Preparing for a software testing interview can feel overwhelming, but the right preparation helps you walk in confident. This guide gives you 60+ essential questions and answers, from foundational concepts to advanced topics, so you're ready for anything.
Our questions are categorized into three levels:
At the end, you'll find helpful tips, strategies, and additional resources to handle tricky questions, along with personal interview questions you can prepare for.
Good luck with your interview!
Software testing checks whether software works as expected and is free of defects before release. For example, in functional testing, testers verify whether the login feature behaves correctly with both valid and invalid credentials.
Testing may be done manually or using automated test scripts. The goal is to ensure the software meets business requirements and to uncover issues early.
There are two main testing approaches:
Quality is not only the absence of bugs — it means meeting or exceeding user expectations. Software testing ensures:
Read More: What is Software Testing? Definition, Guide, Tools
The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a structured process followed by QA teams to ensure thorough coverage and efficient testing.
There are six stages in the STLC:
Test data is used to simulate real user input when no production data exists — for example, login scenarios requiring usernames and passwords.
Good test data should meet these criteria:
Shift Left Testing moves testing earlier in the development cycle, reducing cost and catching defects sooner.
Shift Right Testing occurs after release, using real user behavior to guide quality improvements and feature planning.
Below is a comparison table for Shift Left vs Shift Right testing:
| Aspect | Shift Left Testing | Shift Right Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Testing Initiation | Starts testing early in the development process | Starts testing after development and deployment |
| Objective | Early defect detection and prevention | Finding issues in production and real-world scenarios |
| Testing Activities | Static testing, unit testing, continuous integration testing | Exploratory testing, usability testing, monitoring, feedback analysis |
| Collaboration | Collaboration between developers and testers from the beginning | Collaboration with operations and customer support teams |
| Defect Discovery | Early detection and resolution of defects | Detection of defects in production environments and live usage |
| Time and Cost Impact | Reduces overall development time and cost | May increase cost due to issues discovered in production |
| Time-to-Market | Faster delivery due to early defect detection | May impact time-to-market due to post-production issues |
| Test Automation | Significant reliance on test automation for early testing | Automation used for monitoring and continuous feedback |
| Agile and DevOps Fit | Aligned with Agile and DevOps methodologies | Complements DevOps by focusing on production environments |
| Feedback Loop | Continuous feedback throughout SDLC | Continuous feedback from real users and operations |
| Risks and Benefits | Reduces risks of major defects reaching production | Identifies issues not apparent during development |
| Continuous Improvement | Improves quality based on early feedback | Improves quality based on real-world usage |
| Aspect | Functional Testing | Non-Functional Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Focuses on verifying the application's functionality | Assesses aspects not directly related to functionality (performance, security, usability, scalability, etc.) |
| Objective | Ensure the application works as intended | Evaluate non-functional attributes of the application |
| Types of Testing | Unit testing, integration testing, system testing, acceptance testing | Performance testing, security testing, usability testing, etc. |
| Examples | Verifying login functionality, checking search filters, etc. | Assessing system performance, security against unauthorized access, etc. |
| Timing | Performed at various stages of development | Often executed after functional testing |
A test case is a specific set of conditions and inputs executed to validate a particular aspect of the software functionality.
A test scenario is a broader concept representing the real-world situation being tested. It groups multiple related test cases to verify overall behavior.
If you’re unsure where to begin, here are popular sample test cases that provide a solid starting point:
A defect is a flaw in a software application causing it to behave in an unintended way. They are also called bugs and are typically used interchangeably.
To report a defect effectively:
The defect/bug life cycle includes the steps followed when identifying, addressing, and resolving software issues. Two common ways to describe it are: by workflow and by status.
The bug life cycle follows these steps:
Defects are categorized to streamline management, analysis, and troubleshooting. Common categories include:
Read More: How To Find Bugs on Websites
Automated testing is ideal for large projects with many repetitive tests. It ensures consistency, speed, and reliability.
