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Python ML Interview Questions

The document contains a list of Python machine learning interview questions and answers, covering topics such as data structures, loops, machine learning concepts, and important libraries. Key concepts include the differences between lists and tuples, types of machine learning, overfitting, and evaluation metrics. It also explains technical terms like activation functions, gradient descent, and confusion matrices.

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Waseem Hassan
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9 views

Python ML Interview Questions

The document contains a list of Python machine learning interview questions and answers, covering topics such as data structures, loops, machine learning concepts, and important libraries. Key concepts include the differences between lists and tuples, types of machine learning, overfitting, and evaluation metrics. It also explains technical terms like activation functions, gradient descent, and confusion matrices.

Uploaded by

Waseem Hassan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Python ML Interview Questions

1. What is the difference between list and tuple?


➢ list → changeable (mutable)
➢ tuple → can’t be changed (immutable)

2. What is a loop in Python?


➢ for loop – used to repeat things a set number of times
➢ while loop – repeats while a condition is True

3. What is the difference between is and ==?


➢ == → compares values
➢ is → compares locations in memory

4. What is a regular expression (regex)?


It’s a pattern used to search or match strings — like finding phone numbers, emails, or
words in text.

5. What is the difference between a Python list and a NumPy array?


➢ List: Slower, can hold different data types
➢ NumPy Array: Faster, used for math, holds only one data type

6. What is the difference between AI, Machine Learning, and Deep


Learning?
➢ AI (Artificial Intelligence) is when we make machines smart — like a robot that can play
chess.
➢ Machine Learning (ML) is a part of AI where machines learn from data — like a program
that learns to recognize cats in photos.
➢ Deep Learning is a part of ML that uses brain-like structures called neural networks —
great for things like voice assistants or self-driving cars.

7. What are the 3 types of Machine Learning?


➢ Supervised Learning – You give the computer both the question and the answer (like
pictures of animals with names), so it learns to guess next time.
➢ Unsupervised Learning – You only give data (no answers), and it finds patterns (like
grouping similar customers).
➢ Reinforcement Learning – The computer learns by trial and error, getting rewards or
penalties (like learning to play a video game).

8. What is overfitting and how can you avoid it?


Overfitting means your model is too smart — it memorizes the training data instead of
understanding it.
How to avoid it:
➢ Use more data
➢ Make your model simpler
➢ Use tricks like regularization, dropout, or early stopping

9. What are some important Python libraries used in AI/ML?


➢ NumPy – for numbers and arrays
➢ Pandas – for working with tables and data
➢ Matplotlib / Seaborn – for charts and graphs
➢ Scikit-learn – for basic machine learning
➢ TensorFlow / PyTorch – for deep learning (neural networks)
➢ OpenCV – for images
➢ NLTK / spaCy – for working with text (like chatbots)

10. How do you deal with missing data in a dataset?


If some values are missing:
➢ You can remove that row or column.
➢ You can fill in the missing part using the average or most common value.
➢ You can use models that can handle missing data (like XGBoost).

11. What is the bias-variance tradeoff?


➢ Bias = model is too simple → misses patterns (bad)
➢ Variance = model is too complex → memorizes training data (also bad)
➢ A good model needs a balance – not too simple, not too complex.

12. What’s the difference between classification and regression?


➢ Classification = predicting a label (e.g., spam or not spam)
➢ Regression = predicting a number (e.g., price of a house)

13. What is an activation function in neural networks?


An activation function helps the network learn complex things by adding non-linear
thinking. It decides whether a neuron should "fire" or not.
Common ones:
➢ ReLU – fast and simple
➢ Sigmoid – good for probabilities
➢ Softmax – used for multi-class classification

14. What is gradient descent?


It's a way to teach the model. It keeps adjusting the model a little at a time to make it
better — like learning by making small mistakes and correcting them.

15. What’s the difference between bagging and boosting?


➢ Bagging = train models at the same time and combine their answers (like Random
Forest).
➢ Boosting = train models one after the other, where each one tries to fix the mistakes of
the last one (like XGBoost).

16. What is a confusion matrix?


Simple Answer: It’s a table that shows how well a model did in classification.
➢ TP = Model said "Yes", and it was really "Yes"
➢ FP = Model said "Yes", but it was "No"
➢ FN = Model said "No", but it was "Yes"
➢ TN = Model said "No", and it was really "No"

17. What is one-hot encoding?


It’s a way to turn words or categories into numbers. Each category becomes a column, and
you put 1 where it belongs, 0 everywhere else.

18. How do you know if your model is good?


Use:
➢ Accuracy – how many predictions were correct
➢ Precision – how many predicted "yes" were really "yes"
➢ Recall – how many real "yes" were found
➢ F1 Score – balance of precision and recall

19. What’s the difference between shallow and deep learning?


➢ Shallow learning – uses simple models like decision trees, linear regression
➢ Deep learning – uses neural networks with many layers (great for voice, images, etc.)

20. How does a decision tree work?


It asks yes/no questions at each step to split the data. It keeps asking until it reaches a
decision.
Like:
➢ Is the color red?
➢ Is the size big?
➢ Then it's a "Truck".

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