Manual testing is an essential process that ensures software quality by identifying and fixing defects before release. As a manual tester, it’s crucial to have a deep understanding of testing concepts, testing methodologies, and testing tools. Preparing for a manual testing interview can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can increase your chances of success. In this article, we’ll discuss some commonly asked manual testing interview questions and provide answers to help you prepare.
What is manual testing, and why is it necessary?
Manual testing is the process of testing software applications manually to identify defects or bugs. It involves testing the software’s functionality, user interface, performance, and usability. Manual testing is necessary because it helps to identify bugs that automated testing may miss, and it provides valuable feedback on the application’s user experience.
What are the different types of testing?
There are various types of testing, including:
- Functional Testing: Testing the application’s functionality against the specified requirements.
- Regression Testing: Testing the application after making changes to ensure that no new defects have been introduced.
- Integration Testing: Testing the integration between different modules or systems.
- User Acceptance Testing: Testing the application from the end-user perspective to ensure that it meets their requirements.
- Performance Testing: Testing the application’s performance, such as response time and resource usage, under different conditions.
- Security Testing: Testing the application’s security features to ensure that they are functioning correctly.
- Usability Testing: Testing the application’s user interface and user experience to ensure that it is easy to use.
What is the testing life cycle, and what are its phases?
The testing life cycle consists of several phases, including:
- Test Planning: Defining the testing strategy and identifying the scope and objectives of testing.
- Test Case Design: Developing test cases and test scenarios based on the requirements and design documents.
- Test Environment Setup: Setting up the necessary hardware, software, and testing tools for testing.
- Test Execution: Running test cases and reporting defects.
- Test Closure: Analyzing test results, preparing test reports, and evaluating the testing process.
What is a test case?
A test case is a set of instructions or steps that describe how to test a particular feature or functionality of the application. It includes preconditions, test steps, and expected results.
How do you write a test case?
To write a test case, follow these steps:
- Identify the feature or functionality to be tested.
- Define the preconditions required for the test case.
- Write the test steps in a step-by-step manner.
- Specify the expected results of each test step.
- Verify that the actual results match the expected results.
What is a defect, and how do you report it?
A defect is a deviation from the expected behavior of the software application. To report a defect, follow these steps:
- Identify the defect and document it in a defect tracking tool.
- Provide a detailed description of the defect, including steps to reproduce it.
- Assign a severity and priority level to the defect.
- Notify the relevant stakeholders about the defect.
What is exploratory testing?
Exploratory testing is a testing approach that involves simultaneous learning, design, and execution of test cases. It is performed without a predefined test plan or test cases. The tester explores the application to identify defects and potential areas of improvement.
What is a test plan, and what does it include?
A test plan is a document that outlines the testing strategy for a software application. It includes the following:
- Testing objectives and scope
- Testing methodologies
- Test environment setup
- Testing schedule
- Test case design and execution strategy
- Defect tracking and reporting process
- Risk assessment and mitigation plan
Differentiate between verification and validation.
Answer:
- Verification: It focuses on evaluating work products during each phase of the software development life cycle (SDLC) to determine if they comply with specified requirements. It involves reviews, walkthroughs, and inspections to identify issues early and ensure compliance.
- Validation: It aims to ensure that the software system satisfies the intended use and customer requirements. Validation activities include testing, simulating real-world scenarios, and evaluating the system’s behavior against user expectations.
What are the key steps involved in the software testing life cycle (STLC)?
Answer:
- Requirement Analysis: Understanding the project requirements and defining the scope of testing.
- Test Planning: Developing a comprehensive test plan, including test objectives, strategies, and resource allocation.
- Test Case Design: Creating detailed test cases based on requirements and functional specifications.
- Test Environment Setup: Preparing the necessary hardware, software, and test data to execute test cases.
- Test Execution: Running test cases, capturing test results, and reporting defects.
- Defect Tracking: Recording and tracking defects, verifying fixes, and retesting.
- Test Closure: Evaluating test completion criteria, generating test reports, and conducting a post-mortem analysis.
What is the difference between functional testing and non-functional testing?
Answer:
- Functional Testing: It focuses on evaluating whether the software meets the functional requirements. It includes testing features, functionality, and user interactions to ensure the application performs as expected.
- Non-functional Testing: It assesses the software’s performance, reliability, usability, security, and other quality attributes. Non-functional testing involves activities such as load testing, stress testing, security testing, and usability testing.
Explain the types of testing techniques.
Answer:
- Black Box Testing: It involves testing the software without knowledge of the internal structure or code implementation. Testers assess the functionality by providing inputs and examining outputs.
- White Box Testing: Testers have access to the internal structure, design, and code of the software. They create test cases based on this knowledge to ensure that all paths and conditions are covered.
- Grey Box Testing: A combination of black box and white box testing. Testers have partial knowledge of the internal structure, which helps them design better test cases.
How do you handle regression testing?
Answer:
Regression testing ensures that changes or enhancements to the software do not adversely impact existing functionality. Here’s how to handle it:
- Identify impacted areas based on the change.
- Prioritize test cases and focus on critical areas.
- Execute test cases to verify that existing functionality remains intact.
- Automate repetitive regression test cases for efficient future testing.
What is the difference between positive and negative testing?
Answer:
- Positive Testing: It verifies if the software behaves as expected with valid inputs. The goal is to validate that the application functions correctly under normal conditions.
- Negative Testing: It validates the software’s ability to handle unexpected inputs or erroneous conditions. The focus is on error messages, system crashes, and unexpected behavior when invalid inputs are provided.
