Top Python Coding Interview Questions (With Answers) for 2025

Introduction: Your Python Interview Playbook

Whether you're preparing for your first tech interview or eyeing a big MNC like Google or Amazon, Python remains one of the most sought-after languages in coding interviews. But cracking Python interviews isn’t just about syntax—it’s about how well you can solve problems under pressure.

This blog is your personal cheat sheet. From basic to tricky, we’ve curated the most commonly asked Python interview questions—with clean, beginner-friendly answers and tips to boost your confidence.

1. What Are Python’s Key Features That Make It So Popular?

Answer:

• Readable and clean syntax

• Dynamically typed (no need to declare variable types)

• Interpreted language

• Extensive standard libraries and frameworks

• Supports OOP and functional programming

• Platform-independent

Real-World Tip: Python powers everything from Instagram to machine learning models in TensorFlow. So, the flexibility isn’t just theoretical—it’s proven.

2. Reverse a String Without Using Python’s Slicing

Question Type: Coding logic, loops

1def reverse_string(s):
2    reversed_str = ''
3    for char in s:
4        reversed_str = char + reversed_str
5    return reversed_str
6print(reverse_string("hello"))  # Output: "olleh"

What Interviewers Look For:

• Understanding of string immutability

• Ability to simulate logic without built-in shortcuts

3. What’s the Difference Between is and == in Python?

Answer:

• == checks value equality

• is checks identity (if two variables point to the same object in memory)

1a = [1, 2, 3]
2b = [1, 2, 3]
3print(a == b)  # True
4print(a is b)  # False

4. Write a Function to Check if a Number Is a Prime

1def is_prime(n):
2    if n < 2:
3        return False
4    for i in range(2, int(n**0.5)+1):
5        if n % i == 0:
6            return False
7    return True
8print(is_prime(17))  # True

Pro Tip: Use square root optimization for better performance in large inputs.

5. How Does Python Handle Memory Management?

Answer:

Python uses:

• Automatic garbage collection via the gc module

• Reference counting to track objects

• Private heaps to store all Python objects and data structures

6. Find the First Non-Repeating Character in a String

1from collections import Counter
2def first_unique_char(s):
3    count = Counter(s)
4    for char in s:
5        if count[char] == 1:
6            return char
7    return None
8print(first_unique_char("aabbcdde"))  # Output: "c"

Interviewer Insight:
This tests your understanding of hashing and character frequency analysis.

7. What Are Python Decorators? Give an Example

Answer:
Decorators are functions that modify the behavior of other functions without changing their code.

1def logger(func):
2    def wrapper():
3        print("Function is being called")
4        return func()
5    return wrapper
6@logger
7def greet():
8    print("Hello!")
9greet()

8. Remove Duplicates from a List Without Using set()

1def remove_duplicates(lst):
2    result = []
3    seen = {}
4    for item in lst:
5        if item not in seen:
6            result.append(item)
7            seen[item] = True
8    return result
9print(remove_duplicates([1, 2, 2, 3, 1]))  # Output: [1, 2, 3]

9. What Is the Difference Between @staticmethod and @classmethod?

• @staticmethod: Doesn’t take any implicit arguments. Behaves like a normal function inside a class.

• @classmethod: Takes cls as the first argument and can modify class state.

10. What’s Pythonic Code?

Answer:
Pythonic code is clean, readable, and uses idiomatic constructs.

Example:

1# Non-pythonic
2nums = [1, 2, 3]
3squared = []
4for num in nums:
5    squared.append(num ** 2)
6# Pythonic
7squared = [num ** 2 for num in nums]

Bonus: Common Mistakes That Cost You Interviews

• Ignoring edge cases (e.g., empty list, negative input)

• Not writing modular or reusable functions

• Forgetting time/space complexity

• Overusing built-ins without explaining logic

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Conclusion: Python Interviews Are About Thinking Clearly

The key to cracking Python interviews is not cramming syntax—but practicing logical thinking, clean coding, and edge-case handling. The more you write, debug, and analyze, the more confident you become.

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