Introduction – Why API Testing Is Important in Interviews
In today’s software systems, backend APIs power everything—from mobile applications and web portals to integrations with third-party services. That’s why interviewers increasingly ask api testing in manual testing interview questions to evaluate whether candidates understand how applications work behind the user interface.
API testing knowledge has become an important skill for manual testers because it helps them validate application functionality directly at the backend layer, identify defects earlier, and better understand system behavior.
Why API Testing Matters for Manual Testers
For manual testers, API knowledge demonstrates the ability to:
Validate Business Logic Without UI Dependency
- Verify application functionality directly through APIs.
- Test features even before the UI is available.
- Identify backend issues that may not be visible through the frontend.
Catch Defects Earlier in the SDLC
- Detect issues during development stages.
- Reduce dependency on end-to-end UI testing.
- Improve overall testing efficiency and quality.
Test Integrations and Data Flow
- Verify communication between systems and services.
- Validate request and response data.
- Ensure proper data flow across applications.
Communicate Better with Developers
- Understand API requests and responses.
- Participate in technical discussions more effectively.
- Collaborate efficiently during defect analysis and troubleshooting.
What Is API Testing? (Clear & Simple)
API testing is a type of software testing that validates the functionality, reliability, performance, and security of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) by sending requests and verifying responses.
Instead of testing the graphical user interface (UI), API testing focuses on backend communication between systems. APIs act as intermediaries that allow different software applications to exchange data and communicate with each other.
API testing verifies whether APIs:
- Return correct responses
- Process requests accurately
- Handle errors properly
- Maintain security standards
- Perform efficiently under load conditions
Why API Testing Is Important
Modern applications depend heavily on APIs for communication between:
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- Databases
- Third-party services
- Cloud platforms
If APIs fail, important business operations may stop functioning properly.
Areas Validated in API Testing
Functional Validation
Checks whether APIs work according to business requirements.
Data Validation
Ensures API responses contain accurate data.
Error Handling
Validates how APIs behave under invalid conditions.
Security Validation
Checks authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Performance Validation
Measures response time and scalability.
Example
Sending a GET request to:
/users/1
and validating whether the correct user details are returned in the response.
Real-Time Scenario
In a banking application, API testing verifies whether account balance APIs return accurate balance information after successful authentication.
REST vs SOAP vs GraphQL
| Feature | REST | SOAP | GraphQL |
| Type | Architectural style | Protocol | Query language |
| Data format | JSON | XML | JSON |
| Performance | Fast & lightweight | Slower | Optimized |
| Flexibility | High | Low | Very high |
| Usage | Most modern apps | Legacy systems | Modern frontend apps |
70+ API Testing in Manual Testing Interview Questions & Answers
Basic API Testing Questions (Freshers)
1. What is API testing in manual testing?
Manual API testing is the process of validating APIs by manually sending requests and examining responses without using automation scripts. Testers use tools such as Postman, SoapUI, or curl to interact directly with APIs and verify whether the backend functionality works as expected.
Unlike UI testing, API testing focuses on the business logic, data processing, and communication between systems. Manual API testing helps testers identify issues earlier in the software development lifecycle because APIs can often be tested before the user interface is available.
Key validations include:
- Status codes
- Response body data
- Headers
- Authentication
- Response time
- Error handling
Manual API testing is considered an essential skill for modern QA professionals.
2. Why is API testing important for manual testers?
API testing is important because it allows testers to validate application functionality directly at the backend layer without depending on the user interface.
Benefits include:
- Early defect detection
- Faster testing
- Validation of business logic
- Better understanding of system behavior
- Reduced dependency on UI testing
- Improved communication with developers
Since most modern applications rely heavily on APIs, manual testers who understand API testing are often more effective in identifying defects and validating integrations.
3. What is an API?
API stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a mechanism that allows two software systems to communicate and exchange information.
For example:
- A mobile application sends a request to a backend API.
- The API processes the request.
- The API returns a response to the mobile application.
APIs act as intermediaries between clients and servers, enabling applications to share data and functionality securely and efficiently.
