software testing and automation

Software Testing Interview Questions and Answers

Basic Software Testing Interview Questions (For Freshers)

Q. What is Software Testing?

Software testing is the process of evaluating a software application to detect differences between given input and expected output and to identify defects to ensure the product is defect-free.

Q. Why is Software Testing important?

It ensures the quality, reliability, and performance of the software, reduces the risk of bugs in production, and enhances customer satisfaction.

Q. What are the different levels of testing?

Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, Acceptance Testing.

Q. What is the difference between Verification and Validation?

Verification checks whether the product is built correctly (process-oriented), while Validation checks whether the right product is built (product-oriented).

Q. What is the difference between Manual Testing and Automation Testing?

Manual Testing is performed by a human without tools. Automation Testing uses tools/scripts to execute tests automatically.

Q. What are the different types of software testing?

Functional Testing, Non-functional Testing, Regression, Smoke, Sanity, Black Box, White Box, Gray Box, etc.

Q. What is a Test Case?

A set of conditions or variables under which a tester determines whether a system under test satisfies requirements.

Q. What is a Test Plan?

A document describing the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of testing activities.

Q. What is a Bug, Defect, and Error?

• Error: A mistake made by a developer.
• Defect: A flaw in the system due to an error.
• Bug: The term used for a defect found during testing.

Q. What is SDLC and STLC?

SDLC: Software Development Life Cycle - Phases in developing software.
STLC: Software Testing Life Cycle - Phases in testing software.

Q. What is Regression Testing?

Testing existing functionalities to ensure new changes have not introduced defects.

Q. What is Smoke Testing and Sanity Testing?

Smoke: Basic tests to check if the build is testable.
Sanity: Narrow regression test to verify a specific functionality works.

Q. What is the difference between Alpha Testing and Beta Testing?

Alpha: Internal testing by QA.
Beta: External testing by end users.

Q. What is Exploratory Testing?

Simultaneously learning, designing, and executing tests.

Q. What is Ad-hoc Testing?

Informal testing without planning or documentation.

Q. What is the difference between Severity and Priority?

Severity: Impact of the defect.
Priority: Urgency to fix the defect.

Q. What is a Test Scenario?

A high-level description of what to test.

Q. What is Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)?

A technique that tests boundaries between partitions.

Q. What is Equivalence Partitioning?

Dividing input data into valid and invalid partitions.

Q. What is the role of a QA in a software project?

Ensure quality by planning, designing, executing tests, and logging/reporting defects.

Advanced Software Testing Interview Questions (For Experienced Candidates)

Q. What is Test Automation? Which tools have you used?

Use of software to control test execution and compare outcomes. Tools: Selenium, QTP, JUnit, TestNG.

Q. Describe your experience with Selenium or any automation tool.

Automating regression test cases using Selenium WebDriver, using TestNG for test management, and creating frameworks.

Q. What is Continuous Integration Testing (CI/CD)?

Automated testing triggered on code integration into a shared repository using CI tools like Jenkins.

Q. What is the difference between TDD and BDD?

TDD: Write tests before code (unit-level).
BDD: Test behavior of application using Gherkin syntax.

Q. What is the Page Object Model (POM) in Selenium?

Design pattern that enhances test maintenance by separating test logic from UI locators.

Q. How do you handle dynamic web elements in automation testing?

Using XPath functions, CSS selectors, or dynamic waits like WebDriverWait.

Q. Explain the defect life cycle.

New > Assigned > Open > Fixed > Retest > Verified > Closed / Reopen / Rejected.

Q. What metrics do you use in test reporting?

Test Coverage, Defect Density, Pass/Fail %, Execution Rate, Defect Leakage.

Q. How do you prioritize test cases?

Based on business impact, frequency of use, and risk.

Q. What is a Test Strategy document?

A high-level document outlining testing approach, resources, and scope.

Q. How do you perform risk-based testing?

Prioritize and test areas with high risk and business impact first.

Q. Explain how you conduct performance testing.

Using tools like JMeter to simulate load, monitor response time, throughput, and bottlenecks.

Q. Difference between Load Testing, Stress Testing, and Soak Testing?

Load: Normal load conditions.
Stress: Beyond limits.
Soak: Extended periods of load.

Q. Have you worked with JIRA or other bug tracking tools?

Yes, for logging, tracking, and managing defects and user stories.

Q. How do you manage test data?

Creating reusable datasets, using SQL scripts, or automation scripts to generate data.

Q. How do you ensure test coverage?

Traceability matrix, requirement coverage, and peer reviews.

Q. How do you deal with flaky tests in automation?

Stabilize test scripts, use waits properly, mock unreliable dependencies.

Q. How do you test APIs? Tools used?

Use Postman/SoapUI. Validate status codes, response time, payload, schema.

Q. Explain the concept of mocking/stubbing in testing.

Creating simulated versions of services to isolate testing components.

Q. What challenges have you faced in your testing career and how did you overcome them?

Examples: flaky tests, lack of documentation, tight deadlines. Overcome via communication, prioritization, automation, and process improvements.

Behavioral and Scenario-Based Questions

Q. Describe a challenging bug you found and how you resolved it.

Found a hidden UI bug in multi-browser testing. Reproduced using dev tools, reported with video evidence, and worked with devs to resolve.

Q. How do you handle conflicts with developers regarding bugs?

Stay professional, provide clear reproduction steps, logs, screenshots, and discuss collaboratively.

Q. What would you do if you find a defect in the last stage of the project?

Report immediately, assess impact, involve stakeholders, and retest after the fix.

Q. How do you stay updated with new testing trends and tools?

Online courses, blogs, webinars, community forums, and certifications.

Q. If you find too many bugs in a module, what would you do?

Pause testing, report to the team, suggest rework or early review, and retest after fixes.