This tutorial presents you with the 20 most basic QA interview questions and answers that every test engineer must know. We’ve compiled this list after deep research and taking insights from experienced testing experts.
If you’re a QA or manual testing professional seeking a new job, this resource is perfect for you. Even if you’re preparing for your first QA interview, these questions can be a valuable asset.
You should regularly go through this list as that’s how you can retain this information for a longer period of time. It will certainly help you grow in your career path.
Top 20 QA Interview Questions and Answers.
Our aim here is not just to give you static data that you can simply memorize. We want you to deep dive into the testing field and learn it practically. So, read each and every answer carefully as this is the key to making you a master of this field.
1. Describe your self-description in the context of being a QA Engineer.
Ans:
Here’s a table with a self-description in the context of being a QA Engineer:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity | QA Engineer |
| Character | – Detail-oriented |
| – Problem solver | |
| – Quality advocate | |
| Skills | – Manual and automated testing expertise |
| – Strong analytical and critical thinking | |
| – Proficiency in testing tools (e.g., Selenium) | |
| Roles | – Testing software for quality and functionality |
| – Identifying and reporting defects and issues | |
| – Creating and executing test plans and cases | |
| – Ensuring product reliability and user satisfaction | |
| Tools | – Utilizes testing tools such as Selenium, JIRA |
| – May be familiar with scripting languages (e.g., Python) | |
| Communication | – Effective collaboration with cross-functional teams |
| – Preparation of comprehensive test documentation | |
| Goal | – Deliver high-quality, bug-free software |
| Certifications | – Potential certifications like ISTQB |
| Adaptability | – Quick learner, adaptable to evolving technologies |
2. What do you understand about the following?
- QA, QC, and Software Testing.
Ans:
Here’s a table explaining the meanings of QA (Quality Assurance), QC (Quality Control), and Software Testing in simple terms:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| QA (Quality Assurance) | Ensures that the processes are in place to prevent defects in the software. It works on the thesis that the bugs shouldn’t occur in the first place. QA is a proactive approach to quality. |
| QC (Quality Control) | Involves reporting bugs and their fixing in the software product. QC is a reactive approach, where the emphasis is on identifying and rectifying issues after they have occurred. |
| Software Testing | It is an organized process to identify and fix defects. This includes several testing types, such as functional, regression, performance, and user acceptance testing, to ensure that the software works as per design. |
This table provides a clear and clean explanation of the key testing terms.
3. What makes a good test case?
Ans:
A good test case is one that is likely to find defects in software. To be effective, a test case should:
- Cover both positive and negative scenarios. This means testing not only for what is expected to happen but also for what is not expected to happen.
- Be atomic. This means that the test case should test only one thing at a time. If a test case tests multiple things, it can be difficult to determine which step of the test case failed if the test fails.
- Be independent of other test cases. This means that the results of one test case should not affect the results of another test case.
Characteristics of a good test case
| Characteristic | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Title | A clear and concise statement of the test case’s objective. | “Verify that the user can log in with a valid username and password.” |
| Purpose | A brief explanation of why the test case is being created. | “This test case is being created to ensure that the login functionality is working correctly.” |
| Description | A step-by-step guide on how to execute the test case. | 1. Enter a valid user into the username field. 2. Enter a valid pass into the password field. 3. Click the Login button. |
| Test objects | The specific features or modules being tested. | The login functionality |
| Preconditions | The conditions that must be met before the test case can be executed. | The user must have a valid username and password. |
Mastering QA interview questions and answers is essential for showcasing your testing expertise.
4. What do you know about a test plan?
Ans:
A test plan is a document that outlines the strategy, approach, and resources needed to test a software product. It is a living document that receives updates throughout the testing process to reflect changes in the product or the testing environment.
Why is a test plan important?
A test plan helps to ensure that testing is:
- Comprehensive: It covers all aspects of the testing.
- Effective: Ensures that the right tests are available to find defects.
- Efficient: Focusses to minimize time and cost.
- Traceable: The results can link back to the requirements.
In general, A test plan is like a roadmap for testing. It helps to ensure that everyone involved in testing knows what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how they are going to do it. Here is a list of key elements in a test plan.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Test objectives | The goals of testing. |
| Test scope | The features and functionality that will be tested. |
| Test approach | The methods and techniques that will be used to test the product. |
| Test environment | The hardware and software that will be used to test the product. |
| Test schedule | The timeline for testing. |
| Test resources | The people and equipment that will be used to test the product. |
| Test risks | The potential problems that could occur during testing. |
| Test assumptions | The things that are taken for granted during testing. |
5. How to decide which test cases to automate and which to test manually?
- Say, you have 1000 test cases. How would you make a plan?
