job description and requirements. However, here's a list of topics you can expect the questions for MS SQL Test to be based on.

  SELECT statement

  INSERT statement

  UPDATE statement

  DELETE statement

  Aggregate functions

  JOINs

  Subqueries

  View creation

  Stored procedure creation

  Trigger creation

  Transaction management

  Performance tuning techniques

  Normalization forms (1NF, 2NF, 3NF)

  Primary keys

  Foreign keys

  Indexes

  Data types

  Table creation

  Table alteration

  Data aggregation

  Data sorting

  Data filtering

  Data grouping

  Table relationships

  Data integrity

  Views manipulation

  Stored procedure execution

  Trigger events

  Isolation levels

  ACID properties

  Data rollback

  Data commit

  Data locking

  Data unlocking

  Data insertion

  Data deletion

  Data updation

  Data retrieval

  Null values handling

  Data backup

  Data restore

  Table indexing

  Query optimization

  Query performance

  Query execution plans

  Data stored procedures

  Data triggers

  Data integrity constraints

  Data normalization

  Database relationships

  Query debugging

  Query profiling

  SQL injections

  View access permissions

  Stored procedure security

• MS SQL Database Administrator
• MS SQL Developer
• MS SQL Data Warehouse Specialist

For intermediate/ experienced candidates, we customize the assessment questions to include advanced topics and increase the difficulty level of the questions. This might include adding questions on topics like

• Understanding and managing database transactions
• Performance tuning for improving query execution
• Manipulating data using INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE statements
• Defining tables, constraints, and relationships
• Utilizing database indexing strategies
• Analyzing query execution plans for optimization
• Implementing resource locking mechanisms
• Writing complex data manipulation scripts
• Understanding data integrity principles
• Designing effective database backup and recovery plans