Master MySQL: Top 100 Interview Questions to Ace Your Job Search

Introduction

The use of SQL and MySQL is gradually gaining prominence across various industries of different sizes and types. According to the latest data, MySQL is in use by approximately 104,834 verified companies. This underscores the need to plan and stay prepared to prove your readiness and relevant knowledge base on SQL and MySQL to recruiters.

Continue reading to explore the top 100 SQL and MySQL interview questions of varying difficulty levels to evaluate your preparation level.

Practice Questions on MySQL Queries for Interview

Ace your upcoming technical interview with these important MySQL query questions:

Q1. Define a query in MySQL.

Q2. Explain the CREATE DATABASE query.

Q3. List the benefits of parameterised queries in MySQL.

Q4. How does MySQL determine which index to use when running a query?

Q5. How and when does MySQL use temporary tables during query processing?

Q6. How are slow queries optimised?

Q7. Explain the importance of indexes in query performance.

Q8. Define a temporary table in MySQL.

Q9. How are stored procedures used in queries?

Q10. Write a query for finding missing numbers in a sequence.

Q11. How are NULL values handled in queries?

Q12. Explain the significance of ORDER BY in queries.

Q13. Write a query for concatenating first and last names into a full name.

Q14. Write a query for categorising products.

Q15. Write a query for calculating date-wise total sales.

Q16. Write a query to identify repeated email addresses in a given table.

Q17. What is the purpose of using aliases in queries?

Q18. Define a covering index.

Q19. Define correlated and non-correlated subqueries.

Q20. How do transactions affect query execution?

Also Read: Top Data Analytics Skill Required to Get Hired in 2026- Amity Online

SQL Interview Questions for Practice

Supplement your MySQL knowledge with important interview-focused SQL questions from the following questionnaire:

Q1. Define SQL and mention its command types.

Q2. List two key benefits of a stored procedure.

Q3. Define SQL and list its types.

Q4. Differentiate between MySQL and SQL.

Q5. Define RDBMS and state its uses.

Q6. Define aggregate functions. How are they different from scalar functions?

Q7. State the types of SQL JOINs.

Q8. Mention the function of the HAVING command.

Q9. Define normalisation. Differentiate it from denormalisation.

Q10. Name 3 commonly used clauses with the SELECT query.

Q11. List the steps involved in using an SQL cursor.

Q12. Define a foreign key, and state how it differs from a primary key.

Q13. State the kinds of SQL constraints.

Q14. Mention the uses of window functions.

Q15. Define the UNION operator. How is it different from the UNION ALL operator?

Q16. What is the use of partitioned tables in SQL?

Q17. Define entities and differentiate them from relationships.

Q18. Give an example of using triggers in SQL.

Q19. List the SQL normal form types.

Q20. State the four main SQL relationship types.

Also Read: Data Analyst vs Data Scientist: Roles, Skills & Pay

MySQL for Beginners: Practice Questions for Interview

If you are a beginner, the following question set can prove to be a helpful starting point for interview preparation:

Q1. Differentiate between other relational databases and MySQL.

Q2. How is a database deleted in MySQL?

Q3. Define ACID properties in MySQL.

Q4. How would you undo changes during an SQL transaction?

Q5. In which language is MySQL written?

Q6. Define MySQL CREATE VIEW.

Q7. Name the types of MySQL tables.

Q8. Give two differences between a function and a stored procedure.

Q9. List the data types supported by MySQL.

Q10. Define FLOAT and state how it differs from DOUBLE.

Q11. Define the NOT NULL and DEFAULT MySQL constraints.

Q12. Which default port does the MySQL server use? State its use.

Q13. Define an SQL transaction.

Q14. List the steps for adding or deleting columns in MySQL.

Q15. How is data added to a MySQL table?

Q16. How are comments added in MySQL?

Q17. Define data integrity.

Q18. State the importance of collation in MySQL.

Q19. Define SQL injection and explain ways to avoid it in MySQL.

Q20. Define REGEXP.

Also Read: 5 Highest Paying Jobs In Data Science

MySQL Advanced Questions for Interview Practice

If you understand advanced MySQL concepts and are looking for senior roles, the following will be useful for your interview practice:

Q1. How does InnoDB differ from the MyISAM storage engine?

Q2. Explain database replication.

Q3. Define replication lag. How is it monitored?

Q4. Mention three ways of preventing or handling a deadlock.

Q5. Define sharding. List its challenges.

Q6. What are CTEs? Mention their use.

Q7. When should a full table scan be preferred over an index lookup?

Q8. Define a covering index.

Q9. What is CHAR, and how does it differ from VARCHAR?

Q10. Why was the query cache removed from MySQL 8.0?

Q11. Define MySQL Workbench.

Q12. What does ACL stand for? Mention its use.

Q13. How does MySQL differ from PostgreSQL?

Q14. State two disadvantages of MySQL.

Q15. List 5 best practices for MySQL security.

Q16. How does database backup differ from replication?

Q17. Mention the ways for troubleshooting MySQL errors.

Q18. State a few features of MySQL’s latest version.

Q19. How does the integration of MySQL with other programming languages occur?

Q20. How is referential integrity enforced?

Also Read: What is Data Analytics Specialization?

Practice Questions for MySQL-Focused Database Interview Prep

The following questions will help with MySQL database interview preparation:

Q1. Define a database in MySQL.

Q2. What is the SELECT statement used for?

Q3. How does a database differ from a DBMS?

Q4. Define relational database.

Q5. Mention the command used for viewing all databases on MySQL’s server.

Q6. What are MySQL isolation levels? State their importance.

Q7. Name the default storage engine in modern MySQL versions.

Q8. Can a database query affect production performance? How?

Q9. Define a MySQL HANDLER statement.

Q10. How does MySQL handle data compression?

Q11. Define shared lock. How is it different from an exclusive lock?

Q12. Which metrics ensure the smooth running of the database?

Q13. When is buffer pool extension helpful?

Q14. How does MySQL support high availability?

Q15. How is JSON data stored in MySQL?

Q16. Define MySQL doublewrite buffer.

Q17. What is the MySQL data dictionary used for?

Q18. What is the use of AHI in MySQL?

Q19. Define MVCC. How does MySQL implement it?

Q20. How to handle crash recovery in MySQL?

Conclusion

Whether you are doing last-minute revisions or in-depth preparation, keeping these exhaustive SQL and MySQL interview questions handy will help improve your confidence. Consider enrolling in the Database Management using SQL and MongoDB short-term certificate course offered by Amity University Online to advance your skill set and knowledge to help you get the job.

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