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Meta·Software Engineer·Technical Phone Screen·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say
Apr 2026

Summary

Meta SQL round, one question about finding the second highest order value. Short session, not much context given about how it went.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Write a query to find the second highest order value from an orders table.

Algorithms & Data StructuresData Modeling
Author's notes

Classic SQL trap people think is easy until they actually write it out.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the table schema and whether duplicates or ties should be considered. Then present a solution using either a subquery with MAX and a WHERE clause or a window function like DENSE_RANK, explaining the trade-offs. Finally, discuss edge cases such as fewer than two distinct values and how to handle them.

Pro tip: Mention that using DENSE_RANK handles ties correctly, but if the interviewer expects a simple subquery, be ready to switch. Also, explicitly state your assumption about distinct values and ask if the table could have fewer than two orders.

1. Clarify requirements and schema

Ask about the table structure (e.g., order_id, order_value) and whether 'second highest' means second highest distinct value or second row when sorted. Confirm if ties should be considered.

2. Choose an approach

Decide between a subquery-based solution (using MAX and exclusion) or a window function (DENSE_RANK or LIMIT/OFFSET). Consider performance and readability.

3. Write the query

For subquery: SELECT MAX(order_value) FROM orders WHERE order_value < (SELECT MAX(order_value) FROM orders). For window function: SELECT order_value FROM (SELECT order_value, DENSE_RANK() OVER (ORDER BY order_value DESC) as rnk FROM orders) t WHERE rnk = 2.

4. Handle edge cases

Discuss what happens if there is no second highest value (e.g., return NULL or empty result). Mention how to handle duplicates and whether to use DISTINCT.

5. Test and optimize

Walk through a sample dataset to verify correctness. If needed, discuss indexing on order_value for performance.

Key Points to Mention

  • Difference between second highest overall vs. second highest distinct value
  • Use of MAX() with a subquery to exclude the highest value
  • Window functions like DENSE_RANK, RANK, or ROW_NUMBER and their tie-handling behavior
  • Handling cases with fewer than two distinct values (e.g., return NULL)
  • Performance considerations: indexing, subquery vs. window function efficiency
  • Portability across SQL dialects (e.g., LIMIT/OFFSET vs. window functions)

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