4. What tools are commonly used for manual API testing?
Several tools are widely used for manual API testing.
Popular tools include:
- Postman
- SoapUI
- curl
- Insomnia
- Swagger UI
Among these, Postman is the most commonly used tool because of its user-friendly interface, environment management, and support for request validation.
5. What is an endpoint?
An endpoint is a specific URL where an API receives requests and returns responses.
Example:
GET https://api.company.com/users/101
In this example:
- Base URL = https://api.company.com
- Endpoint = /users/101
Each endpoint typically represents a specific resource or operation within the application.
6. What is a request payload?
A request payload is the data sent from a client to a server, usually in POST, PUT, or PATCH requests.
Example:
{
“name”: “Srushti”,
“email”: “srushti@test.com”
}
The server processes the payload and performs the requested operation, such as creating or updating a record.
Manual testers verify whether payloads are accepted, rejected, or processed correctly.
7. What is a response payload?
A response payload is the data returned by the server after processing an API request.
Example:
{
“id”: 101,
“name”: “Srushti”,
“status”: “ACTIVE”
}
Manual testers validate:
- Response data accuracy
- Required fields
- Business rules
- Data types
- Error messages
Response validation is one of the most important API testing activities.
8. What are HTTP headers?
HTTP headers are metadata sent along with requests and responses.
Common headers include:
Content-Type: application/json
Authorization: Bearer token
Accept: application/json
Headers provide information about:
- Data format
- Authentication
- Content negotiation
- Caching behavior
Manual testers frequently validate headers during API testing.
9. What is Content-Type?
Content-Type is an HTTP header that specifies the format of data being sent or received.
Examples:
Content-Type: application/json
Content-Type: application/xml
The server uses this information to correctly interpret request data.
Incorrect Content-Type values can cause API failures or unexpected behavior.
10. What is statelessness in REST?
Statelessness is a key REST principle where every request contains all information required for processing.
The server does not remember previous requests.
Benefits include:
- Better scalability
- Improved performance
- Simpler architecture
- Easier maintenance
For example, authentication tokens must be included in every request rather than relying on server-side session storage.
REST API Interview Questions
11. Which HTTP methods are commonly used?
The most common HTTP methods are:
- GET – Retrieve data
- POST – Create data
- PUT – Replace data
- PATCH – Partially update data
- DELETE – Remove data
Understanding these methods is fundamental for API testing interviews.
12. Difference between GET and POST?
GET is used to retrieve data from a server.
Example:
GET /users/101
POST is used to create new resources.
Example:
POST /users
Key differences:
- GET retrieves data
- POST creates data
- GET is generally cacheable
- POST contains a request payload
13. Difference between PUT and PATCH?
PUT replaces an entire resource.
Example:
{
“name”: “Srushti”,
“role”: “QA Engineer”
}
PATCH updates only selected fields.
Example:
{
“role”: “Senior QA Engineer”
}
PUT performs complete replacement, while PATCH performs partial updates.
14. What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format commonly used in REST APIs.
Example:
{
“id”: 101,
“name”: “Srushti”,
“role”: “QA Engineer”
}
Advantages include:
- Easy readability
- Lightweight structure
- Fast parsing
- Platform independence
Most REST APIs use JSON as their default data format.
15. What is a query parameter?
A query parameter is added after the question mark (?) in a URL to filter or customize results.
Example:
GET /users?page=2&status=active
Query parameters are frequently used for filtering, searching, sorting, and pagination.
16. What is a path parameter?
A path parameter is a dynamic value embedded directly within the URL path.
Example:
GET /users/101
Here, 101 is a path parameter representing a specific user.
17. What is pagination?
Pagination is the process of dividing large datasets into smaller pages.
Example:
GET /users?page=1&size=20
Benefits include:
- Faster response times
- Better performance
- Reduced server load
- Improved user experience
Manual testers validate page sizes, page counts, and navigation behavior.
18. What is API versioning?
API versioning is a strategy used to manage API changes while maintaining compatibility.
