We are seeing a surge in the online environments that delivers new challenges for the software testing industry with each coming day. Moreover with the need to be present online to get the products to market and scale up their production often weigh heavily on development teams. Also, the businesses looking to get the most value out of their software development are required keep up the speed as per current software testing trends, including best practices in terms of security and performance.
Software testing primarily focuses on administering the software advancement life-cycle to confirm that the software is reliable and operates according to the necessities. Testing performs an essential part of any software development project. We at Testpreptraining are providing this article that incorporates interview questions and tips to qualify for a Software testing interview. The questions are based on web testing, manual testing, ISTQB, and CSTE certification questions for your testing skills. Let us get started.
1. Define Software Testing.
According to ANSI/IEEE 1059 standard- Software testing is a method of examining a software item to identify the differences among existing and needed conditions (i.e., defects) and to estimate the characteristics of the software item.
2. What are the various techniques of testing?
There are three techniques of software testing:
- Black-box testing: It is a testing procedure based entirely on necessities and specifications. This strategy requires no experience of internal paths or implementation of the software being examined.
- White box testing: It is an examination approach based on code structures, internal paths, and implementation of the software being tested. Also, White box testing usually needs specific programming skills.
- Gray box testing: It is a procedure for software debugging in which the examiner has confined knowledge of the internal aspects of the program.
3. Define Exploratory Testing.
Exploratory testing is a hands-on method in which testers are included in minimum planning and maximum test accomplishment. The planning includes the production of a test charter, a short explanation of the range of a short (1 to 2 hour) time-boxed test work, the objectives, and potential approaches to be utilized.
4. What are the most useful practices for drafting test cases?
- Draft test cases with the end-users prospect
- Write the test steps in a simplistic way that anyone can understand easily
- Cause the test covers reusable
- Arrange the priority
- Give a test case specification, expected result, postcondition, test data, precondition.
- Draft invalid test samples with valid test cases
- Observe proper naming protocols
- Examine the test cases frequently and update them if needed.
5. Describe the purpose of testing in software development.
Software testing works at various times in distinctive software development methodologies. Also, there are two principal methods in software development, viz Waterfall and Agile.
In a conventional waterfall software development design, specifications are collected first. Then a specification report is generated based on the document, which handles the design and development of the software. Ultimately, the testers manage the testing at the completion of the software development life circle once the entire software system is built.
An agile software development design operates in short iterations. You examine the software in correspondence as it is getting built. The developers create a short functionality according to the demands. The testers test it and get consumer feedback, which forces future development.
6. Explain configuration management.
Configuration management (CM) is a method of systems engineering to manage computer systems, system resources, software, servers, and product achievement in a constant state. It serves to record all the changes done in the system and guarantees that the system works as expected even though modifications are made over time.
7. What do validation and verification determine in software testing?
In software testing, verification is a method to approve that product improvement is taking place as per the designations and utilizing the standard development methods. The process includes the following actions:
- Inspections
- Walk-throughs
- Reviews
- Demos
8. What are the various levels of testing?
There are generally four testing levels:
- Unit Testing
- System Testing
- Integration Testing
- Acceptance Testing
9. List popular configuration management mechanisms.
Some of the most popular configuration management mechanisms are Chef, Terraform, Ansible, Puppet, Saltstack, etc.
10. Explain Black-box testing.
It is a standard software testing method that needs testers to evaluate the functionality of the software as per the business necessities. The software is handled as a black box and approved as per the end user’s point of view.
11. What is the goal of risk-based testing?
Risk-based testing is performed for applications and projects based on risks. It utilizes risk to prioritize and maintain the proper tests during test execution.
12. Define functional testing.
Functional testing is a kind of black-box testing. As the name implies, it concentrates on the software’s functional necessities rather than its constitutional implementation. A functional specification refers to the required action in the system, in terms of its input and output.
It confirms the software toward the functional demands or the specification, overlooking the non-functional properties such as usability, performance, and reliability.
13. What if the software is behaving buggy and it can’t really be tested at all?
If the software is extremely buggy, the first task we want to do is to report the bugs and sections them based on Severity. If the bugs are critical then it critically modifies schedules and shows deeper difficulties in the software development method. So you require to let the administrator know about the bugs with precise documentation as evidence.
14. Explain a test case.
A test case is nothing but a collection of circumstances or variables under which a checker will decide whether a system under test satisfies demands or works perfectly.
