What Are the Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

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Overview: What Interviewers Really Assess in Software Testing Interviews

When candidates ask “what are the questions asked in software testing interview?”, they’re usually trying to understand what interviewers actually evaluate, not just memorise definitions.

Across companies and experience levels, interviewers assess:

  • Testing fundamentals (clarity over jargon)
  • Ability to design and explain test cases
  • Understanding of SDLC and STLC
  • Skill in defect reporting, severity, priority, and RCA
  • Awareness of automation, API, and SQL
  • Agile mindset and collaboration
  • Decision-making through scenario-based questions
  • Communication and professionalism

This guide consolidates the most commonly asked software testing interview questions, explained with examples, tables, and real-time project insights.

Section 1: Basic Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

1. What is software testing?

Software testing is the process of verifying and validating a software application to ensure that:

  • It meets business requirements
  • It behaves as expected
  • It is free from critical defects

2. Why is software testing important?

Software testing is important because it:

  • Prevents production failures
  • Reduces the cost of fixing defects
  • Improves product quality
  • Protects business reputation

3. What is the difference between verification and validation?

VerificationValidation
Are we building the product right?Are we building the right product?
Static activityDynamic activity
Reviews & inspectionsTest execution

4. What is a defect or bug?

A defect is a flaw where:

Actual Result ≠ Expected Result

5. Difference between error, defect, and failure

TermMeaning
ErrorDeveloper mistake
DefectBug found during testing
FailureIssue seen in production

6. What are the different levels of testing?

  • Unit testing
  • Integration testing
  • System testing
  • Acceptance testing

7. What are the types of software testing?

  • Manual testing
  • Automation testing
  • Functional testing
  • Non-functional testing
  • Regression testing
  • Smoke testing
  • Sanity testing

8. What is manual testing?

Manual testing is testing software without automation tools, where testers:

  • Execute test cases manually
  • Observe system behaviour
  • Report defects

9. What is automation testing?

Automation testing uses tools and scripts to:

  • Execute test cases automatically
  • Reduce repetitive effort
  • Improve speed and accuracy

10. Can automation testing replace manual testing?

No. Automation supports testing but cannot replace:

  • Exploratory testing
  • Usability testing
  • Ad-hoc testing

Section 2: Test Case Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

11. What is a test case?

A test case is a set of steps, data, and expected results used to verify a requirement.

12. What are the components of a test case?

  • Test Case ID
  • Test Scenario / Title
  • Preconditions
  • Test Steps
  • Test Data
  • Expected Result
  • Actual Result
  • Status

13. What is a test scenario?

A test scenario is a high-level functionality to be tested.

Example:

  • Login functionality
  • Payment processing

14. Difference between test scenario and test case

Test ScenarioTest Case
High-levelDetailed
What to testHow to test

15. What is positive testing?

Testing with valid input to ensure expected behaviour.

16. What is negative testing?

Testing with invalid input to verify system robustness.

17. What is boundary value analysis (BVA)?

Testing values at:

  • Minimum boundary
  • Maximum boundary
  • Just inside and outside limits

18. What is equivalence partitioning?

Dividing input data into:

  • Valid partitions
  • Invalid partitions

19. What makes a good test case?

A good test case is:

  • Clear and concise
  • Independent
  • Reusable
  • Traceable to requirements

20. What is regression testing?

Regression testing ensures existing functionality still works after changes.

Section 3: SDLC & STLC Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

21. What is SDLC?

SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle):

  1. Requirement analysis
  2. Design
  3. Development
  4. Testing
  5. Deployment
  6. Maintenance

22. What is STLC?

STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle):

  1. Requirement analysis
  2. Test planning
  3. Test case design
  4. Test execution
  5. Defect tracking
  6. Test closure

23. Difference between SDLC and STLC

SDLCSTLC
Development focusedTesting focused

24. What happens in requirement analysis phase of STLC?

Testers:

  • Review requirements
  • Identify test scenarios
  • Clarify ambiguities
  • Understand business flow

25. What is test planning?

Test planning defines:

  • Scope
  • Strategy
  • Resources
  • Tools
  • Timelines
  • Risks

26. What is test execution?

Executing test cases and comparing:

Actual results vs Expected results

27. What is test closure?

Test closure includes:

  • Test summary report
  • Metrics analysis
  • Lessons learned

28. What is RTM (Requirement Traceability Matrix)?

RTM maps:

Requirements ↔ Test Cases

29. Why is RTM important?

  • Ensures complete coverage
  • Prevents missed requirements

30. Can testing start before development?

Yes. Activities like requirement review and test design start early.