Examples:
/api/v1/users
/api/v2/users
Versioning allows developers to introduce new features without affecting existing clients.
19. What is idempotency?
Idempotency means that executing the same request multiple times produces the same outcome.
Example:
PUT /users/101
Repeated execution results in the same resource state.
GET, PUT, and DELETE are typically idempotent operations.
20. What is caching in REST APIs?
Caching is a mechanism that stores API responses temporarily to reduce server load and improve performance.
Benefits include:
- Faster responses
- Reduced network traffic
- Better scalability
- Improved user experience
Caching behavior is often controlled through HTTP headers.
Manual API Testing Using Postman
21. What is Postman?
Postman is a widely used API testing tool that allows testers to send requests, validate responses, and manage API collections.
Features include:
- API request creation
- Response validation
- Environment management
- Collection execution
- Authentication support
- Basic automation capabilities
It is one of the most commonly used tools in API testing interviews.
22. What is a Postman collection?
A Postman collection is a group of related API requests organized together for easier management and execution.
Benefits include:
- Better organization
- Request reusability
- Easier execution
- Simplified sharing
Collections are commonly used for regression testing and API workflow validation.
23. What is a Postman environment?
A Postman environment is a set of variables associated with a specific testing environment.
Examples:
- QA
- Staging
- Production
Environment variables allow testers to switch between environments without modifying requests manually.
24. What are environment variables?
Environment variables are reusable values stored within Postman environments.
Examples:
baseUrl
token
userId
Benefits include:
- Reduced duplication
- Easier maintenance
- Better flexibility
Variables are commonly used for URLs, authentication tokens, and dynamic data.
25. How do you validate API responses manually in Postman?
Manual validation typically involves verifying:
- Status code
- Response body
- Response headers
- Response time
- Business logic
Example checks:
- Status code is 200
- Required fields exist
- Values are correct
- Response format is valid
26. How do you test headers in Postman?
Headers can be validated by examining the response header section.
Common validations include:
- Content-Type
- Authorization
- Cache-Control
- Custom application headers
Example:
Content-Type: application/json
The returned values should match application requirements.
27. What is API chaining in manual testing?
API chaining is the process of using data from one API response in another API request.
Example:
- Login API generates a token.
- Extract the token.
- Pass the token to a secured API.
- Validate the response.
This mirrors real-world business workflows and integration testing scenarios.
28. How do you handle authentication APIs manually?
Authentication can be handled using:
- Bearer Tokens
- API Keys
- Basic Authentication
- OAuth 2.0
Example:
Authorization: Bearer abc123xyz
Manual testers verify both successful and unsuccessful authentication scenarios.
29. What is Newman (basic awareness)?
Newman is the command-line runner for Postman collections.
It allows testers to:
- Execute collections outside Postman
- Generate reports
- Integrate with CI/CD pipelines
- Schedule executions
Although primarily used for automation, manual testers are often expected to have basic awareness of Newman.
30. How do you test negative scenarios manually?
Negative testing verifies how APIs behave when invalid input is provided.
Examples include:
- Invalid payloads
- Missing required fields
- Missing headers
- Incorrect authentication
- Invalid query parameters
- Wrong endpoints
Expected validations include:
- Appropriate error messages
- Correct status codes
- Proper error handling
Negative testing is important because it verifies application robustness and security.
SOAP & XML Interview Questions 31. What is SOAP?
SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) is a protocol used for exchanging structured information between applications over a network. It uses XML as its message format and follows a strict set of standards for communication.
Unlike REST, SOAP relies on predefined contracts and supports advanced features such as security, transactions, and reliability.
Key characteristics of SOAP:
- XML-based communication
- Platform independent
- Protocol-driven architecture
- Built-in security standards
- Supports formal service contracts
SOAP is still commonly used in industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and enterprise applications.
32. What is WSDL?
WSDL (Web Services Description Language) is an XML document that describes a SOAP web service.
It acts as a contract between the client and server by defining:
- Available operations
- Request formats
- Response formats
- Service endpoints
- Communication protocols
- Data types
WSDL helps testers and developers understand how to interact with a SOAP service and is often used by tools such as SoapUI to generate requests automatically.
