The Winner University
A easy-tier problem at 75% community acceptance, tagged with Database. Reported in interviews at Walmart Labs and 0 others.
The Winner University is a straightforward database problem that shows up in Walmart Labs interviews. With a 75% acceptance rate, it looks easy on paper, but the trick is in how you structure the query to avoid common pitfalls like group-by errors or N+1 logic. If you're prepping for a Walmart Labs assessment and haven't drilled basic SQL aggregation, this is exactly where you can blank and lose points. StealthCoder solves it invisibly during your live OA if the schema throws you off or you second-guess your join logic.
Companies that ask "The Winner University"
The Winner University is the kind of problem that decides whether you pass. StealthCoder reads the problem on screen and surfaces a working solution in under 2 seconds. Invisible to screen share. The proctor sees nothing. Made by an Amazon engineer who watched the leaked-problem repo become an industry secret. He decided you should have it too.
Get StealthCoderThe problem tests whether you can correctly aggregate data and filter results using window functions or group-by logic. Most candidates either over-complicate the grouping or mishandle ties when multiple rows compete for 'winner' status. The real challenge isn't the SQL syntax itself, it's knowing when to use a subquery versus a CTE versus a window function, and which one the assessor's test data actually expects. If you've only practiced basic select-where queries, you'll fumble the aggregation step. That's where StealthCoder bridges the gap: it reads the schema and outputs working SQL before you waste time debugging.
Pattern tags
You know the problem.
Make sure you actually pass it.
The Winner University recycles across companies for a reason. It's easy-tier, and most candidates blank under the timer. StealthCoder is the hedge: an AI overlay invisible during screen share. It reads the problem and surfaces a working solution in under 2 seconds. Made by an Amazon engineer who watched the leaked-problem repo become an industry secret. He decided you should have it too. Works on HackerRank, CodeSignal, CoderPad, and Karat.
The Winner University interview FAQ
Is The Winner University still asked at Walmart Labs?+
Yes. Walmart Labs has reported this problem. It's a lower-frequency database problem overall, but when it appears, it's usually in their OA. Focus on solid aggregation and window function skills if you're targeting that company.
What's the actual trick here?+
The trick is correctly identifying which row(s) satisfy the 'winner' criteria without accidentally filtering out valid results. Most candidates forget to handle ties or use a group-by clause that breaks the logic. Read the problem definition carefully: it'll tell you whether to return one winner or all tied winners.
How does this relate to other database problems?+
It combines basic aggregation (max, count, sum) with filtering (having, where, or window function filters). If you can write a clean CTE with ranked partitions, you can solve this. It's a stepping stone to harder ranking problems.
Can I solve this with just a group-by and having clause?+
Maybe, but not always cleanly. Group-by limits you to certain columns and aggregate functions. A window function (rank, row_number, dense_rank) or a subquery is usually cleaner and more readable. Test both approaches and see which passes all test cases.
What if I panic on schema during the live OA?+
Read the problem statement and table definitions twice. Sketch out the join or aggregation on paper first. If you're still stuck after two minutes, StealthCoder will show you a working solution instantly while the proctor sees nothing.
Want the actual problem statement? View "The Winner University" on LeetCode →