Manual testing is suitable for smaller tasks, exploratory testing, and scenarios requiring human intuition and creativity.
Automation can be overkill for small projects, so the choice depends on scope, timeline, and available resources.
Read More: Manual Testing vs Automation Testing
A test plan is a guiding document that outlines the strategy, scope, resources, objectives, and timelines for testing a software system. It ensures alignment, clarity, and consistency throughout the testing process.
Regression testing is performed after code updates to verify that existing functionality still works correctly.
As the system grows, regression suites become large. Manual execution becomes slow and impractical. Automated testing provides:
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The test pyramid is a testing strategy that illustrates how different automated test types should be distributed based on scope and complexity. It consists of three layers: unit tests at the base, service-level tests in the middle, and UI/End-to-End (E2E) tests at the top.
Gray-Box Testing:
Test case prioritization ensures critical areas are validated early, aligns testing with project risks, and optimizes the use of time and resources. Common prioritization strategies include:
A traceability matrix is a key document used to ensure full test coverage by linking requirements with test cases and other related artifacts.
Exploratory testing is an unscripted manual testing approach where testers evaluate the application without predefined test cases. They rely on curiosity, experience, and spontaneous decision-making to discover issues and understand system behavior.
Exploratory testing and ad-hoc testing share similarities, but they differ in structure and intent. The table below highlights their differences.
| Aspect | Exploratory Testing | Ad Hoc Testing |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Systematic and structured | Unplanned and unstructured |
| Planning | Tests designed and executed on the fly using tester knowledge | Performed without predefined test plans or cases |
| Test Execution | Design, execution, and learning occur simultaneously | Testing happens without structured steps |
| Purpose | Explore software and uncover deeper insights | Quick, informal checks |
| Documentation | Notes and observations recorded during testing | Little or no documentation |
| Test Case Creation | May be created on the fly | No predefined test cases |
| Skill Requirement | Requires skilled and experienced testers | Can be done by any team member |
| Reproducibility | Possible to reproduce steps afterward | Often difficult to reproduce bugs |
| Test Coverage | Can cover specific areas or discover new paths | Coverage depends heavily on tester knowledge |
| Flexibility | Adapts to discoveries during testing | Fully flexible, intuition-driven |
| Intentional Testing | Still focuses on meaningful testing goals | More unstructured and less purposeful |
| Maturity | Recognized, evolving methodology | Considered less formal or mature |
CI/CD stands for Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery (or Continuous Deployment). It is a set of practices designed to automate and streamline building, testing, and delivering software. The goal is to enable fast, reliable, and frequent updates while maintaining high quality.
Continuous Integration (CI):
Continuous Delivery (CD):
Static Testing:
Dynamic Testing:
The V-model aligns testing activities directly with development phases, forming a “V” shape. Unlike the traditional waterfall model—where testing occurs after development—the V-model integrates testing early, enabling faster feedback and earlier defect detection.
TDD is a development approach where tests are written before the actual code. Developers create automated unit tests to define expected behavior, then write code to satisfy those tests. TDD encourages cleaner design, strong test coverage, and early defect detection.
Read More: TDD vs BDD: A Comparison
Test environment management ensures consistent, controlled environments for executing test cases. It allows QA teams to test safely outside production while reproducing issues reliably.
Challenges in managing test environments include:
Read More: How To Build a Good Test Infrastructure?
Test design techniques help derive test cases from requirements or scenarios.
1. Equivalence Partitioning
2. Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)
3. Decision Table Testing
4. State Transition Testing
5. Exploratory Testing
6. Error Guessing
Test data management (TDM) involves creating, maintaining, and controlling test data throughout the testing lifecycle.
Its goal is to ensure testers always have relevant, accurate, and realistic data to perform high-quality testing.
A test automation framework provides structure, reusability, and best practices for designing and executing automated tests.