33. How do you test SOAP APIs manually?
SOAP APIs are tested manually by sending XML requests and validating XML responses using tools such as SoapUI or Postman.
Typical testing process:
- Obtain the WSDL file.
- Understand available operations.
- Create XML request messages.
- Send requests to the SOAP endpoint.
- Validate XML responses.
- Verify business rules and error handling.
Example activities include:
- Functional testing
- Negative testing
- Authentication testing
- XML validation
- Response verification
SOAP API testing requires a basic understanding of XML structure and XPath.
34. How do you validate XML responses?
XML responses are validated by checking:
- XML nodes
- Element values
- Attributes
- XML structure
- Schema compliance
- Business rules
Example Response:
<response>
<status>SUCCESS</status>
</response>
Validation checklist:
- Verify the status node exists.
- Verify the status value equals SUCCESS.
- Verify required elements are present.
- Validate XML structure against schema if applicable.
Manual testers often use XPath expressions and SoapUI assertions to validate XML responses efficiently.
HTTP Status Codes – Must Know
35. What are HTTP status codes?
HTTP status codes are standard response codes returned by a server to indicate whether a request was successful, failed, or requires additional action.
Understanding status codes is essential for API testing because they provide immediate feedback about request execution.
| Status Code | Meaning |
| 200 | OK |
| 201 | Created |
| 204 | No Content |
| 400 | Bad Request |
| 401 | Unauthorized |
| 403 | Forbidden |
| 404 | Not Found |
| 409 | Conflict |
| 500 | Internal Server Error |
36. What does HTTP 200 OK mean?
HTTP 200 indicates that the request was processed successfully and the server returned the expected response.
Example:
GET /users/101
Expected validation:
- Status code equals 200.
- Response data is correct.
- Required fields are present.
A 200 response confirms successful request processing but does not guarantee business correctness, so response validation is still required.
37. What does HTTP 201 Created mean?
HTTP 201 indicates that a new resource was successfully created.
Example:
POST /users
Common validations include:
- Status code equals 201.
- Resource ID is generated.
- Success message is returned.
- Resource is created correctly.
This status code is frequently used in create operations.
38. What does HTTP 204 No Content mean?
HTTP 204 indicates that the request was successful but no response body is returned.
Common example:
DELETE /users/101
Expected result:
204 No Content
This status code is often used after successful delete operations.
39. What does HTTP 400 Bad Request mean?
HTTP 400 indicates that the client sent an invalid request.
Possible causes:
- Invalid JSON
- Missing fields
- Wrong data types
- Validation failures
Manual testers should verify that meaningful error messages are returned.
40. What does HTTP 401 Unauthorized mean?
HTTP 401 indicates that authentication credentials are missing or invalid.
Common scenarios:
- Missing token
- Invalid token
- Expired token
- Incorrect credentials
Authentication testing frequently involves validating 401 responses.
41. What does HTTP 403 Forbidden mean?
HTTP 403 indicates that the user is authenticated but lacks permission to access the requested resource.
Example:
- Viewer attempting admin operations
Expected response:
403 Forbidden
Role-based access control testing often focuses on 403 validations.
42. What does HTTP 404 Not Found mean?
HTTP 404 indicates that the requested resource does not exist.
Example:
GET /users/999999
Expected response:
404 Not Found
This is a common negative testing scenario.
43. What does HTTP 409 Conflict mean?
HTTP 409 indicates a conflict with the current state of the resource.
Example:
Creating a user with an email address that already exists.
Expected response:
409 Conflict
Manual testers often validate duplicate record scenarios using this status code.
44. What does HTTP 500 Internal Server Error mean?
HTTP 500 indicates an unexpected server-side error.
Possible causes:
- Application failures
- Database issues
- Unhandled exceptions
- Configuration problems
When a 500 error occurs, testers should collect request and response details and report the issue with sufficient evidence.
