If you are looking for Python interview topics frequently asked during interviews, then there may be times when you feel overwhelmed, especially when you are just starting. But you know, there is some good news. Most of the beginners are asked very simple questions in interviews that are based on the fundamental concepts.
If you understand these basics clearly, then cracking your first Python interview will be so much easier. Here, we’ll talk about the most important Python interview topics that you must know to crack a tech interview. We’ll explain them in simple terms and help you build a strong foundation for a better future.
Why Should You Learn Python For Interviews?
Before we step ahead and have a look at Python interview topics, it is essential that you understand why you should actually learn Python for your interviews. Well, Python is one of the most popular and most commonly used programming languages across the world.
It is because it is beginner-friendly, versatile, and is used in almost every tech domain, whether it is web development, data science, or any other area. And you know, top companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. use Python, which makes it a great choice to learn, especially for job searchers.
Read More: How to pass the Amazon AWS Developer Certification? Complete Roadmap
How to Stay Prepared For Technical Coding Interviews?
When students are facing interviews, they often remain underconfident about how to stand up to the expectations of the interviewer. Well, there are certain things you can keep in mind while sitting for a Python or other coding interview.
1. Stay Familiar with the Frequent & Favorite Topics of the Interviewer
You will have to judge your interviewer’s mind to give the answers in the best way possible and seize your chance.
- How to structure your thoughts together when you face a problem?
- Make sure you are familiar with the logic of the code. You do not have to give answers just by memorising or cramming.
- You need to be in proper communication with the interviewer during the entire meeting.
2. Effective Approach to Solve Coding Problems
Follow the approach mentioned below to solve any problem in coding.
- Make sure you clearly understand the question. You can ask any confusions regarding the problem again.
- Take some sample input and expected output for the starters.
- When you are thinking of an approach, make sure it is loud, start with a brute force approach, and then move ahead in optimization.
- After thinking and focusing on all major approaches, put forward your best approach.
- If the interviewer asks you to write code, make sure it is clean and readable.
- You can check your code by running it in your compiler and verifying with the edge cases.
3. Keep Core Topics
Certain important things make a core part of your coding journey, which must be clear in your mind.
- Data Structures
- Algorithms
- Logic-based understanding
- Python frameworks
- Mock interview sessions
- Practice
4. Real Interview Simulations
Many platforms provide mock interview support to students where they can easily face a real-type interview. Even students can now select the topics for which they want to practice interviews.
You can try mock interviews on LeetCode, Interviewing.io, and more. This will keep you prepared for the interview day.
Most Important Python Interview Topics For Beginners
Let us start by discussing one by one all the important topics related to Python that you need to excel in order to crack your Python interview.
1. Python Basics
The interviewers want you to have at least the basic foundational knowledge of Python. You have to ensure that at least you are able to answer the following questions.
- What is Python?
- Features of Python? (Including easy Syntax)
- Python Applications, like web Applications, automation
- How is Python executed?
If you can answer these questions clearly, with confidence, then it will make an impact that you are at least familiar with the basic concepts of Python. And this will help you to cross the intro-level question interview round smoothly.
2. Variables, Data Types, and Operators
When you go for a Python interview, one of the most important Python interview topics is understanding how Python stores and handles data. Now, under this, there are many key concepts that you must learn.
- Variable declaration
- Built-in data types like int, float, str, bool, list, tuple, dict, and set.
- Type casting
- Arithmetic, logical, and comparison operators
Candidates are often worried about the difficult questions they may be asked, and due to that, they often forget to prepare for the easiest and most important questions that interviewers actually ask. Sometimes you may be asked a simple question like:
- What is the difference between a list and a tuple?
- Is Python dynamically typed?
It is important that you focus on the basics if this is your first Python interview.
3. Conditional statements and loops
Control flow is the most important part of programming. It is one of the essential Python interview topics. To crack the Python interview, you must understand the following functions:
- if, elif, else
- for and while hoops
- And also, you must know how to use break, continue, and pass.