Read More: Top 8 Cross-browser Testing Tools For Your QA Team
Several criteria to consider when choosing a test automation framework for your project include:
Read More: Test Automation Framework – 6 Common Types
Since third-party integrations may use different technologies than the system under test, conflicts can occur. Testing these integrations follows a process similar to the Software Testing Life Cycle:
Data-driven testing is a testing approach in which test cases are executed with multiple sets of test data. Instead of writing separate test cases for each data variation, testers parameterize test cases and run them with different input values stored in external sources such as spreadsheets or databases.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Free to use, no license fees | Limited support |
| Active communities provide assistance | Steep learning curve |
| Can be tailored to project needs | Lack of comprehensive documentation |
| Source code is accessible for modification | Integration challenges |
| Frequent updates and improvements | Occasional bugs or issues |
| Not tied to a specific vendor | Requires careful consideration of security |
| Large user base, abundant online resources | May not offer certain enterprise-level capabilities |
Read More: Top 10 Free Open-source Testing Tools, Frameworks, and Libraries
Model-Based Testing (MBT) is a technique that uses models to represent system behavior and generate test cases based on those models. These models may be finite state machines, decision tables, flowcharts, or other structures capturing functionality, states, and transitions.
The process includes:
TestNG (Test Next Generation) is a Java testing framework inspired by JUnit but offering more advanced features. It supports unit, integration, and end-to-end testing, providing flexible configuration, annotations, parallel execution, data-driven testing, and reporting.
The Page Object Model (POM) is a design pattern that structures automation code by representing each page or UI component as a class. This class contains locators and methods for interactions. POM improves maintainability, reusability, readability, and reduces code duplication.
Abstraction layers organize the framework into modular components that encapsulate complexity. Each layer handles a specific responsibility, enabling cleaner structure, easier maintenance, and scalability.
Common abstraction layers include:
Parallel test execution involves running multiple test cases simultaneously on different threads or machines. This significantly reduces execution time, speeds up feedback, and improves coverage.
Key benefits:
| Category | Katalon | Selenium |
| Initial setup and prerequisites |
|
|
| License Type | Commercial | Open-source |
| Supported application types | Web, mobile, API, desktop | Web |
| What to maintain | Test scripts |
|
| Language Support | Java/Groovy | Java, Ruby, C#, PHP, JavaScript, Python, Perl, Objective-C, etc. |
| Pricing | Free Forever plan + paid tiers | Free |
| Knowledge Base & Community Support |
|
Community support |
Read More: Katalon vs Selenium
| Aspect | Selenium | TestNG |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Suite of tools for web application testing | Testing framework for test organization & execution |
| Functionality | Automation of web browsers and web elements | Test configuration, parallel execution, grouping, data-driven testing, reporting, etc. |
| Browser Support | Supports multiple browsers | N/A |
| Limitations | Primarily focused on web application testing | N/A |
| Parallel Execution | N/A | Supports parallel execution at method, class, suite, and group levels |
| Test Configuration | N/A | Uses annotations for setup and teardown of test environments |
| Reporting & Logging | N/A | Provides detailed execution reports and supports custom listeners |
| Integration | Often paired with TestNG for test management | Commonly combined with Selenium for execution, configuration, and reporting |
When creating a test strategy document, we can make a table containing the listed items. Then, have a brainstorming session with key stakeholders (project manager, business analyst, QA Lead, and Development Team Lead) to gather the necessary information for each item. Here are some questions to ask:
Test Goals/Objectives:
Sprint Timelines:
Lifecycle of Tasks/Tickets:
Test Approach:
Testing Types:
Roles and Responsibilities:
Testing Tools:
Several important test metrics include:
Learn More: What is a Test Report? How To Create One?
An object repository is a central storage location that holds all the information about the objects or elements of the application being tested. It is a key component of test automation frameworks and is used to store and manage the properties and attributes of user interface (UI) elements or objects.