15. What are the basic problems in the software development method?
Some basic problems in the software development method are:
- Unreliable schedules
- Bad conditions
- Inadequate testing
- Adding new features
- Inadequate communication
16. Differentiate between functional and non-functional testing.
| Functional Testing | Non Functional Testing |
| Executed ere non-functional testing | Executed after functional testing |
| It is based on customer demands | It is based on customers expectations |
| Defines what the product performs | Explains how the product works |
17. Explain a Web server.
Web server comprehends the client/server paradigm where the program works (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) HTTP. In reply to the request of an HTTP customer, the webserver manages client and server-side validation and passes the web content in the style of web pages to the users.
The browsers, like Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc., understand the files saved on the web servers and give the information to us in the style of images and texts with the medians of the internet. Any computer which receives websites should have web servers.
18. What are Quality Control and Quality Assurance?
Quality Control: It includes in product-oriented exercises. It administers the program or code to recognize the errors in the Software Application.
Quality Assurance: It includes in process-oriented exercises. It guarantees the restriction of defects in the method used to make Software Applications. So the mistakes don’t occur when the Software Application is being produced.
19. Define the Intranet Application.
An intranet application is an assortment of private applications that are extended and work on a local LAN server and can only be obtained by the people within the company. It practices a local network to distribute information.
20. Explain usability testing.
It is a testing method where the end consumer is claimed to practice the software to understand if the product is simple to use, to see the customer’s understanding and task time. A perfect way to finalize the customer’s point of view for usability is by practicing prototype or mock-up software throughout the primary stages.
21. What do you understand by Testware?
Testware is a subset of software that incorporates artifacts generated in the test method to perform, plan, and draft texts like expected outcomes, databases, scripts, and inputs. It is employed to describe the materials needed in the test.
22. What is the differentiation between the STLC and SDLC?
SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) deals with the development/coding of the software, on the other hand, STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle) deals with validation and confirmation of the software.
23. List the kinds of defects.
- Wrong: It suggests that demands have been implemented wrongly. It is a deviation from the given term.
- Missing: This is a variety from the designations, an implication that a specification was not completed, or a demand of the customer was not recorded properly.
- Extra: It is a want consolidated into the product that was not provided by the end consumer. It is continually a variance from the stipulation but maybe an attribute wanted by the user of the product.
24. Define traceability matrix.
The correlation between test cases and demands is shown with the aid of a document. This document is identified as a traceability matrix.
25. What do you mean by Static Testing?
Static Testing includes examining the documents to recognize the flaws in the initial stages of SDLC. In static testing, we do walkthroughs, peer reviews, code reviews, and static analysis of a source code by utilizing tools like ESLint, StyleCop, etc.
26. Explain the term QA (Quality Assurance).
Quality Assurance (QA) is employed to encourage customer determination, the organization’s capacity, and work competence. It is a method used in the advancement of products that make certain a level of quality.
QA observes the method to be prepared for project development. It also traces the outcomes of the method to reach the expectations. It aids in checking mistakes and flaws in manufactured products and bypassing problems when presenting products or services to consumers.
27. Define Grey Box Testing.
The grey box is the mixture of both Black Box and White Box Testing. The tester who operates on this kind of testing requires to have a way to create documents. This accommodates the production of better test cases in this method.
28. Explain Positive Testing and Negative Testing?
Positive Testing: It is to decide what the system deemed to do. It serves to check whether the application is supporting the requirements or not.
Negative Testing: It is to finalize what system not supposed to do. It assists to find the flaws from the software.
29. What are some automation hurdles that the SQA team faces throughout testing?
- The flexibility of the test case for automation
- Reusability of automation
- Understanding the automation tool
- Automating complicated test cases
30. On what grounds the acceptance layout is prepared?
Normally, the acceptance document is generated using the following inputs:
- Requirement document: It defines what exactly is required in the project from the customer’s view.
- Input from the customer: This can be conversations, emails, informal talks, etc.
- Project plan: The project plan developed by the project manager also works as good input to conclude your acceptance test.
31. What do all test plan documents include?
The test plan document involves the following:
- Testing purposes
- Test scope
- Reason for testing
- Criteria for entrance and exit
- Examining the frame
- Deliverables
- Environment
- Risk factors
32. What do you understand by coverage and what are the various types of coverage techniques?
The parameter utilized in software testing to determine the extent to which the source code is tested is called coverage. There are three common types of coverage methods and they are:
- Statement coverage: It guarantees that each and every line of source code has been performed and tested.
