Smart Web Solutions

I recently completed a TestGorilla technical assessment focused on WordPress and MySQL.

The test evaluated real-world backend fundamentals including:

WordPress Core & Plugin Development
Database Schema Understanding
SQL Query Logic & Subqueries
Triggers & Functions
Data Integrity & Optimization

Part 1: WordPress Concepts Tested

1️⃣ WordPress Core Architecture

Default post formats
Built-in taxonomies
Default database tables

2️⃣ Plugin Development Fundamentals

Only the main plugin file requires a header comment.

Common functions tested:

plugin_dir_path()
plugin_basename()
plugins_url()

3️⃣ Database Interaction in WordPress


global $wpdb;
$wpdb->query('SQL query');

4️⃣ Options API & Settings API


update_option('option_name', $value);
register_setting();

5️⃣ Hooks System

Action Hooks
Filter Hooks

6️⃣ Security Best Practices

Protect wp-config.php using .htaccess.

Part 2: MySQL Questions Breakdown

Primary & Foreign Keys

Relational tables require proper PK and FK constraints.

Filtering with OR


SELECT * FROM products
WHERE color = 'blue' OR color = 'white';

Second Highest Salary


SELECT MAX(salary)
FROM employees
WHERE salary < (
    SELECT MAX(salary) FROM employees
);

ALTER TABLE Usage


ALTER TABLE stu_data ADD ssn CHAR(10);
ALTER TABLE emp_data MODIFY email VARCHAR(127);

AUTO_INCREMENT


country_id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY;

LIKE Operator


SELECT * FROM emp_data WHERE emp_name LIKE 'A%';

DELETE with Conditions


DELETE FROM world_population
WHERE (country_name = 'USA' OR country_name = 'UK')
AND population < 5000;

Correlated Subquery


SELECT p.player_name
FROM players p
WHERE p.goals_scored <
(
  SELECT AVG(goals_scored)
  FROM players p1
  WHERE p1.player_team = p.player_team
);

NOT EXISTS


SELECT p.product_name
FROM products p
WHERE NOT EXISTS (
  SELECT 1 FROM products_sold ps
  WHERE ps.product_id = p.product_id
);

Subquery with MAX


SELECT emp_name
FROM emp
WHERE emp_salary >
(
  SELECT MAX(emp_salary)
  FROM emp
  WHERE dept_id = 10
);

Key Skills Evaluated

Relational Database Design
SQL Logical Thinking
Subqueries & Aggregations
WordPress Internal APIs
Security & Best Practices

Final Thoughts

This assessment wasn't about memorization — it tested clarity of fundamentals.

If you're preparing for backend roles involving WordPress and MySQL, mastering these concepts is essential.

🚀 TestGorilla WordPress & MySQL Assessment – Breakdown & Solutions