Having an Object Repository brings several benefits:
There are several best practices when it comes to test case reusability and maintainability:
Assumptions:
import org.openqa.selenium.By; import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver; import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement; import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver; public class TextBoxTest { public static void main(String[] args) { // Set ChromeDriver path System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver"); // Create a WebDriver instance WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(); // Navigate to the test page driver.get("https://example.com/login"); // Find the username and password text boxes WebElement usernameTextBox = driver.findElement(By.id("username")); WebElement passwordTextBox = driver.findElement(By.id("password")); // Test Data String validUsername = "testuser"; String validPassword = "testpass"; // Test case 1: Enter valid data into the username text box usernameTextBox.sendKeys(validUsername); String enteredUsername = usernameTextBox.getAttribute("value"); if (enteredUsername.equals(validUsername)) { System.out.println("Test case 1: Passed - Valid data entered in the username text box."); } else { System.out.println("Test case 1: Failed - Valid data not entered in the username text box."); } // Test case 2: Enter valid data into the password text box passwordTextBox.sendKeys(validPassword); String enteredPassword = passwordTextBox.getAttribute("value"); if (enteredPassword.equals(validPassword)) { System.out.println("Test case 2: Passed - Valid data entered in the password text box."); } else { System.out.println("Test case 2: Failed - Valid data not entered in the password text box."); } // Close the browser driver.quit(); } }
import org.openqa.selenium.By; import org.openqa.selenium.WebDriver; import org.openqa.selenium.WebElement; import org.openqa.selenium.chrome.ChromeDriver; public class InvalidEmailTest { public static void main(String[] args) { // Set ChromeDriver path System.setProperty("webdriver.chrome.driver", "path/to/chromedriver"); // Create a WebDriver instance WebDriver driver = new ChromeDriver(); // Navigate to the test page driver.get("https://example.com/contact"); // Find the email input field and submit button WebElement emailField = driver.findElement(By.id("email")); WebElement submitButton = driver.findElement(By.id("submitBtn")); // Test Data - Invalid email format String invalidEmail = "invalidemail"; // Test case 1: Enter invalid email format and click submit emailField.sendKeys(invalidEmail); submitButton.click(); // Find the error message element WebElement errorMessage = driver.findElement(By.className("error-message")); // Check if the error message is displayed and contains the expected text if (errorMessage.isDisplayed() && errorMessage.getText().equals("Invalid email format")) { System.out.println("Test case 1: Passed - Error message for invalid email format is displayed."); } else { System.out.println("Test case 1: Failed - Error message for invalid email format is not displayed or incorrect."); } // Close the browser driver.quit(); } }
1. Decide which part of the product/website you want to test
2. Define the hypothesis (what will users do when they land on this part of the website? How do we verify that hypothesis?)
3. Set clear criteria for the usability test session
4. Write a study plan and script
5. Find suitable participants for the test
6. Conduct your study
7. Analyze collected data
Even though it's not possible to test every possible situation, testers should go beyond the common conditions and explore other scenarios. Besides the regular tests, we should also think about unusual or unexpected situations (edge cases and negative scenarios), which involve uncommon inputs or usage patterns. By considering these cases, we can improve the coverage of your testing. Attackers often target non-standard scenarios, so testing them is essential to enhance the effectiveness of our tests.
Defect triage meetings are an important part of the software development and testing process. They are typically held to prioritize and manage the defects (bugs) found during testing or reported by users. The primary goal of defect triage meetings is to decide which defects should be addressed first and how they should be resolved.
The average age of a defect in software testing refers to the average amount of time a defect remains open or unresolved from the moment it is identified until it is fixed and verified. It is a crucial metric used to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of the defect resolution process in the software development lifecycle.
The average age of a defect can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the software, the testing process, the size of the development team, the severity of the defects, and the overall development methodology (e.g., agile, waterfall, etc.).
An experienced QA or Test Lead should have technical expertise, domain knowledge, leadership skills, and communication skills. An effective QA Leader is one that can inspire, motivate, and guide the testing team, keeping them focused on goals and objectives.