For example, an interviewer may ask you to write a Python program to print even numbers from 1 to 20.
4. Python Functions
You must understand and know the functions of Python because it help in structuring the code and making it reusable. Let us have a look at some of the important concepts under this
- Defining and calling functions
- Return keyword
- Default and keyword arguments, etc.
Read More: Functions in C programming, Complete explanation for beginners
5. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
OOP is one of the most highly tested areas in Python interviews. So if you are looking for Python interview topics, then OOP should definitely be on your list. Let’s have a look at some of the topics to prepare for this
- Inheritance and Object
- __init__() Method, Inheritance
- Encapsulation and Abstraction
- Method Overriding.
Interviewers may simply ask you to explain inheritance with an example.
6. Python Data Structures
Python is a programming language that comes with powerful built-in data structures that you must know before stepping into an interview. Check out the must-know python interview topics in data structures below.
- Lists
- Tuples
- Sets
- Dictionaries
- Stack and Queue Implementation using Lists
Let us have a look at a sample question that an interviewer may ask you related to Python data structures. The interviewer can ask, How do you remove duplicates from a Python list? You must be able to answer it clearly.
7. Strings and String Methods
String manipulation is a very common interview topic that is most commonly asked. Make sure that you have knowledge and you learn thoroughly about indexing and slicing string methods, like
- .upper
- .split
- .replace
- .join
You must also be familiar with f-strings and formatting. For example, the interviewer can ask you to reverse a string in Python.
8. File Handling
Many interviews include questions on reading and writing files. So you must understand these python interview topics in file handling.
- Opening files
- Reading files
- Writing files, etc.
For example, let’s assume that the interviewer asks you, How do you handle files safely in Python? You must be able to answer the question correctly.
9. Exception Handling
Exception handling ensures that the code does not crash. You have to ensure that you learn the following.
- try, except, finally
- Raising exceptions using raise
You must also be aware of the built-in exceptions like ValueError and FileNotFoundError.
The interviewer can ask you questions like what the purpose of Try-except Blocks is or anything else, so you must know the concepts thoroughly.
Read More: Mastering Exception Handling in Java: Tips, Code Examples & A 10 Steps Powerful Guide
10. Modules and Libraries
Along with the basic concepts of Python, it is also important that you know how to import and use modules in Python.
Some of the key points in this regard are mentioned below. Check them out.
- Using import and from import
- Built-in libraries like math, random, and datetime
- And also why modules are important.
Prepare these concepts thoroughly to crack your interview.
11. Basic Coding Questions
Whenever you go for a Python interview topics, the basic coding questions makes up one of the most important Python interview topics. The interviewer will first try to know whether you are aware with the basics, and fundamentals of the code. If you know a code you must be familiar with the logics, and syntax behind it. However, you won’t be asked very typical coding questions if it is your first interview and you are just a beginner, but basic knowledge is always appreciated.
Most of the beginner-level interviews end with one or two simple coding questions, and that would include these python interview topics
- Find the largest number in a list
- Count vowels in a string
- Check if a number is prime, etc.
If you practice these problems, it will help you boost your confidence and ace your interviews.
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- Get pre-recorded tutorials from dedicated mentors at PW Skills.
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Python Interview Topics FAQs
Q1. What are the most important Python topics for beginners?
Ans: Basics, data types, loops, functions, OOP, and exception handling are the most essential topics to start with.
Q2. Is Python good for beginners preparing for interviews?
Ans: Yes. Its simple syntax makes it perfect for freshers and college students starting their programming journey.
Q3. How much Python is enough to crack a basic interview?
Ans: A strong understanding of fundamentals and basic coding problems is enough for entry-level interviews.
Q4. Do I need to learn frameworks like Django for Python interviews?
Ans: If you are in beginner-level roles, then you might not need to focus on Django. It is smart to focus on core Python first.
Q5. How do I prepare for Python coding questions?
Ans: You can practice easy to medium-level problems on platforms like HackerRank, LeetCode, or CodeStudio.
