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Meta·Data Scientist·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

Intermediate
Jun 2026

Summary

Meta DS interview with a SQL-heavy product analytics question. Two parts, both tied to the same schema, which was a nice change from the usual disconnected prompts. Nothing too wild but the second part had more depth than I expected.

Questions Asked (2)

Q1

Given a Surveys table and a Users table, write SQL to calculate the overall response rate to the post-notification survey.

Product Analytics & MetricsData Modeling
Author's notes

Seemed straightforward at first.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

First, clarify the definition of response rate: it is the number of survey responses divided by the number of users who were eligible to receive the survey (i.e., notified). Then, write a SQL query that counts distinct survey responses and divides by the count of distinct notified users, ensuring you handle potential duplicates and missing data appropriately.

Pro tip: Always confirm the denominator: is it all users, users who were notified, or users who opened the notification? At Meta, the response rate is typically calculated as responses divided by notifications sent, so double-check with the interviewer to avoid a wrong metric.

1. Clarify the metric definition

Ask the interviewer to define 'response rate' precisely: numerator (e.g., completed surveys) and denominator (e.g., users notified). Confirm whether to count distinct users or responses.

2. Identify relevant tables and columns

Determine which columns in Surveys and Users indicate notification and response. For example, Surveys might have user_id, survey_id, response_date, and Users might have user_id, notification_date.

3. Write subqueries or CTEs for numerator and denominator

Create separate aggregations: one for the count of distinct users who responded, and one for the count of distinct users who were notified. Use CTEs for readability.

4. Compute the ratio and handle edge cases

Divide the numerator by the denominator, using NULLIF to avoid division by zero. Consider if you need to filter by time period or survey type.

5. Validate and explain assumptions

Walk through the query logic, state any assumptions (e.g., all notified users are in Users table), and suggest ways to validate results (e.g., check counts).

Key Points to Mention

  • Definition of response rate: responses / notifications sent
  • Use of DISTINCT to avoid double-counting users
  • Handling of NULLs and division by zero with NULLIF
  • Importance of clarifying the denominator (notified vs. all users)
  • Potential need to join tables on user_id and filter by survey_id or date
  • Consideration of time windows (e.g., responses within 7 days of notification)

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.

Q2

Using SQL, determine whether users who registered more recently tend to rate notification surveys higher compared to users who have been around longer.

Product Analytics & MetricsA/B Testing & Experimentation
Author's notes

This is where it got interesting.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Write a SQL query that joins the user registration table with the notification survey ratings table, calculates tenure as the difference between survey date and registration date, buckets users into tenure groups (e.g., new vs. long-term), and compares average ratings across these groups. Use aggregation and window functions to compute the metrics and optionally test for statistical significance.

Pro tip: Always consider potential confounders like user activity level or survey timing, and mention that correlation does not imply causation—newer users might rate higher due to novelty or different expectations.

1. Identify relevant tables and columns

Locate the user registration table (with user_id and registration_date) and the notification survey ratings table (with user_id, survey_date, and rating). Ensure you understand the rating scale and any filters needed.

2. Define user tenure

Compute tenure as the time between registration and survey response, typically using DATEDIFF or date subtraction. Decide on buckets (e.g., <30 days, 30-90 days, >90 days) or treat tenure as a continuous variable.

3. Aggregate ratings by tenure group

Write a SQL query that joins the tables, calculates tenure, groups by tenure bucket, and computes average rating and count of responses per group. Use AVG() and COUNT().

4. Compare groups and assess significance

Compare average ratings across tenure groups. Optionally, perform a statistical test (e.g., t-test) using SQL or note that further analysis in Python/R is needed. Consider visualizing trends.

5. Address potential confounders

Mention the need to control for factors like user activity, survey type, or time trends. Suggest segmenting or using regression to isolate the effect of tenure.

Key Points to Mention

  • Use of JOIN to combine user registration and survey data
  • Calculation of tenure using date functions (e.g., DATEDIFF)
  • Grouping and aggregation with AVG() and COUNT()
  • Consideration of statistical significance (e.g., t-test or confidence intervals)
  • Awareness of confounders such as user activity or survey timing
  • Potential need for bucketing tenure or treating it as continuous

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.