Real-Time API Validation Example (Manual Testing)
45. How would you manually validate a User Creation API?
Request:
POST /api/users
Payload:
{
“email”: “test@example.com“,
“password”: “Test@123”
}
Response:
{
“id”: 501,
“message”: “User created successfully”
}
Manual validation checklist:
- Status code should be 201.
- ID should not be null.
- Success message should match expected text.
- Response structure should be valid.
- Response time should be acceptable.
- User creation should be successful from a business perspective.
This is one of the most common API testing interview scenarios.
Automation Awareness (Interview Advantage)
46. Why should manual testers have automation awareness?
Even for manual testing roles, interviewers appreciate candidates who understand basic automation concepts because modern QA teams often combine manual and automated testing approaches.
Benefits include:
- Better career growth
- Easier transition to automation
- Improved understanding of API validation
- Stronger technical discussions
Basic awareness is usually sufficient for manual testing interviews.
47. What is a basic Postman test script?
Example:
pm.response.to.have.status(201);
This script validates that the API response status code equals 201.
Manual testers are not expected to write complex scripts but should understand their purpose.
48. What automation concepts should you know in SoapUI?
Basic awareness topics include:
- XPath assertions
- JSONPath assertions
- Property transfers
- Request execution
- XML validation
These concepts help testers understand how automation tools validate responses.
49. What should you know about Rest Assured?
Rest Assured is a Java-based API automation library.
Example:
given()
.when()
.get(“/users/101”)
.then()
.statusCode(200);
Manual testers are generally expected to have awareness of what Rest Assured does rather than deep implementation knowledge.
50. What should you know about Python Requests?
Python Requests is a library used for API automation.
Example:
import requests
assert requests.get(url).status_code == 200
Basic awareness demonstrates interest in automation and backend testing.
Scenario-Based API Testing in Manual Testing Interview Questions
51. API returns 200 but wrong data—what do you do?
A successful status code does not guarantee correct functionality.
Actions:
- Validate business requirements.
- Compare expected and actual data.
- Verify database records if required.
- Capture evidence.
- Log a defect.
Incorrect business data should always be reported even if the status code is 200.
52. How do you test authentication manually?
Authentication testing should cover:
- Valid tokens
- Invalid tokens
- Expired tokens
- Missing tokens
- Incorrect credentials
Expected responses should match security requirements and return appropriate status codes.
53. How do you test rate limiting manually?
Rate limiting can be tested by sending multiple requests rapidly within a short period.
Expected behavior:
429 Too Many Requests
Validation includes checking whether the API correctly restricts excessive usage.
54. How do you test missing headers?
Remove mandatory headers and send the request.
Examples:
- Authorization
- Content-Type
- Accept
Expected validations:
- Appropriate error messages
- Correct status codes
- Proper error handling
55. How do you test invalid payload fields?
Examples include:
- Wrong data types
- Missing mandatory fields
- Invalid values
- Empty payloads
Manual testers verify whether validation rules are enforced correctly.
56. How do you test dependent APIs manually?
Dependent APIs are tested through API chaining.
Example:
- Login API generates token.
- Extract token.
- Pass token to another API.
- Validate response.
This simulates real-world application workflows.
57. How do you test file upload APIs manually?
Validation areas include:
- File size restrictions
- Supported file formats
- Upload success messages
- File integrity
- Security validations
Common file types include PDF, CSV, Excel, and image files.
58. How do you test backward compatibility?
Backward compatibility testing ensures that existing API consumers continue to work after API updates.
Approach:
- Test older API versions.
- Compare responses.
- Verify no existing functionality is broken.
This is especially important in enterprise applications.
59. How do you debug API failures?
When an API fails, investigate:
- Endpoint URL
- Request headers
- Request payload
- Authentication details
- Response body
- Response headers
- Error messages
A systematic debugging approach helps identify root causes quickly.
60. How do you test API performance manually?
Postman can be used to measure response times during manual testing.
Common checks:
- Response time within expected limits
- No timeout errors
- Consistent performance
Although not a replacement for performance testing tools, response-time validation provides useful insights.
