Software Testing Interview Questions and Answers
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1. What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing?
Answer:
Functional Testing: Validates the software system against the functional requirements/specifications. The main focus is on the user requirements and whether they are fulfilled. Examples include unit testing, integration testing, system testing, and acceptance testing.
Non-functional Testing: Checks the non-functional aspects of the application such as performance, usability, reliability, etc. Examples include performance testing, load testing, security testing, and usability testing.
2. Explain the software testing life cycle (STLC).
Answer:
Requirement Analysis: Understanding what needs to be tested.
Test Planning: Defining the objectives and scope of testing and planning the activities.
Test Case Development: Creating test cases and test scripts.
Environment Setup: Preparing the testing environment where tests will be executed.
Test Execution: Executing the test cases and reporting defects.
Test Cycle Closure: Evaluating the testing cycle and identifying areas of improvement.
3. What are the different levels of testing?
Answer:
Unit Testing: Testing individual components or modules.
Integration Testing: Testing the integration of multiple components/modules.
System Testing: Testing the complete and integrated software system.
Acceptance Testing: Testing the system against user requirements.
4. Can you explain what a test plan is and what it includes?
Answer: A test plan is a document that outlines the strategy that will be used to test an application. It includes:
Objective: Purpose of testing.
Scope: What to be tested and what not to be tested.
Testing Approach: Methods and tools to be used for testing.
Resources: Roles and responsibilities.
Schedule: Testing timeline.
Deliverables: Test reports, defect logs, etc.
Entry and Exit Criteria: Conditions to start and stop testing.
Risks and Contingencies: Potential risks and their mitigation plans.
5. What is a test case, and what does it include?
Answer: A test case is a set of actions executed to verify a particular feature or functionality of your software application. It typically includes:
Test Case ID: Unique identifier.
Test Description: Summary of what is being tested.
Pre-conditions: Conditions that must be met before test execution.
Test Steps: Detailed steps to execute the test.
Test Data: Input data required for testing.
Expected Result: The expected outcome of the test.
Actual Result: The actual outcome after execution.
Pass/Fail Status: The status based on the comparison of expected and actual results.
6. What is regression testing, and when is it performed?
Answer: Regression testing is performed to ensure that new code changes do not adversely affect the existing functionalities of the application. It is conducted after code changes, enhancements, or bug fixes to verify that the old code still works as expected.
7. What is the difference between verification and validation?
Answer:
Verification: It is the process of evaluating work-products of a development phase to ensure that they meet the specified requirements. It involves reviews, inspections, and walkthroughs.
Validation: It is the process of evaluating the final product to check whether it meets the business needs and requirements. It involves actual testing of the product.
8. Explain the defect life cycle.
Answer: The defect life cycle, also known as the bug life cycle, is the journey of a defect from its identification to its closure. The stages include:
New: Defect is identified.
Assigned: Defect is assigned to a developer.
Open: Developer is working on the defect.
Fixed: Developer has fixed the defect.
Test: Tester retests the defect.
Verified: Defect is verified and closed if fixed.
Reopen: If the defect persists, it is reopened.
Closed: If the defect is no longer present, it is closed.
9. What is exploratory testing?
Answer: Exploratory testing is an approach where the tester actively explores the application without predefined test cases. The tester designs and executes tests simultaneously, learning about the application and using this knowledge to create new tests on the fly. This type of testing is often used to discover new defects that might not be caught by automated or scripted tests.
10. How do you prioritize test cases?
Answer: Test cases can be prioritized based on:
Business Impact: Features critical to the business.
Criticality: Core functionalities of the application.
Frequency of Use: Features used most often by end-users.
Complexity: More complex features that are more prone to defects.
Regulatory Compliance: Features that must comply with regulations.