Section 4: Bug, Defect & RCA Questions Asked in Interviews

31. What is the defect life cycle?

  1. New
  2. Assigned
  3. Open
  4. Fixed
  5. Retest
  6. Closed
  7. Reopened

32. What is defect severity?

Severity indicates technical impact.

SeverityImpact
CriticalSystem crash
MajorCore feature broken
MinorUI issue

33. What is defect priority?

Priority indicates urgency to fix the defect.

34. Difference between severity and priority

SeverityPriority
Technical impactBusiness urgency

35. What is Root Cause Analysis (RCA)?

RCA identifies why a defect occurred.

Example:
 Bug: Incorrect total amount
Root cause: Missing boundary test cases

Section 5: Scenario-Based Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

36. A critical bug is found just before release. What will you do?

  • Inform stakeholders immediately
  • Assess business impact
  • Stop release if required
  • Support retesting after fix

37. Developer says “It works on my machine.” How do you respond?

  • Share clear reproduction steps
  • Provide logs/screenshots
  • Communicate professionally

38. Testing time is very limited. How do you manage?

  • Prioritise critical business flows
  • Focus on high-risk areas
  • Perform smoke and sanity testing

39. A bug is rejected by developer. What will you do?

  • Re-check requirements
  • Provide strong evidence
  • Discuss logically

40. How do you test an application without documentation?

  • Exploratory testing
  • Understand business flow
  • Interact with stakeholders

Section 6: Automation, API & SQL Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

41. What is Selenium?

Selenium is an open-source tool used for web automation testing.

42. What is API testing?

API testing validates:

  • Backend business logic
  • Data exchange
  • Integration between systems

43. What is REST API?

REST APIs use HTTP methods:

  • GET
  • POST
  • PUT
  • DELETE

44. Why should testers know SQL?

SQL helps testers:

  • Validate backend data
  • Verify business rules

SELECT * FROM orders WHERE status=’FAILED’;

45. Can API testing replace UI testing?

No. API testing complements UI testing; both are required.

Section 7: Agile & Tools Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

46. What is Agile?

Agile is an iterative development approach with continuous feedback and frequent releases.

47. Role of tester in Agile

  • Review user stories
  • Write test cases early
  • Perform continuous testing

48. What is acceptance criteria?

Acceptance criteria define conditions for story completion.

49. What tools are commonly used in software testing projects?

  • Jira
  • TestRail
  • Postman
  • Jenkins

50. What makes a tester successful in interviews?

  • Strong fundamentals
  • Clear explanations
  • Real project examples
  • Logical thinking

Sample Test Case (Commonly Asked in Interviews)

FieldDescription
Test Case IDTC_LOGIN_01
ScenarioValid Login
StepsEnter valid username and password
Expected ResultUser logged in successfully

Negative Test Cases

  • Invalid credentials
  • Blank fields
  • Locked account

Domain-Based Testing Examples

Banking

  • Fund transfer validation
  • Transaction rollback

Insurance

  • Policy creation
  • Claim processing

E-Commerce

  • Cart and checkout
  • Payment gateway

Quick Revision Sheet – What Are the Questions Asked in Software Testing Interview

  • Testing fundamentals
  • Test cases & scenarios
  • SDLC & STLC
  • Defect life cycle & RCA
  • Automation, API & SQL basics
  • Agile concepts
  • Tool awareness

FAQ

Q: Are these all the questions asked in software testing interview?
 These cover 80–85% of real interview questions across companies.

Q: Do interviewers expect practical examples?
 Yes. Always explain answers with real-time scenarios.

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