85+ Software Testing Interview Questions and Answers

The process of testing a software application or system to find defects and bugs and ensure that it meets the specified requirements is called Software Testing.

Software Testing is crucial because it helps in identifying and fixing defects early in the development process, improving the quality and reliability of the software, enhancing customer satisfaction, and reducing overall costs. 

The different types of Software Testing are Functional Testing, Non-functional Testing like System Testing, Integration Testing, Acceptance Testing, and Regression Testing. 

Verification evaluates work products like documents, design specifications, and code to ensure they meet the specified requirements. Conversely, Validation focuses on assessing the final software product to ensure that it satisfies the user's needs.

Smoke testing is performed to ensure that the critical functionalities of the software work correctly before proceeding with detailed testing. Sanity testing is a narrow, focused testing effort to check if recent changes or fixes have not introduced any new issues. 

Black box testing focuses on testing the software's functionality without considering its internal structure or implementation details. It is also known as glass box or structural testing, White box testing involves testing the software's internal structure, design, and code. 

Regression testing is the process of retesting the modified or updated parts of the software to make sure that the changes have not introduced any new defects and that the existing functionalities still work as expected. 

Retesting involves executing the failed test cases again to verify if the defects have been fixed.  In contrast, Regression Testing is performed to ensure that the modifications or new additions to the software have not caused any unintended side effects in previously working areas. 

A test case can be defined as a set of conditions, inputs, actions, and expected results developed to verify specific functionalities or aspects of the software. It serves as documentation that guides the tester in performing a particular test.

A test case can be defined as a set of conditions, inputs, actions, and expected results developed to verify specific functionalities or aspects of the software. It serves as documentation that guides the tester in performing a particular test.

In most testing methods, testers follow an established testing plan to help find bugs and errors. However, in the Exploratory Testing method, testers evaluate an application randomly, like an explorer, without implementing a testing plan. This is particularly helpful in identifying bugs that were previously missing on other testing methods. It’s like solving a maze and can be quite fun. Any errors detected by them will be noted down for changes.

In this testing method, the testers test an application completely from the start to the finish. It covers all the possible flow to find out whether there are any discrepancies and if the right input is passed between the software application and the systems.

The test report is a document that consists of everything from the testing objectives to the final results. Consider it like the progress report that contains all the details of the testing, which helps in evaluating whether a product is ready for deployment or not. It also helps testers find the status of the project as well as its quality. Other than that, it helps testers take corrective measures since it contains information on product defects as well.

A test suite is a set of test cases developed to evaluate a software’s performance and functionalities. It can be used to test specific features of an application and can be grouped accordingly. This helps the testers to find out which tests should be performed as a priority and which tests can be performed later. By doing so, testers can test the critical features of software first, as well as reduce defects during testing.

A/B Testing is one of the most popular Software Testing methods. It involves testing at least two or more versions of the same application with different features with various users. For example, one group of users will be given a version which we can call Part A, and the other group will be given a different version, which we can call Part B. Hence, the naming A/B testing is a risk-free method of testing. The testers will then collect feedback from both sets of users to find out where their design performs well and where it lacks.

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Manual Testing is a Software Testing approach where test cases are performed manually by a tester without using automation tools. It involves the tester's observation, analysis, and judgment to validate the software's functionalities and identify defects. 

Some advantages of Manual Testing include: 

a) Early detection of visual defects or inconsistencies. 

b) Effective for ad hoc or exploratory testing. 

c) Better suited for usability and user experience testing. 

d) Cost-effective for small-scale projects with limited functionalities. 

e) Flexibility to adapt test cases based on real-time observations. 
 

Some disadvantages of Manual Testing include: 

a) Time-consuming and labour-intensive. 

b) Prone to human errors and inconsistencies. 

c) Limited scalability for large and complex applications. 

d) Difficult to perform repetitive tasks. 

e) Not suitable for load and performance testing. 
 

The process of Manual Testing typically includes the following steps: 

a) Test planning: Defining test objectives, scope, and test strategy. 

b) Test case development: Creating test cases based on requirements. 

c) Test environment setup: Preparing the necessary software and hardware for testing. 

d) Test execution: Running the test cases, recording results, and reporting defects. 

e) Defect tracking and management: Logging, prioritising, and tracking defects until resolution. 

f) Test closure: Analysing test coverage, generating reports, and documenting lessons learned. 
 

Positive Testing focuses on validating that the software behaves as expected when given valid inputs. Negative Testing, however, aims to test the software's ability to handle invalid or unexpected inputs and conditions, such as error messages or boundary cases.

Boundary Testing is a technique used to validate the behaviour of the software at its boundaries or limits. It involves testing values at the extreme ends of the input domain, including minimum, maximum, and edge values, to ensure that the software handles them correctly.

Exploratory Testing is a dynamic testing approach where the tester explores the software's functionalities, features, and user interfaces without following predetermined test scripts. It allows the tester to investigate and identify defects by using their domain knowledge, intuition, and experience.