Read More: 9 Steps To Become a Good QA Lead
There is no true answer to this question because it depends on your experience. You can follow this framework to provide the most detailed information:
Step 1: Describe the defect in detail, including how it was identified (e.g., through testing, customer feedback, etc.)
Step 2: Explain why it was particularly challenging.
Step 3: Outline the steps you took to resolve the defect
Step 4: Discuss any obstacles you faced and your rationale to overcoming it.
Step 5: Explain how you ensure that the defect was fully resolved and the impact it had on the project and stakeholders.
Step 6: Reflect on what you learned from this experience.
DevOps is a software development approach and culture that emphasizes collaboration, communication, and integration between software development (Dev) and IT operations (Ops) teams. It aims to streamline and automate the software delivery process, enabling organizations to deliver high-quality software faster and more reliably.
Read More: DevOps Implementation Strategy
Agile focuses on iterative software development and customer collaboration, while DevOps extends beyond development to address the entire software delivery process, emphasizing automation, collaboration, and continuous feedback. Agile is primarily a development methodology, while DevOps is a set of practices and cultural principles aimed at breaking down barriers between development and operations teams to accelerate the delivery of high-quality software.
User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is when the software application is evaluated by end-users or representatives of the intended audience to determine whether it meets the specified business requirements and is ready for production deployment. UAT is also known as End User Testing or Beta Testing. The primary goal of UAT is to ensure that the application meets user expectations and functions as intended in real-world scenarios.
Entry criteria are the conditions that need to be fulfilled before testing can begin. They ensure that the testing environment is prepared, and the testing team has the necessary information and resources to start testing. Entry criteria may include:
Similarly, exit criteria are the conditions that must be met for testing to be considered complete, and the software is ready for the next phase or release. These criteria ensure that the software meets the required quality standards before moving forward, including:
Software Testing Techniques
Testing a Pen
1. Functional Testing
Verify that the pen writes smoothly, ink flows consistently, and the pen cap securely covers the tip.
2. Boundary Testing
Test the pen's ink level at minimum and maximum to check behavior at the boundaries.
3. Negative Testing
Ensure the pen does not write when no ink is present and behaves correctly when the cap is missing.
4. Stress Testing
Apply excessive pressure while writing to check the pen's durability and ink leakage.
5. Compatibility Testing
Test the pen on various surfaces (paper, glass, plastic) to ensure it writes smoothly on different materials.
6. Performance Testing
Evaluate the pen's writing speed and ink flow to meet performance expectations.
7. Usability Testing
Assess the pen's grip, comfort, and ease of use to ensure it is user-friendly.
8. Reliability Testing
Test the pen under continuous writing to check its reliability during extended usage.
9. Installation Testing
Verify that multi-part pens assemble easily and securely during usage.
10. Exploratory Testing
Creatively test the pen to uncover any potential hidden defects or unique scenarios.
11. Regression Testing
Repeatedly test the pen's core functionalities after any changes, such as ink replacement or design modifications.
12. User Acceptance Testing
Have potential users evaluate the pen's writing quality and other features to ensure it meets their expectations.
13. Security Testing
Ensure the pen cap securely covers the tip, preventing ink leaks or staining.
14. Recovery Testing
Accidentally drop the pen to verify if it remains functional or breaks upon impact.
15. Compliance Testing
If applicable, test the pen against industry standards or regulations.
To better prepare for your interviews, here are some topic-specific lists of interview questions:
The list above only touches mostly the theory of the QA industry. In several companies you will even be challenged with an interview project, which requires you to demonstrate your software testing skills. You can read through our Katalon Blog for up-to-date information on the testing industry, especially automation testing, which will surely be useful in your QA interview.
As a leading automation testing platform, Katalon offers free Software Testing courses for both beginners and intermediate testers through Katalon Academy, a comprehensive knowledge hub packed with informative resources.