Top 35+ SQL Interview Questions for Freshers

SQL Interview Questions for Freshers: Whether you’re prepping for your first database-related job or just brushing up your skills, SQL is something every IT aspirant must master. And let’s be honest, interviews can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re not sure what kind of questions to expect.

In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common and practical SQL interview questions for freshers. From basic concepts to real-world applications, this guide will help you understand the interview questions for SQL for freshers and build the confidence you need.

We’ll also sprinkle in some tips, quotes from hiring experts, and guidance on relevant courses from Zenoffi E-Learning Labb to take your learning to the next level!

Why SQL Skills Matter for Freshers?

“SQL is the language of data. Without knowing SQL, you’re flying blind in the world of data.” — Jeffrey Aven, Data Expert

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard programming language used to manage and manipulate relational databases. For freshers, it’s often a make-or-break topic in interviews, especially for roles in Data Analytics, Data Science, and Software Development.

Companies hiring freshers expect you to:

• Know basic SQL commands
• Understand how databases work
• Be able to write simple queries

Top SQL Interview Questions for Freshers (With Answers)

1. What is SQL and why is it used?

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It’s used to communicate with databases—whether it’s fetching data, updating records, or managing permissions.

Example: Imagine you’re working at a bank, and your boss wants a list of customers who opened accounts in the last 3 months. SQL helps you retrieve that info in seconds.

2. What is the difference between WHERE and HAVING clause?

• WHERE filters rows before grouping.
• HAVING filters after grouping with GROUP BY.

SELECT department, COUNT(*)

FROM employees

GROUP BY department

HAVING COUNT(*) > 5;

3. What is a primary key? Can a table have more than one primary key?

A primary key is a column that uniquely identifies each record in a table. No, a table can have only one primary key, though it can be a composite key made up of multiple columns.

4. Explain the different types of JOINs in SQL.

There are mainly four types:

• INNER JOIN
• LEFT JOIN
• RIGHT JOIN
• FULL OUTER JOIN

Each JOIN helps pull data from two or more tables based on related columns.

5. Write a query to find the second highest salary from an Employee table.

SELECT MAX(salary)

FROM employees

WHERE salary < (SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees);

This one falls under sql query interview questions for freshers and is frequently asked in service-based company interviews like TCS and Wipro.

Other Frequently Asked SQL Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Here are more quick-hitting questions:

• What is the difference between DELETE, TRUNCATE, and DROP?
• What is normalization? Why is it important?
• Explain foreign key with an example.
• What is a subquery? Write an example.
• How do you find duplicate records in a table?

Practical and Scenario-Based SQL Questions

These sql practical interview questions help employers judge how well you can apply concepts:

1. Find employees who earn more than their manager.
2. List departments with more than 10 employees.
3. Display the name of employees who joined in the last 6 months.

These questions require you to combine multiple SQL clauses and think logically.

Practice with real data here:

Use open datasets or mock databases online to run queries. It’s not just about knowing the syntax, it’s about knowing when and how to use it.

Recommended site: https://mockaroo.com – Generate free sample datasets for practice.

SQL Interview Questions for Freshers

1. What are the different types of SQL statements?
2. What is the difference between CHAR and VARCHAR data types?
3. How do you use the BETWEEN operator in SQL?
4. What are aliases in SQL? How do they help?
5. How do you retrieve unique records from a table?
6. What is the difference between IS NULL and = NULL?
7. What does ORDER BY do? Can you sort in descending order?
8. What is the purpose of DISTINCT in SQL?
9. What is a constraint in SQL?
10. What is the syntax of the CREATE TABLE command?

SQL Basic Interview Questions for Freshers

11. What is the difference between COUNT(*) and COUNT(column_name)?
12. How does GROUP BY work in SQL?
13. What is the default sorting order in SQL?
14. How do you write a nested query?
15. Can we use WHERE with GROUP BY?
16. What is a self join? Give an example.
17. How do you fetch the last 5 records in SQL?
18. How do you find the maximum salary from each department?
19. What’s the difference between EXISTS and IN?
20. Can we insert multiple rows in a single SQL query?

SQL Query Interview Questions for Freshers

21. Write a query to list all employees who do not have a manager.
22. Write a query to fetch common records from two tables.
23. Write a query to remove duplicate rows from a table.
24. Write a SQL query to count employees in each department.
25. Write a query to fetch employee names with their department names using JOIN.

SQL Practical/Scenario-Based Questions

26. How would you update the salary of employees who joined before 2020 by 10%?
27. How do you delete all records from a table without deleting the table?
28. If a table has 1 million records, how would you improve query performance?
29. How can you find records that appear more than once in a column?
30. Write a SQL query to fetch the top 3 earners from the Employee table.

SQL Interview Questions for Developers and Experienced Candidates

While this blog focuses on freshers, if you’re applying for roles with 1–2 years of experience, expect to see these sql interview questions for experienced:

• Explain indexing. How does it improve performance?
• What are stored procedures and when would you use them?
• Write a recursive query in SQL.
• Difference between ROW_NUMBER() and RANK().
• Optimize a query that takes too long to execute.

These are also relevant if you’re eyeing positions in full-stack or backend development. Yes, even developers are quizzed on sql interview questions for developers in their interviews.

Most Asked SQL Interview Questions (2025 Edition)

Let’s list down the sql most asked interview questions recruiters are throwing around this year:

• What is the difference between UNION and UNION ALL?
• How do you handle NULL values in SQL?
• Explain different types of constraints in SQL.
• What is a trigger?
• Explain CASE statement with example.

How to Prepare for SQL Interviews?

Here’s a step-by-step approach:

1. Understand the concepts: Please don’t just memorize answers. Understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
2. Practice queries daily: Spend at least 30 minutes writing SQL queries on tools like MySQL Workbench or online SQL editors.
3. Mock interviews: Partner with a friend or use interview platforms.
4. Try a course: Enrol in beginner-friendly SQL courses to bridge gaps.

Recommended Courses from Zenoffi E-Learning Labb

Whether you’re a fresher or someone planning to shift careers, Ze Learning Labb offers practical, job-oriented programs:

Data Analytics Course

Learn SQL, Excel, and BI Tools with hands-on projects. Great for those entering the analytics field.

Data Science Program

Covers SQL, Python, ML, and real datasets. Perfect if you’re eyeing roles in AI or automation.

Digital Marketing Program

Even marketers today need SQL to segment data and analyse campaign performance. You can check out the latest courses at Ze Learning Labb

Interactive Practice: Can You Answer These?

Let’s test your basics. Try answering these in your notebook:

1. Write a query to fetch employees from the “HR” department earning more than ₹50,000.
2. Find the average salary per department.
3. Display the names of employees who joined before 2020.
4. What’s the difference between IN and BETWEEN?

Drop your answers in the comments or share with a friend and quiz each other!

On A Final Note…

So, that’s our detailed blog on sql interview questions for freshers! If you’re stepping into the world of tech, SQL is one of the best skills to master. It’s easy to start, relevant across multiple job roles, and helps you understand how businesses work with data.

With a mix of sql interview questions and answers for freshers, sql basic interview questions for freshers, and even sql query interview questions for freshers, you now have the blueprint to crack your next interview.

Final Words? Start small, stay curious, and keep practicing. And hey, don’t just stop here. Upskill with Zenoffi E-Learning Labb, polish your resume, and walk into your interview with confidence.

Let your first job in tech begin with the right answers. ALL THE BEST from the ZELL Team! We are rooting for you.