Regression Testing is the process of retesting the modified or impacted parts of the software to ensure that the changes or fixes have not introduced new defects or caused unintended side effects in previously working areas.

Defect prioritisation is based on factors like severity, impact on business, frequency of occurrence, and customer requirements. High-severity defects that directly impact critical functionalities or pose risks to users are given the highest priority, followed by medium and low-severity defects.

Test coverage can be ensured in manual testing by mapping test cases to the requirements, identifying test scenarios that cover different functionalities, employing techniques like boundary value analysis, comparison testing, equivalence partitioning, and maintaining a traceability matrix to track the coverage of requirements by test cases.   

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Automation Testing can be defined as using automated tools and scripts to execute test cases and validate software functionalities. It involves the creation, execution, and analysis of automated test scripts to enhance testing efficiency and accuracy. 

Some advantages of Automation Testing include: 

a) Faster and more efficient test execution. 

b) Repeatable and consistent test results. 

c) Increased test coverage and scalability. 

d) Better suited for large and complex applications. 

Allows for continuous integration and regression testing. 
 

Some disadvantages of Automation Testing include: 

a) Initial setup and maintenance costs. 

b) Limited effectiveness for visual and usability testing. 

c) Time-consuming for small-scale or one-time projects. 

d) Expertise required to develop and maintain automation scripts. 

e) Inability to handle complex scenarios requiring human judgment. 
 

Some popular Automation Testing tools include: 

a) Selenium: Used for web application testing. 

b) Appium: Used for mobile application testing. 

c) JUnit: A unit testing framework for Java applications. 

d) TestNG: A testing framework for Java applications. 

e) Cucumber: A tool for behaviour-driven development (BDD) testing. 
 

Test scripting involves writing test cases in a programming language or scripting language, which are executed manually by a tester. On the other hand, test automation consists in using automated tools to record, generate, or write scripts that can be performed automatically without manual intervention. 

Record and playback is an approach where automation tools record a tester's interactions with the software and generate corresponding scripts that can be played back later for execution. Scripting involves writing custom scripts using programming languages to automate specific test cases and functionalities.

The Automation Testing life cycle includes steps such as the following:

a)    Planning

b)    Script development

c)    Test environment setup

d)    Script execution

e)    Result analysis

f)    Defect tracking

g)    Maintenance

It follows a similar structure to the Manual Testing life cycle but with an emphasis on developing and maintaining automated test scripts.

Some commonly used frameworks in automation testing include: 

a) Data-driven Testing: Tests are driven by external data sources. 

b) Keyword-driven Testing: Tests are developed using keywords or actions. 

c) Hybrid Testing: Combines elements of both data-driven and keyword-driven testing. 

d) Page Object Model (POM): Organises test scripts by mapping them to web page objects. 

e) Behaviour-Driven Development (BDD): Focuses on collaboration and defining requirements using natural language. 
 

Data-driven Testing is an approach where test cases are designed to use different sets of data. It allows the same test case to be executed with various data inputs, enabling the tester to validate the software's behaviour under different scenarios and data combinations. 

Continuous integration is the practice of regularly integrating and testing code changes in an automated manner. It involves automatically building, testing, and validating software changes as they are made, ensuring that the software remains stable and functional throughout the development process.

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Agile Testing is a Software Testing approach that follows the principles of the Agile methodology. It involves testing activities performed in short iterations or sprints, focusing on collaboration, continuous feedback, and adapting to changes during the software development process. 

Some key differences between Agile Testing and traditional testing include: 

a) Agile Testing is iterative and incremental, while traditional testing follows a sequential approach. 

b) Agile Testing emphasises frequent collaboration and communication, while traditional testing relies more on documentation. 

c) Agile Testing focuses on delivering working software quickly, while traditional testing focuses on comprehensive test coverage. 
 

Some benefits of Agile Testing include: 

a) Early and continuous feedback on software quality. 

b) Faster detection and resolution of defects. 

c) Improved collaboration and communication among team members. 

d) Increased flexibility to accommodate changing requirements. 

e) Enhanced customer satisfaction through frequent software releases. 
 

In Agile development, the tester plays a crucial role in ensuring software quality. They collaborate closely with developers, Business Analysts, and stakeholders to understand requirements, create test cases, execute tests, provide feedback, and actively participate in sprint planning and retrospectives.

A user story is a short, concise description of a specific software feature or functionality from the end user's perspective. It captures the user's needs, their goal, and the benefit they expect from the feature. User stories are used to drive development and testing efforts in Agile projects.

Test coverage in Agile Testing can be ensured by: 

a) Collaborating closely with the stakeholders and the Product Owner to understand user stories and acceptance criteria. 

b) Identifying test scenarios and examples for each user story. 

c) Prioritising and selecting relevant test cases for each sprint based on the highest business value. 

d) Utilising techniques like Exploratory Testing and Risk-based Testing to cover critical areas. 

e) Continuously reviewing and refining test coverage as new requirements and changes emerge. 
 

