The hiring process
| Round | Format | What's tested |
|---|---|---|
| Online Aptitude Test | ~140 min | Aptitude screening |
| Technical + Psychometric Test | ~65 min | CS fundamentals and personality |
| AI-Based Communication Assessment | ~20 min | Spoken English fluency |
| Technical Interview | 15-45 min | Fundamentals, projects, and problem-solving |
| HR Interview | 10-20 min | Fit and logistics |
Process and cutoffs vary by drive/team and change over time — confirm on the official careers page.
Round-by-round: exactly what's asked & how to prepare
Online Aptitude Test
~140 minA large aptitude block (around 75 questions) covering quantitative, logical reasoning, and verbal ability, with no negative marking. Sectional cutoffs apply, so weak areas cannot be masked by strong ones.
- Quantitative: arithmetic, DI, number systems
- Logical reasoning: series, puzzles, arrangements
- Verbal ability and comprehension
- Data sufficiency style items
- Grammar and vocabulary
- Take timed sectional mocks
- Build quant speed with mental math
- Practice reasoning puzzles daily
- Revise grammar and RC
- Missing a sectional cutoff
- Poor pacing over the long test
- Neglecting verbal
- Balanced sectional accuracy
- Endurance over a long test
- Reasoning strength
Technical + Psychometric Test
~65 minTechnical MCQs (around 26 questions) covering CS fundamentals, sometimes with a coding question that awards partial credit per passing test case, plus a psychometric/personality component. Cutoffs are independent.
- OOP and language fundamentals MCQs
- OS/DBMS basics
- A coding question with partial-credit scoring
- Data structures MCQs
- Psychometric situational/personality items
- Revise CS fundamentals MCQs
- Practice a few easy coding problems for partial credit
- Answer psychometric items honestly and consistently
- Do technical mocks
- Skipping the coding question entirely (partial credit is available)
- Inconsistent psychometric answers
- Weak fundamentals
- Solid CS fundamentals
- Some working coding logic
- Consistent personality profile
AI-Based Communication Assessment
~20 minAn automated, AI-scored module (around 18 questions) evaluating pronunciation, fluency, listening, and grammar. It is a real elimination gate; a strong aptitude score does not offset weak communication.
- Read-aloud passages
- Listen-and-respond tasks
- Sentence construction and grammar
- Describe a situation aloud
- Fluency and pronunciation items
- Practice reading English aloud clearly and steadily
- Record and review your pace and clarity
- Revise grammar
- Do daily spoken-English drills
- Speaking too fast or unclearly
- Long pauses hurting fluency scores
- Grammar slips
- Clear pronunciation
- Good fluency
- Accurate grammar
Technical Interview
15-45 minA one-on-one or panel round covering OOP, OS, and topics from your resume (sometimes ML if listed), plus one to two easy DSA questions to gauge problem-solving.
- Resume project deep-dive
- OOP and OS concepts
- One to two easy DSA problems
- Language you claim on your resume
- A domain topic you listed (e.g., ML)
- Revise OOP, OS, and one language
- Solve easy DSA problems
- Prepare project explanations
- Only list skills you can defend
- Listing skills you cannot back up
- Freezing on an easy DSA question
- Weak project ownership
- Solid fundamentals
- Working problem-solving
- Genuine project depth
HR Interview
10-20 minCovers motivation, relocation, shift flexibility, and joining logistics. Usually the final, lighter step unless communication or fit concerns arise.
- Tell me about yourself
- Why Tech Mahindra
- Relocation and shift readiness
- Strengths, weaknesses, goals
- Comfort with standard terms
- Prepare a concise self-introduction
- Research Tech Mahindra's business
- Have consistent flexibility answers
- Keep documents ready
- Generic answers
- Inconsistency across rounds
- Appearing inflexible
- Clear communication
- Genuine motivation
- Flexibility
What to master
- Quantitative aptitude and DI
- Logical reasoning
- Verbal ability and grammar
- Spoken English fluency
- CS fundamentals MCQs (OOP, OS, DBMS)
- Easy DSA and one language
- Psychometric consistency
- Resume project depth
Eligibility
B.E/B.Tech in any branch (CSE, IT, ECE, EEE, Mechanical, Civil commonly eligible); typically the most recent pass-out batch, with some listings accepting graduates within 12-18 months. Standard 60% and no-active-backlog norms usually apply. Exact criteria vary by drive.
Tech Mahindra salary & compensation (2026)
Associate Software Engineer is the fresher base with modest pay; premium hiring, network/telecom niches, and U-band promotions drive growth.
| Role / Level | Experience | India — total CTC | US — total comp | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Associate Software Engineer | 0–1 yr | ₹3.25–4.5 LPA | — | Premium/digital hiring pays ₹6–8 LPA |
| Software Engineer | 1–3 yrs | ₹4.5–8 LPA | — | Variable ~10% |
| Senior Software Engineer (U3) | 3–6 yrs | ₹8–14 LPA | — | Laterals in 5G/cloud/telecom paid above peers |
| Technical Lead (U2) | 6–10 yrs | ₹14–24 LPA | — | Niche telecom/network skills lift the top |
| Project Manager / Architect (U1) | 10+ yrs | ₹24–40 LPA | — | Manager/architect track reaches the peak |
How the package is structured
- Base ~85–90% of CTC; variable ~8–12%
- Fresher pay: standard ₹3.25–4.5 LPA vs premium ₹6–8 LPA
- Little fresher joining bonus; laterals negotiate joining pay
- Telecom/5G/network engineering niches and U-band promotions drive the biggest gains
Indicative 2026 market ranges aggregated from public sources (levels.fyi, Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, candidate reports). Compensation varies widely by location, team, level calibration, and negotiation — use these as directional benchmarks, not guarantees.
Your prep plan
- Days 1-3: Aptitude diagnostic and weak-topic rebuild
- Days 4-5: Verbal, reasoning, and daily spoken-English practice
- Days 6-8: Technical MCQ revision plus a few coding problems
- Days 9-10: Full mock (aptitude + technical + communication)
- Days 11-12: Easy DSA and project prep
- Days 13-14: Mock technical and HR interviews
Want this plan dated to your interview?
Upload your resume and tell Whis your interview date — get a personalized, day-by-day plan built around your gaps, then run Whis live in the interview.
Get my personalized planFrequently asked questions
Is the communication assessment really eliminatory?
Yes. The AI-scored communication module has its own cutoff, so weak spoken English can end your candidacy regardless of aptitude or coding scores.
Should I attempt the coding question if I am unsure?
Yes. The technical section's coding question awards partial credit per passing test case, so even a partial solution helps.
What is the SuperCoder challenge?
It is an optional challenge for top performers that can route strong coders toward a premium fresher track with higher pay.
How should I handle the psychometric test?
Answer honestly and consistently. It profiles your work style, and contradictory answers are flagged.
Which batches are eligible?
Primarily the most recent pass-out batch, though some drives accept graduates within roughly 12-18 months. Confirm per listing.
How long does the process take?
Typically about 2-4 weeks from the test to the offer, depending on the drive.