Synopsys - interview guide

Synopsys interview questions - a complete guide

Synopsys makes the software for designing chips (EDA tools) - so C++ depth, graphs and digital electronics all come up together here.

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About Synopsys

Synopsys makes EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software - the tools companies such as Intel and Nvidia use to design and verify chips - as well as chip IP and software security. It has large R&D centres in Bengaluru, Noida and Hyderabad.

This guide covers 12 Synopsys interview questions with answers - what each question checks and how to answer it - plus the Synopsys interview process, round by round, a 7-day preparation plan for freshers, tips and the mistakes to avoid.

Synopsys hiring process

  1. Application review and phone screen

    According to Synopsys's careers site, an application review, a phone screen and interviews.

  2. Written test (reported)

    Reported: aptitude, digital, OS, C/C++ output and coding.

  3. Technical interviews

    C++ (OOP, vtables), DSA (trees, graphs), digital/CMOS and puzzles.

  4. HR

    Fit and motivation.

The application review, phone screen and interview steps are listed on Synopsys's careers site. The written test and question topics are based on candidate reports and can change by role.

Sources (checked 16 October 2026): Synopsys Careers. Hiring processes change - read the official notice before you apply.

Synopsys interview questions and answers

C++

  1. 1.How do the vtable and vptr work inside?

    What they're checking
    C++ depth - reported in interviews.
    How to answer
    Each class with virtual functions has a table (vtable) of function addresses. Each object has a hidden pointer (vptr) to that table. A virtual call goes vptr -> vtable -> the right function, at runtime.

  2. 2.When is the copy constructor called, and when do you need a deep copy?

    What they're checking
    Memory and objects.
    How to answer
    When creating a new object from an object, and when passing/returning by value. If the class has a raw pointer, the default shallow copy makes both objects share memory - a double free. That needs a deep copy.

  3. 3.What is the output of code with a static variable inside a function, called three times?

    What they're checking
    Output-type questions.
    How to answer
    A static variable is initialised only once and keeps its value between calls - each call continues from the previous value.

  4. 4.What is the Factory pattern - give an example.

    What they're checking
    Design patterns.
    How to answer
    Hand object creation to a function/class that returns the right type for the input - give it a shape name and get a Circle or Square. Adding a new type is easy.

DSA and EDA

  1. 5.How would you store a chip netlist (gates and their connections) in memory?

    What they're checking
    The data structure of EDA.
    How to answer
    As a graph - gates are nodes, wires (nets) are edges. An adjacency list, and each net with its driver and loads. Compact IDs and arrays for large designs.

  2. 6.Find the longest path (critical path) in a DAG.

    What they're checking
    The algorithm behind timing analysis.
    How to answer
    Walk in topological order; each node's longest distance = max(parent's distance + edge delay). O(V + E). This doesn't work with a cycle.

  3. 7.Is a binary tree symmetric (a mirror of itself)?

    What they're checking
    Trees and recursion.
    How to answer
    Two pointers together: the left subtree's left must match the right subtree's right, and the left's right the right's left. Both null is fine, one null isn't. O(n).

  4. 8.What does logic synthesis do?

    What they're checking
    A basic understanding of EDA.
    How to answer
    It turns RTL code such as Verilog into a netlist of gates, optimising for area, speed and power targets.

Digital, OS and puzzles

  1. 9.How does a CMOS inverter work, and where is power consumed?

    What they're checking
    Device level - reported in interviews.
    How to answer
    PMOS on top, NMOS below. With input 0 the PMOS is on (output 1); with input 1 the NMOS is on (output 0). Power goes mostly into switching (dynamic), plus a little leakage (static).

  2. 10.fork() is called three times in a loop - how many times does it print?

    What they're checking
    An OS output question.
    How to answer
    Each fork doubles the processes - after 3 forks, 2^3 = 8 processes. If the print comes after the forks, 8 times; look carefully at where the print is.

  3. 11.Puzzle: what is the angle between the clock hands at 3:15?

    What they're checking
    Logical thinking.
    How to answer
    The minute hand is at 90 degrees. The hour hand was at 90 at 3 o'clock and moves 7.5 degrees in 15 minutes (0.5 degrees per minute). Angle = 7.5 degrees.

  4. 12.Why Synopsys - why an interest in EDA?

    What they're checking
    Motivation.
    How to answer
    The meeting of software and hardware, and the role of tools behind every chip - mention any VLSI course or tool you have used.

7-day preparation plan for the Synopsys interview

  1. Day 1: C++ - virtual functions, vtables, constructors.
  2. Day 2: C/C++ output questions + design patterns.
  3. Day 3: Trees and graphs (symmetry, topological order, longest path).
  4. Day 4: Digital electronics and CMOS.
  5. Day 5: OS - fork, processes, memory.
  6. Day 6: Aptitude and puzzles.
  7. Day 7: A written test mock + an interview mock.

Preparation tips

  • Understand C++ from the inside - vtables, copying, memory - output questions come up.
  • Graphs and trees are the core of EDA tools.
  • Digital electronics and CMOS basics for both ECE and CS.
  • Solve puzzles while explaining your thinking.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Knowing only C++ syntax, not what happens inside.
  • Rushing and guessing output questions.
  • Not knowing what an EDA company does.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Synopsys hiring process?

According to its careers site, an application review, a phone screen and interviews. Many drives also report a written test.

What is in the Synopsys written test?

According to reports, aptitude, digital electronics, OS, C/C++ output and coding.

Where is Synopsys's India office?

Large R&D centres in Bengaluru, Noida and Hyderabad.

Does Synopsys hire both CS and ECE students?

Yes - CS for EDA software and ECE for design/verification are both commonly reported.

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