Introduction: Growing Fresher Hiring Demand in Testing
Software testing has become one of the most popular career entry points for fresh graduates. With frequent software releases, tight deadlines, and large applications, companies now rely heavily on automation testing to speed up quality checks.
Because of this demand, many organizations actively hire freshers for automation testing roles, especially those who understand basic testing concepts, automation fundamentals, and logical thinking. Interviewers do not expect advanced coding skills from freshers. They mainly evaluate clarity of concepts and practical understanding.
That’s why preparing the right automation testing interview questions freshers is extremely important. This article is written specifically for beginners, using simple language, step-by-step explanations, real examples, test cases, and bug reports.
What Is Software, Manual, and Automation Testing? (Simple Explanation)
What Is Software Testing?
Software testing is the process of checking whether a software application works as expected and meets user requirements.
Example:
If a website crashes when clicking “Submit,” testing helps identify and fix the issue before users face it.
What Is Manual Testing?
Manual testing means testing the application by hand, without using automation tools.
Examples:
- Manually testing login functionality
- Verifying buttons and links
- Checking error messages
Manual testing is the foundation of automation testing.
What Is Automation Testing?
Automation testing uses tools and scripts to run test cases automatically.
Simple Example:
Instead of manually testing login multiple times, an automation script performs the same steps and verifies results automatically.
For freshers, interviewers focus on basic understanding, not complex scripts.
Automation Testing Interview Questions Freshers (With Answers)
Below are 80+ automation testing interview questions freshers, arranged from basic to slightly advanced.
Basic Automation Testing Interview Questions
1. What is automation testing?
Automation testing is the process of using tools to execute test cases automatically.
2. Why is automation testing required?
It saves time, reduces manual effort, and improves test coverage.
3. Can automation testing replace manual testing?
No. Manual testing is always needed for usability and exploratory testing.
4. When should automation testing be used?
- Regression testing
- Repetitive test cases
- Large applications
5. Is automation testing suitable for freshers?
Yes, if the basics are clear.
Fresher QA Interview Q&A – Automation Basics
6. What are automation testing tools?
Software tools used to automate test execution.
7. Name popular automation tools.
- Selenium
- Cypress
- Playwright
- TestNG
8. What is Selenium?
Selenium is a tool used to automate web applications.
9. Is Selenium free to use?
Yes, Selenium is open source.
10. What is a test script?
A set of instructions written to automate test cases.
Programming Basics for Automation Freshers
11. Is coding required for automation testing?
Basic programming knowledge is helpful but not mandatory for freshers.
12. Which programming languages are used?
- Java
- Python
- JavaScript
13. What is a variable?
A variable stores data values.
14. What is a loop?
A loop repeats a block of code multiple times.
15. What is a condition?
A condition checks whether something is true or false.
Automation Framework Interview Questions (Beginner Level)
16. What is an automation framework?
A structured way to organize automation scripts.
17. Why do we need automation frameworks?
They improve reusability and maintenance.
18. What is data-driven testing?
Running the same test case with multiple data sets.
19. What is keyword-driven testing?
Using keywords to represent actions like click or enter text.
20. What is a hybrid framework?
A combination of multiple frameworks.
Practical Automation Testing Interview Questions
21. What is test automation life cycle?
- Requirement analysis
- Tool selection
- Script development
- Test execution
- Reporting
22. What is test environment?
The setup where testing is performed.
23. What is test execution?
Running automation scripts.
24. What is test reporting?
Creating reports that show pass/fail results.
25. What is script maintenance?
Updating scripts when application changes.
Scenario-Based QA Questions for Beginners
26. When should automation not be used?
- One-time test cases
- Frequently changing UI
- Usability testing
27. How will you automate a login page?
- Identify username field
- Enter username and password
- Click login
- Verify successful login
28. What will you do if an automation test fails?
Check logs, screenshots, and verify manually.
29. How do you handle dynamic elements?
Use stable locators and waits.
30. What is synchronization?
Waiting for elements to load before performing actions.
Sample Test Cases for Freshers
Login Automation Test Case Example
| Field | Details |
| Test Case ID | TC_Login_01 |
| Scenario | Verify login with valid credentials |
| Steps | Enter username → Enter password → Click login |
| Expected Result | User logs in successfully |
| Status | Pass |
Mobile Automation Test Case Example
Scenario: Verify mobile app launch
- Launch application
- Verify splash screen
- Validate home screen
API Automation Test Case Example (Basic)
Scenario: Verify login API response
- Send request
- Validate status code
- Check response time
UI Automation Test Case Example
Scenario: Verify button click functionality
- Locate button
- Click button
- Verify page navigation
Bug Report Writing Examples for Freshers
Sample Automation Bug Report
Bug ID: AUTO_110
Title: Login automation script fails intermittently
Environment: QA
Steps to Reproduce:
- Run login automation script
- Observe failure during password entry
Expected Result: Script should execute successfully
Actual Result: Script fails randomly
Severity: Medium
Status: New
Tips to Answer Confidently in Automation Testing Interviews
- Use simple language
- Give real-life examples
- Don’t guess answers
- Focus on fundamentals
- Highlight manual testing knowledge
Interviewers prefer clear thinking over memorized answers.
Quick Revision Sheet (One-Glance Summary)
- Automation speeds up testing
- Manual testing is always required
- Scripts automate repetitive tasks
- Frameworks organize automation code
- Maintenance is important
FAQs – Automation Testing Interview Questions Freshers
Q1. Is automation testing hard for freshers?
No, if basics are clear and well-understood.
Q2. Do freshers need strong coding skills?
Basic coding knowledge is sufficient.
Q3. Which automation tool should freshers learn first?
Selenium is a good starting point.
Q4. Is automation testing mandatory for QA jobs?
Manual testing is mandatory; automation is an added advantage.
Q5. What do interviewers expect from freshers?
Concept clarity, logical thinking, and willingness to learn.