Ans:
When deciding which test cases to automate, it is important to consider the following points:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Test case priority | Firstly, automate those test cases which has a high priority. This is because they are the most likely to find bugs. |
| Feasibility of automation | Some test cases are easier to automate than others. Test cases that are difficult to automate may not be worth the effort. |
| Complexity | Complex test cases that are time-consuming to execute manually are good candidates for automation. |
| Frequency of execution | Test cases that are run frequently are good candidates for automation. |
| Risk | Test cases that cover high-risk areas of the application are good candidates for automation. |
In the case of a test plan with over 1,000 test cases
In the case of a large test plan, it is important to prioritize the test cases and focus on automating the most important ones first. However, first, you should look at the feasibility of automation for each test case. Some test cases may not be worth the effort to automate.
By taking notes of the above points, you can decide which test case to automate and which to test manually.
6. Which devices and platform/OS should you test?
Ans:
The best way to seek which devices, platforms, or OS versions to test is to use a combination of data and analysis. Here are a few ways that you can follow:
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| App analytics | Use app analytics data to identify the most popular devices and OS versions used by your users. |
| App reviews | Monitor app reviews for mentions of specific devices or OS versions that are causing problems. |
| Market share | Consider the market share of different devices and OS versions. |
| Competitor analysis | Look at the devices and OS versions that your competitors are testing. |
| Expert opinion | Consult with experts in mobile testing to get their recommendations on which devices and OS versions to test. |
In a QA interview, concise and insightful answers to common questions can set you apart.
7. How does a test case differ from the use case?
Ans:
In general, a test case is like a recipe for testing a feature whereas a use case is how it interacts with the system.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Test Case | A set of instructions for testing a specific feature or functionality of a software application. |
| Use Case | A description of how a user interacts with a system to achieve a specific goal. |
8. What do you know about Testware?
Ans:
In simpler terms, Testware is everything you need to test software. It includes the tools you use to create and execute tests, as well as the data you use to test the software.
By using the right testware, testers can be more efficient and productive, and they can be more confident that they are finding all of the defects in the software.
9. What is your view on the testing strategy?
Ans:
A testing strategy is a plan for how the validation of software will happen. It outlines the resources, the scope, the schedule, the test tools, the priorities, and the types of tests during a release.
It helps to ensure that software is tested thoroughly and effectively. It can also help to reduce the time and cost of testing.
Benefits of having a testing strategy
- Ensures that testing is comprehensive and covers all aspects of the software.
- Helps to identify and prioritize testing activities.
- Reduces the risk of defect leakage.
- Helps to ensure that testing finishes on time and within budget.
- Provides a basis for communication between testers, developers, and other stakeholders.
10. What does a test plan/test case include?
Ans:
In general, a test plan/test case includes the following data:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Testing objectives | The goals of testing. |
| Testing scope | The features and functionality that will be tested. |
| Testing approach | The methods and techniques that will be used to test the software. |
| Test environment | The hardware and software that will be used to test the software. |
| Reason for testing | The purpose of testing the software. |
| Entry and exit criteria | The conditions that must be met before and after testing can begin or end. |
| Test deliverables | The documents and artifacts that will be produced as a result of testing. |
| Test risks | The potential problems that could occur during testing. |
Effective QA interview questions and answers are your way to prove your testing proficiency and stand out in job interviews.
11. Which strategy can ensure the success of a test automation plan?
Ans:
In order for a test automation plan to succeed, it should follow these points:
- Clearly define goals and risks.
- Capture manual test steps.
- Add checkpoints and loops.
- Handle errors gracefully.
- Fix bugs and verify.
- Report and document results.
