15 Multi Tasking Interview Questions and Answers

In today’s fast-paced world, employers are looking for employees who can handle multiple tasks at once. If you’re applying for a job that requires multitasking, you can expect to be asked about your ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers related to multitasking.

1. Can you explain what multi-tasking is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the concept and how you apply it in your work. When answering, try to define multi-tasking as accurately as possible and explain what its purpose is.

Example: “Multi-tasking is when you perform two or more tasks at once. For example, I am currently talking with you while also typing on my computer. This allows me to complete both tasks simultaneously, which helps me save time. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. I would often have to switch between different tasks quickly, but I found that by practicing this regularly, I became quite good at it.”

2. How many types of multitasking are there?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of multitasking and how it can be used in the workplace. You may want to list all the types of multitasking that you know about, or you can focus on the ones that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “There are three main types of multitasking. The first type is called parallel processing, which involves doing two things at once but not necessarily simultaneously. For example, I could be talking with one client while checking my email. The second type is called time-sharing, which means switching between tasks quickly. An example of this would be taking a phone call, then returning to an important project. Finally, there’s serial processing, which means completing one task before moving onto another.”

3. What’s the difference between preemptive and non-preemptive multitasking?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of multitasking and how it can be used in the workplace. Your answer should show that you understand the difference between these two types of multitasking and when each one would be most effective.

Example: “Preemptive multitasking is when you’re able to complete multiple tasks simultaneously, while non-preemptive multitasking is when you switch back and forth between different tasks. In my experience, preemptive multitasking is more efficient because I’m able to get all of my work done at once instead of switching back and forth between projects. However, non-preemptive multitasking can be useful if there’s an emergency or something urgent comes up.”

4. Why do we use interrupt handlers in a multi-tasking system?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of interrupt handlers and how they work. You can use this opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what an interrupt handler does, when it’s used and why it’s important in a multi-tasking system.

Example: “Interrupt handlers are very useful because they allow us to respond to interrupts without having to stop our current task. This allows us to handle any issues or problems we may have while still working on another task. For example, if I’m writing code for a program and something goes wrong with my code, I can use an interrupt handler to pause my coding process so I can fix the issue before continuing.”

5. Can you give me some examples of operating systems that support multi-tasking?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of operating systems and how they support multi-tasking. You can use this opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience with different types of operating systems, including those that support multi-tasking.

Example: “The Windows NT family supports multi-tasking, as does Linux. The Mac OS X also supports multi-tasking, but it’s not quite as efficient at doing so as other operating systems. I’ve used all three operating systems in my previous positions, and I find that Linux is the most effective for multi-tasking because it allows me to run multiple processes simultaneously.”

6. Can you tell me about process states and thread execution in a multi-tasked environment?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of multi-tasking and how it works. It also shows the interviewer that you understand what’s happening behind the scenes when you’re working on multiple projects at once.

Example: “Process states are the different modes in which an operating system can run, such as user mode or kernel mode. Thread execution refers to the order in which processes execute. For example, if I’m running two programs simultaneously, one process will be executing while the other is waiting for its turn. When both processes have finished executing, they’ll enter a wait state until they need to execute again.”

7. What is the best way to switch from one process to another?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to multitask and switch between tasks. It also allows the interviewer to see how you prioritize your work and manage time effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you take when switching from one task to another.

Example: “I find it best to write down all of my current projects on a piece of paper so I can refer back to them later. Then, I make sure to complete each project before moving onto the next. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I don’t forget about any important tasks.”

8. When would you consider using time slicing in a multi-tasking system?

Time slicing is a method of multi-tasking that involves dividing your attention between two or more tasks. This question allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of different methods of multi-tasking and how they can be used in the workplace.

Example: “Time slicing is an effective way to manage multiple projects at once, but it’s also important to use this method only when necessary. For example, if I have several smaller tasks that need to be completed within a short period of time, then time slicing would be useful because it allows me to focus on one task for a set amount of time before switching to another. However, if I’m working on larger projects that require more time to complete, then time slicing may not be as beneficial.”

9. What is a race condition? Are they common in multi-threading environments? If yes, then how should it be handled?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of multi-threading and how it can be used in the workplace. It also allows you to show that you know when race conditions occur, which can help you avoid them.

Example: “A race condition occurs when two or more threads access shared data without proper synchronization. This can lead to errors in execution because one thread may overwrite another’s changes before they are complete. Race conditions are common in multi-threaded environments, so it’s important to handle them properly.”

10. What does context switching mean in a multi-tasking environment? Is it expensive or cheap?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of multi-tasking and how it affects the workplace. Your answer should show that you understand what context switching means, but also why it’s important to avoid in certain situations.

Example: “Context switching refers to the time and energy spent when changing from one task to another. It can be expensive if you’re doing it frequently because it takes time for your brain to switch gears. However, there are times when it’s necessary to do so, such as when you have multiple projects or assignments due at once.”

11. What are the benefits of using a virtual memory system with multi-tasking?

This question is a technical one that allows you to show your knowledge of computer systems. You can answer this by explaining what virtual memory is and how it works with multi-tasking.

Example: “Virtual memory is an extension of the physical memory in a system, which means it’s not actually stored on the hard drive but rather in RAM. This makes it faster than accessing data from the hard drive. The benefits of using virtual memory are that it reduces the time needed for swapping data between the hard drive and the active program, so it improves performance. It also frees up space on the hard drive because it stores inactive programs in the virtual memory.”

12. What is a task scheduler? Does it differ depending on the type of multi-tasking used?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of task scheduling and how it relates to multi-tasking. This is because schedulers are a key component in the process of multi-tasking, as they help users organize their tasks into different categories based on deadlines or other factors.

Example: “A task scheduler is an application that helps you manage multiple tasks by organizing them according to certain criteria. For instance, if you have several tasks due within the next week, you can use a scheduler to group these tasks together so you know which ones need immediate attention. There are two types of schedulers—single-schedule and multiple-schedule. The former allows you to create one schedule while the latter allows you to create multiple schedules.”

13. You have two processes running in parallel over the same set of instructions. One of them fails. What happens next?

This question is a good way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet. It also shows the interviewer that you can prioritize tasks, understand how processes work and react quickly when things go wrong.

Example: “I would first check which process failed and why. Then I would restart it and continue with the other one. If both fail at the same time, I would restart them both again and then monitor them closely for any further issues.”

14. What’s the advantage of having multiple threads per process as opposed to just having multiple processes?

This question is a technical one that allows you to show your knowledge of computer programming. You can answer this question by explaining the difference between multiple threads and processes, then giving an example of when it’s best to use each.

Example: “A process is a program in execution while a thread is a sequence of instructions within a process. Multiple threads per process allow for more efficient multitasking because they share resources such as memory and I/O channels. This means that if two threads are running at the same time on the same processor core, they don’t have to switch between cores as often. Threads also make it easier to write code because you only need to worry about one set of variables.”

15. What’s the difference between a kernel level thread and a user level thread? Which one provides better performance?

This question tests your knowledge of computer architecture and how it affects performance. You can answer this question by defining the two types of threads, explaining their differences and giving an example of when you used each type in a previous role.

Example: “A kernel level thread is a process that runs at the highest priority on the processor. It’s also known as a system thread because it has access to all resources within the operating system. A user level thread is a process that runs at a lower priority than the kernel level thread. User level threads have limited access to resources compared to kernel level threads.”