- Decision coverage: It makes sure that every decision in the source code has been tested.
- Path coverage: Here we guarantees that every possible route by a given part of the code is executed.
33. Define Test Strategy.
It is a high-level document (static document) and normally generated by the project manager. A document that catches the plan on how we move about testing the product and accomplish the goals. It is usually obtained from the Business Requirement Specification (BRS). Also, documents like Test Plan are made by keeping this document as groundwork.
34. Explain a good test case.
In plain words, a good test case is one that detects a defect. Although all test case will not detect defects, therefore a good test case can likewise be one which has all the prescribed specifications and coverage.
35. What do you understand by Test Suite?
Test Suite is a set of test cases. Test cases which have to test an application.
36. List the benefits of destructive testing.
- Defines the quality of welds
- Verifies characteristics of a material
- Contemplates compliance with directions
- Helps to reduce expenses, failures, and accidents
37. Why Selenium is a favored tool for Automation testing?
Selenium is an open-source tool that is applied for automating the tests brought out on web browsers. Because Selenium is open-source, there is no licensing cost required, which is a significant benefit over other testing mechanisms.
38. Define Test Scenario.
Test Scenario provides the notion of what we have to test. Also, Test Scenario is like a high-level test case.
39. What are the causes behind Selenium’s growing popularity?
- Test scripts can be formulated in any of these programming styles: Python, PHP, Java, C#, Ruby, Perl &.Net
- Tests can be sent out in any of these OS: Windows, Linux, or Mac.
- Tests can be carried utilizing any browser: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, or Opera.
- It can be combined with tools like TestNG & JUnit for executing test cases and creating reports.
40. Tell me the different types of software testing.
The several types of software testing are :
- System testing
- Functional testing
- Load testing and stress testing
- Unit testing
- Smoke testing
- Shakeout testing
- Alpha and Beta testing
- Performance testing
- Integration testing and regression testing
- White box and Black box testing
41. Explain Test Bed.
An environment configured for testing. The testbed includes software, hardware, an application under test, network configuration, other related software.
42. Is it probable to deliver 100% testing coverage? How would one assure it?
It’s not possible to achieve 100% testing of any product. But one can follow some steps to come closer.
- Fix a firm limit on the following constituents:
- Percentage of test cases transferred
- Amount of bugs found
- Install a red flag if:
- Test budget is wasted
- Deadlines are breached
- Fix a green flag if:
- The whole functionality gets screened in test cases
- All dangerous and influential bugs must have a ‘CLOSED’ status
43. What are the different elements of Selenium?
Different elements of Selenium are:
- Selenium Remote Control (RC)
- Selenium Grid
- Selenium WebDriver
- Selenium Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
44. Explain how QA is described in the ISO 9000, Clause 3.2.11.
Quality assurance is defined as that phase of quality management that contracts with satisfying the customers according to their set requirements for the software’s quality will be achieved.
45. What are some general problems in Web testing?
- Server Problem, which involves server down and server under maintenance difficulties.
- Database relationship problem.
- Hardware and browser compatibility difficulties.
- GUI (Graphical User Interface) related queries.
- Security-related queries.
- Performance and load-related obstacles.
46. Define Test Harness.
A test harness is the set of software and test data configured to examine a program unit by driving it under modifying conditions which include observing the output with the predicted output. Also, it includes the Test Script Repository & Test Execution Engine.
47. What do you understand by MR and why we are practicing it in testing?
MR stands for Modification Request, which is also known as a Defect report. It is helpful for testing for reporting suggestions/errors/problems in the software.
48. List the various kinds of locators in Selenium.
The locator is an address that recognizes a web element uniquely inside the webpage. Thus, to recognize web elements correctly and specifically we have various kinds of locators in Selenium as follows:
- ID
- Name
- PartialLinkText
- ClassName
- linkText
- CSS Selector
- TagName
- Xpath
- DOM
49. What are the diverse artifacts one can refer to when they write the test cases?
- Functional necessary specification
- User Stories
- Necessary understanding document
- Use Cases
- Acceptance criteria
- UAT test cases
- Wireframes
50. Explain Test Closure.
Test Closure is the note developed before the test team formally ends the testing process. This note includes the total number of test cases, the total number of test cases completed, the total number of defects observed, the total number of defects repaired, the total number of bugs not determined, total no of bugs rejected, etc.
51. What do you understand by Test-Driven Development?
Test-Driven Development focused on creating test cases before writing the actual code which indicates that you are writing the code for the tests before writing it for the application.