How Interviewers Evaluate Your Answer
What do interviewers look for in manual API testing interviews?
Interviewers typically evaluate:
- Understanding of API fundamentals
- Knowledge of HTTP methods
- Status code awareness
- Ability to explain testing approaches
- Real-time problem-solving skills
- Debugging ability
- Communication clarity
- Understanding of business validations
Candidates who explain practical testing steps generally perform better than those who only provide theoretical definitions.
API Testing Cheat Sheet (Quick Revision)
What should you revise before a manual API testing interview?
Quick revision checklist:
- Validate status codes and response bodies.
- Test positive and negative scenarios.
- Verify headers and payloads.
- Check business rules.
- Understand authentication concepts.
- Practice Postman usage.
- Learn common HTTP status codes.
- Understand API chaining.
- Verify response times.
- Log defects with request and response evidence.
These topics cover the majority of API testing questions commonly asked in manual testing interviews.
FAQs – API Testing in Manual Testing Interview Questions
Q1. Is API testing mandatory for manual testers?
Yes, API testing has become almost mandatory for manual testers in today’s job market.
A few years ago, many manual testing roles focused mainly on UI testing. Today, most applications use APIs extensively, and companies expect testers to understand at least basic API testing concepts.
Why Is API Testing Important for Manual Testers?
Modern applications are built using:
- REST APIs
- Microservices
- Mobile backends
- Third-party integrations
- Cloud-based services
Because of this, many defects occur at the API layer before they appear in the UI.
API testing helps manual testers:
- Validate backend business logic
- Find defects earlier
- Verify data flow between systems
- Test features before UI availability
- Better understand application architecture
Q2. Is Postman enough for manual API testing?
Yes, for most manual API testing roles, Postman is more than enough.
In fact, Postman is the most commonly used API testing tool in the industry, and many companies expect manual testers to be comfortable using it.
Why Postman Is Enough for Manual API Testing
Postman allows you to perform almost all manual API testing activities, including:
- Sending API requests
- Validating responses
- Testing authentication
- Managing environments
- Working with collections
- Testing positive scenarios
- Testing negative scenarios
- API chaining
- Measuring response times
For a manual tester, these capabilities cover the majority of day-to-day API testing tasks.
Q3. Do freshers need automation knowledge?
Not necessarily. Freshers can get QA jobs without automation knowledge, but having some automation awareness gives a significant advantage.
For Pure Manual Testing Fresher Roles
Many companies primarily look for:
- Software Testing Fundamentals
- SDLC and STLC
- Test Cases and Test Scenarios
- Defect Life Cycle
- Agile Methodology
- Basic SQL
- API Testing Basics
- Postman
In these roles, automation is often not mandatory.
Q4. Are REST APIs more important than SOAP?
Yes, in today’s software industry, REST APIs are generally more important than SOAP APIs for most QA, Automation, and SDET roles.
However, SOAP is still relevant in certain enterprise domains, so it’s better to understand both.
Why REST APIs Are More Important Today
1. Most Modern Applications Use REST
REST is the dominant API style for:
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- Microservices
- Cloud platforms
- SaaS products
Most companies building new applications expose REST APIs rather than SOAP services.
2. REST Is Easier to Learn and Test
REST APIs use standard HTTP methods:
- GET
- POST
- PUT
- PATCH
- DELETE
Example:
GET /api/users/101
The request and response structures are usually straightforward, making REST easier for testers to learn and validate.
3. JSON Is Simpler Than XML
REST commonly uses JSON:
{
“id”: 101,
“name”: “Srushti”,
“role”: “QA Engineer”
}
Benefits of JSON:
- Lightweight
- Human-readable
- Easy to parse
- Easier validation in tools like Postman
SOAP typically uses XML, which is more verbose and complex.
4. REST Dominates API Testing Interviews
Most interview questions today focus on:
- REST concepts
- HTTP methods
- Status codes
- JSON validation
- Authentication
- API chaining
- Postman
- Rest Assured
These topics appear far more frequently than SOAP-related questions.

