Introduction: Why Java Is Needed for Automation Testing
For testing freshers, Java is one of the most important skills to learn if you want to move from manual testing to automation testing. Most companies use Java with Selenium because Java is:
- Easy to learn for beginners
- Object-oriented (perfect for frameworks)
- Platform independent
- Well supported with Selenium, TestNG, JUnit, Maven, Jenkins
Even if the role is manual + automation, interviewers expect basic to intermediate Java knowledge. This article covers Java interview questions for testing freshers with simple explanations, real-time code, and automation examples.
Primary Keyword: java interview questions for testing freshers
(Used naturally throughout the article)
Core Java Topics for Testing Freshers
Before automation, every fresher must be strong in Core Java fundamentals.
1. OOP Concepts (Most Important)
| Concept | Meaning | Automation Usage |
| Encapsulation | Binding data & methods | Page Object Model |
| Inheritance | One class acquires another | Base Test class |
| Polymorphism | One interface, many forms | WebDriver reference |
| Abstraction | Hiding implementation | Framework utilities |
2. Java Collections (Very Common in Interviews)
Used in:
- Storing multiple web elements
- Handling test data
- Iterating dynamic content
Common classes:
- ArrayList
- HashSet
- HashMap
3. Multithreading (Basic Level for Freshers)
Used for:
- Parallel test execution
- Improving execution speed
4. Exception Handling
Helps prevent test failures due to:
- Missing elements
- Timeouts
- File errors
5. Java 8 Streams (Basic Awareness)
Used to:
- Filter lists
- Process data
- Reduce code lines
Java Interview Questions for Testing Freshers (With Answers)
Core Java Interview Questions
1. What is Java?
Answer:
Java is an object-oriented, platform-independent programming language used in automation testing and application development.
2. Why Java is used in automation testing?
Answer:
- Easy syntax
- OOP support
- Strong Selenium integration
- Large community
3. What is JVM?
Answer:
JVM (Java Virtual Machine) executes Java bytecode and makes Java platform independent.
4. Difference between JDK, JRE, and JVM?
| Term | Purpose |
| JVM | Executes bytecode |
| JRE | JVM + libraries |
| JDK | JRE + tools |
5. What are OOP concepts?
Answer:
Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Abstraction.
6. Explain encapsulation with example.
class Login {
private String password;
public void setPassword(String pwd) {
password = pwd;
}
}
7. What is inheritance?
Answer:
Inheritance allows one class to reuse properties of another class.
8. What is polymorphism?
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
Explanation:
Same interface (WebDriver) but different implementation.
9. What is abstraction?
Answer:
Hiding implementation details and showing only functionality.
10. What is interface?
Answer:
An interface contains abstract methods. Selenium WebDriver itself is an interface.
String & Memory Interview Questions
11. Difference between == and .equals()?
String a = “Test”;
String b = new String(“Test”);
System.out.println(a == b); // false
System.out.println(a.equals(b)); // true
Expected Output:
false
true
12. Why String is immutable?
Answer:
- Security
- Thread safety
- Performance
Collections Interview Questions (Fresher Friendly)
13. What is a collection?
Answer:
A collection stores multiple objects in a single unit.
14. Difference between List and Set?
| List | Set |
| Allows duplicates | No duplicates |
| Maintains order | No order |
15. Why ArrayList is used in Selenium?
List<WebElement> buttons =
driver.findElements(By.tagName(“button”));
Used for storing multiple web elements.
16. What is HashMap used for?
Map<String, String> data = new HashMap<>();
data.put(“username”, “admin”);
data.put(“password”, “test123”);
Used in data-driven testing.
Exception Handling Interview Questions
17. What is exception?
Answer:
An exception is an unwanted event that interrupts program execution.
18. Difference between checked and unchecked exceptions?
| Checked | Unchecked |
| IOException | NullPointerException |
| Compile time | Runtime |
19. Handle exception example:
try {
driver.findElement(By.id(“login”)).click();
} catch (Exception e) {
System.out.println(“Exception handled”);
}
File Handling Interview Questions
20. How to read file in Java?
BufferedReader br =
new BufferedReader(new FileReader(“data.txt”));
String line;
while((line = br.readLine()) != null) {
System.out.println(line);
}
Expected Output:
Prints file content line by line.
Selenium WebDriver Interview Questions (Freshers)
21. What is Selenium?
Answer:
Selenium is an open-source tool used to automate web applications.
22. Components of Selenium?
- Selenium WebDriver
- Selenium IDE
- Selenium Grid
23. What is WebDriver?
Answer:
WebDriver is an interface that automates browser actions.
24. Types of locators in Selenium?
- ID
- Name
- XPath
- CSS Selector
- ClassName
25. Which locator is fastest?
Answer:
ID locator.
26. Difference between findElement() and findElements()?
| Method | Result |
| findElement | Exception |
| findElements | Empty list |
Java Selenium Coding Challenges (Beginner Level)
Challenge 1: Open browser and print title
WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver();
driver.get(“https://example.com”);
System.out.println(driver.getTitle());
Challenge 2: Click login button
driver.findElement(By.id(“login”)).click();
Challenge 3: Explicit Wait example
WebDriverWait wait =
new WebDriverWait(driver, Duration.ofSeconds(10));
wait.until(ExpectedConditions
.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id(“submit”)));
Framework Design Interview Questions (Basic)
27. What is Page Object Model?
Answer:
POM separates page elements and test logic.
28. Advantages of POM?
- Easy maintenance
- Reusable code
- Cleaner tests
29. What is Hybrid Framework?
Answer:
Combination of POM, TestNG, utilities, and data-driven approach.
30. What is Cucumber?
Answer:
Cucumber supports BDD using Gherkin language.
TestNG Interview Questions
31. What is TestNG?
Answer:
TestNG is a testing framework inspired by JUnit.
32. TestNG annotations?
- @Test
- @BeforeMethod
- @AfterMethod
33. Grouping tests in TestNG?
@Test(groups = “smoke”)
JUnit Interview Questions
34. What is JUnit?
Answer:
JUnit is a unit testing framework for Java.
35. Difference between JUnit and TestNG?
| Feature | TestNG | JUnit |
| Parallel | Yes | Limited |
| Groups | Yes | No |
Selenium + Java + API (Beginner Scenario)
Response res = RestAssured.get(“/users”);
int statusCode = res.getStatusCode();
System.out.println(statusCode);
Used to validate backend APIs.
Real-Time Interview Scenarios (Freshers)
Scenario 1: Element not found
Solution:
- Check locator
- Use explicit wait
- Inspect DOM changes
Scenario 2: Test fails sometimes
Solution:
- Avoid Thread.sleep
- Use waits
- Improve locators
Common Mistakes in Java Interviews (Freshers)
❌ Not explaining code logic
❌ Weak OOP understanding
❌ Ignoring exceptions
❌ Memorizing without practice
❌ Not knowing Selenium basics
1-Page Java Selenium Revision Table
| Topic | Remember |
| OOP | POM usage |
| Collections | List, Map |
| Selenium | Locators, Waits |
| TestNG | Annotations |
| Framework | Hybrid |
| Java | Exceptions |
FAQs – Java Interview Questions for Testing Freshers
Q1. Is Java mandatory for testing freshers?
Yes, especially for automation roles.
Q2. How much Java is enough for freshers?
Core Java + OOP + Collections + Exceptions.
Q3. Is Selenium required for freshers?
Basic Selenium knowledge is expected.
Q4. Is TestNG mandatory?
Yes, for automation testing.