52. What are the ways to validate integration?
There are generally three ways to validate the integration:
- Big Bang approach
- Bottom-up approach
- Top-down approach
53. What is the method to resolve issues through software testing?
We can solve issues while software testing by using:
- Record: the errors are logged and recorded
- Control: issue management method is recognized.
- Report: The flaws are reported to the development team
54. Have you previously managed to write the test cases without having any documents?
Yes, there are instances when we have a condition where we have to write test cases without any concrete documents.
In that situation, the best way is to:
- Cooperate with the BA and development unit.
- Dig into emails that have any information.
- Dig into older regression suite/test cases.
- If the characteristic is new, attempt to read the wiki pages or assistant of the application to have an idea
- Meet with the developer and try to conjecture the changes being created.
- Based on your knowledge, identify the test condition and forward it to BA or stakeholders to review them.
55. List the debugging categories.
- Cause elimination
- Backtracking
- Fault tree analysis
- Brute force debugging
- Program Slicing
56. What do you understand by Big Bang Approach?
Consolidating all the modules once and checking the functionality after fulfillment of individual module testing. Top-down and bottom-up are taken out by practicing dummy modules called Stubs and Drivers. These Stubs and Drivers are employed to stand in for wanting components to affect data communication between modules.
57. Explain the differentiation between a test driver and a test stub.
The test driver is a segment of code that designates a software component under test. It is helpful in testing that succeeds the bottom-up approach.
The test stub is a dummy plan that combines with an application to achieve its functionality. It is suitable for testing that practices the top-down approach.
58. What is Server-side validation?
Server-side validation happens where the validation and processing of user inquiries need an answer from the server. To explain it more simply, the user’s input is being transmitted to the server, and validation is performed practicing server-side scripting languages such as Asp.NET, PHP, etc. After the validation method, feedback is transferred back to the client in the form of a dynamically created web page.
When contrasted to the Client-Side validation method, the Server-side validation method is more reliable because here application is guarded against hateful attacks and users can simply bypass client-side scripting language.
59. What is the distinction between Stress testing and Load?
Stress Testing is a method that validates the performance of the system when it produces under stress. To demonstrate, we diminish the resources and check the operation of the system. We first know the upper limit of the system and progressively decrease the resources and check the system performance.
In Load testing, we verify the system behavior under the conventional load. The load can be of simultaneous users or resources reaching the system at the same time.
60. Define Acceptance Testing.
It is also called pre-production testing. It is made by the end-users with the testers to verify the functionality of the application. After victorious acceptance testing. Formal testing administered to decide whether an application is generated as per the demand. It enables the customer to admit or deny the application. Models of acceptance testing are Beta, Alpha, & Gamma.
61. List the steps that one should follow after detecting any defect?
- Log the defect
- Recreate the defect
- Attach the screenshot
62. Define emulator.
An emulator is a device, computer program, or system that works like any other program, system, or device; practicing the same type of input and delivering the same output.
63. Do you have any kind of certification to expand your opportunities as a Software Testing Professional?
Usually, interviewers look for applicants who are solemn about improving their career options by producing the use of further tools like certifications. Certificates are obvious proof that the candidate has put in all attempts to learn new abilities, comprehend them, and put them into use at the most excellent of their capacity. Insert the certifications, if you have any, and do hearsay about them in brief, describing what you learned from the programs and how they’ve been important to you so far.
64. Do you have any prior experience serving in an identical industry like ours?
Answer: Here comes an outspoken question. It aims to evaluate if you have the industry-specific abilities that are required for the contemporary role. Even if you do not hold all of the skills and experience, make certain to completely describe how you can still make utilization of the skills and knowledge you’ve accomplished in the past to serve the company.
60. Why are you preparing for the Software Tester position in our company specifically?
Answer: By this question, the interviewer is attempting to see how well you can influence them concerning your knowledge in the subject, managing all the data services, besides the requirement for practicing structured Software testing methodologies. It is always an advantage to already know the job specification in particular, along with the return and the aspects of the company, thereby achieving a comprehensive knowledge of what tools, services, and Software testing methodologies are needed to work in the role triumphantly.
To Conclude!
For Software testing professionals, the job isn’t easy, but it’s pleasant and worthwhile and there are loads of possible positions out there. These software testing interview questions can help you get one step closer to your dream job. So, prepare yourself for the interview and stay sharp with the nuts and bolts of Software testing. Stay safe and keep practicing!