12. What does a test driver and stub do? Why do you need them?
Ans:
The stubs and drivers help in making a test setup where you can test a module that is still under development.
| Element | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Stub | A dummy program that imitates the actual software by giving the same output as that of the real one. | To test modules that are not yet developed or are unavailable for testing. |
| Driver | A dummy program that calls a software component for testing. | To provide input to modules that are being tested. |
13. What tasks does a quality assurance engineer do in software testing?
Ans:
They ensure that the software is of high quality. They do this by:
| Task | Description |
|---|---|
| Understand software design | Review and analyze software design documents to ensure that they are complete, accurate, and meet the requirements. |
| Knowledge of source code | Read and understand source code to identify potential defects and ensure that it meets the requirements. |
| Code review | Conduct code reviews to identify defects in the code and suggest improvements. |
| Version control | Manage and track changes to the codebase using a version control system. |
| Program testing | Design, develop, and execute test cases to verify that the software meets the requirements. |
| Integration testing | Test the interaction between different modules of the software. |
| Release process | Manage the release of software builds to ensure that they are properly tested and documented. |
Practice your QA interview question answers to confidently convey your skills and experience to potential employers.
14. Is testing only a tester’s job or should developers also take part?
Ans:
Testing is not just the job of testers, but also the responsibility of developers. Developers should at least perform some testing of their own code. This can help to ensure that the code is defect-free and meets the requirements.
However, no one expects developers to spend dedicated time or resources on large-scale testing. This is where testers come in. It is primarily their job to design and run test cases to verify that the software meets the requirements.
By working together, developers and testers can help to ensure that software is of high quality.
15. Why is Continuous Integration important in both the dev and testing?
Ans:
Continuous Integration should be part of dev and test cycles because it helps catch and fix issues early. It involves automatically integrating code changes into a shared repository and running tests, ensuring that new code doesn’t break existing functionality. This leads to faster, more reliable development, reducing the chances of late-stage problems and improving overall software quality.
16. What do you know about the bug or a defect lifecycle?
Ans:
The bug or defect lifecycle is the sequence of steps that a bug goes through from its identification to its resolution. Here is a quick overview:
Discover: Find and record the bug.
Assess: Evaluate its severity.
Assign: A developer fixes it.
Fix: The developer repairs the bug.
Test: Verify the fixed code.
Confirm: Ensure the bug gets a fix.
Close: Mark it as closed if fixed, or reopen for more work if not.
Document: Record all details for future reference.
17. How does bug leakage differ from bug release?
Ans:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Bug release | The release of software or applications with known defects. These defects are typically low-priority or low-severity defects and are not critical to the functionality of the software. |
| Bug leakage | The occurrence of defects in a released software or application that were not detected during testing. These defects are typically discovered by end users or customers. |
18. What was the best bug in your career as a test engineer?
Ans:
As a test engineer, I’ve found many bugs that were critical in nature. One of them was in a mobile app that caused a serious problem. While saving a picture, the app was unknowingly deleting it from the device. This was a major issue because it not only affected the app’s usability but also posed a risk of users losing valuable photos.
19. What do you know about acceptance testing?
Ans:
Acceptance testing happens in the final stage of software testing before releasing the software to users. The goal of acceptance testing is to ensure that the software meets the requirements and is ready for delivery. Moreover, it is the job of an entirely different team to do it in the same way as a customer would do.
However, there are the following two different ways to do it:
- Inhouse acceptance (alpha testing): It is done in-house but by people who did not directly work on the project. In this testing, a product manager, pre-sales, or technical support can take part.
- Off-site acceptance (beta testing): It is done by product consumers who exist outside the organization developing the product. This could include technical people from the client side or the actual end users.
20. How do you plan testing while working within a team?
Ans:
When it comes to planning testing within a team, it’s important to remember that you’re not working in isolation. You have teammates, and working together effectively is key. Sometimes, working with a team can be challenging due to disagreements or misunderstandings.
However, my approach is to look past these challenges. I believe that we’re all part of a team with a shared goal: getting the work done. To make things smoother, I try to build friendly relationships with my teammates. I might even invite them for a casual coffee or chat. It’s important for us, as humans, to share our thoughts and have open discussions.
With this, we were able to create a more positive work environment, benefiting not only me but everyone on the team. It’s a valuable practice in any workplace.
Summary – Top QA Interview Questions/Answers
We trust you found our rapid QA interview questions session enjoyable. At TechBeamers.com, our utmost goal is to provide the best service to our readers. Our ultimate satisfaction comes from knowing our audience is happy.
In closing, we’d like to address all fellow readers aspiring to become exceptional QA engineers, leaders, or managers. Here is a noteworthy quote about them.
QA engineers may not directly create software, but it is them who ensure it runs without error.
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