Test automation is vital in Agile Testing to ensure faster and more efficient execution of test cases within short sprint cycles. It enables the team to continuously integrate and test code changes, detect defects early, and provide rapid feedback for faster iterations. Test automation also helps achieve higher test coverage and facilitates regression testing.

Agile Testing embraces changing requirements through close collaboration between the development team, business stakeholders, and testers. Testers actively participate in refinement sessions, sprint planning, and daily stand-ups to ensure that requirements are well understood and can be adapted quickly. Agile testing also employs techniques like exploratory testing to accommodate changing conditions during the sprint.

Agile testing is a part of Agile development. Agile development refers to the overall iterative and incremental software development approach, while Agile Testing specifically focuses on testing activities within the Agile methodology. Agile development involves the entire development process, including analysis, design, coding, and testing, while Agile Testing focuses primarily on validating the software's functionality and quality.

Agile Testing promotes collaboration and communication by:

a) Encouraging daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and upcoming testing tasks.

b) Actively involving testers in sprint planning, refinement sessions, and retrospectives. 

c) Facilitating regular communication and feedback with developers, business analysts, and stakeholders. 

d) Promoting a shared understanding of requirements and acceptance criteria through frequent interactions. 

e) Utilising collaborative tools and techniques, such as visual boards and shared documentation, to enhance communication and transparency within the team.

 

Test Management is the process of planning, organising, coordinating, and controlling all the activities and resources related to testing. It involves defining the test strategy, developing test plans, managing test cases, tracking progress, and ensuring the overall quality of the testing process.

Some key responsibilities of a Test Manager include:

a) Defining the test strategy and test approach for the project.

b) Planning and estimating testing efforts, resources, and timelines.

c) Creating test plans and schedules.

d) Assigning and tracking test activities and tasks.

e) Monitoring and reporting test progress and status.

f) Managing test environments and test data.

g) Identifying and mitigating testing risks.

h) Managing the testing team and their professional development.

A test plan typically includes the following components:

a) Test objectives and scope.

b) Test approach and strategy.

c) Test deliverables and schedule.

d) Test environment requirements.

e) Test resources and roles.

f) Test entry and exit criteria.

g) Test estimation and budget.

h) Test risks and mitigation strategies.

i) Test metrics and reporting.

Test coverage can be ensured in Test Management by: 

a) Analysing and mapping test cases to the requirements. 

b) Identifying different test techniques and strategies like boundary value, equivalence partitioning, analysis, and decision tables. 

c) Developing test scenarios and matrices to track the coverage of different functionalities and components. 

d) Regularly reviewing and updating test coverage based on changes in requirements or priorities. 
 

Typically, the challenges faced in Test Management include the following:

a) Limited time and resources for testing.

b) Adapting to changing requirements and priorities.

c) Managing and prioritising defects effectively.

d) Coordinating testing activities with other project stakeholders.

e) Ensuring appropriate test coverage within tight timelines.

f) Maintaining and managing test environments and test data.

g) Balancing the trade-off between thorough testing and time constraints.

Test case prioritisation can be based on factors such as:

a) Business impact and criticality of the functionality being tested.

b) Requirement or user story priority as defined by the Product Owner.

c) The risk associated with the functionality or its failure.

d) Frequency or likelihood of occurrence.

e) Customer expectations and contractual obligations.

Tracking and reporting test progress involves:

a) Defining relevant test metrics, such as test execution status, test coverage, defect trends, and test effort.

b) Regularly updating and maintaining test execution status, including the number of tests executed, passed, failed, and remaining.

c) Generating test reports and dashboards to communicate the test progress, coverage, and quality to stakeholders.

d) Conducting test status meetings or providing written reports to inform project stakeholders about the current testing status and any issues or risks.

Defect management involves:

a) Logging defects promptly with all necessary information, such as steps to reproduce, expected and actual results, and severity.

b) Prioritising defects based on their impact, severity, and business impact.

c) Assigning defects to appropriate team members for resolution and retesting.

d) Monitoring the progress of defect resolution and verifying the fixes. 

e) Conducting defect triage meetings to discuss and prioritise defects with relevant stakeholders. 

f) Tracking and reporting defect metrics, such as defect density, open and closed defects, and defect resolution time.

Effective communication in test management can be ensured by:

a) Regularly conducting meetings and discussions with the testing team, development team, and other stakeholders.

b) Providing clear and concise documentation, including test plans, test cases, and defect reports.

c) Utilising collaborative tools like project management software, issue tracking systems, and communication platforms.

d) Actively involving all stakeholders in test planning, progress updates, and decision-making processes.

e) Encouraging open and transparent communication channels to address issues, concerns, or questions.

Continuous improvement in Test Management can be achieved by:

a) Conducting retrospectives at the end of each testing cycle or project to gather feedback and identify areas of improvement. 

b) Encouraging the testing team to provide suggestions and ideas for process enhancements. 

c) Analysing test metrics and identifying trends and patterns to identify areas for improvement. 

d) Actively seeking and adopting industry best practices and new testing methodologies. 

e) Investing in training and skill development programs for the testing team. 

f) Establishing a culture of learning and knowledge sharing within the team.