2 - Test Automation Framework Interview Questions and Answers
2 - Test Automation Framework Interview Questions and Answers
Automated Testing is a type of software testing that automates the process of validating the
functionality of the software and ensures that the software meets its requirements before being
released for production.
Automated testing is important for continuous testing, continuous integration, and continuous delivery
software development practices.
It needs manual effort when creating initial scripts, and further process is performed automatically to
compare the results of actual testing with expected results.
Functionality changes regularly: The software or functionality under test changes regularly thus the
automated tests need to be updated frequently. Hence, the test can soon become obsolete and cease to
be useful.
Inefficient for UI bugs: Automated tests unless not programmed to check for UI flaws will not find any.
Not appropriate for exploratory testing: Exploratory testing is also not appropriate for automated
testing.
Tests that cannot be automated 100%: Tests that cannot be automated 100% should not be automated
at all unless it saves considerable time in automating them.
Tests requiring random testing: Tests that require random testing based on domain expertise should not
be automated.
The test environment is a setup of hardware and software for the testing teams to execute test cases.
The test environment also known as the test bed is configured as per the need of the Application Under
Test.
The test environment setup includes system and applications, test data, database server, browser,
network, etc.
Browser automation is the process of testing software in the browser using automated tools to reduce
testing time, effort and deliver faster results efficiently.
Functional Testing: Functional testing focuses on assessing the software against the set of functional
requirements and testing the main functions of the system.
Unit Testing: Unit testing involves testing the individual components of the system in isolation to verify
that they are working as required.
Integration Testing: Integration testing involves testing all the various units of the application in unity to
verify whether the system as a whole complies with the functional requirements set or not.
Smoke Testing: Smoke testing also known as confidence testing involves assessing the stability and
viability of the deployed build of the software.
Non-functional Testing: Non-functional testing involves testing all the non-functional requirements of an
application.
Performance Testing: Performance testing involves testing the software’s speed, responsiveness, and
stability under workload.
Regression Testing: Regression testing involves rerunning of functional and non-functional tests to see if
the software is performing the same way as before after some changes in the code have been made.
Keyword-driven Testing: Keyword-driven testing involves identifying the keywords and connecting them
with specific actions. Every time the keyword is used, related action will be automatically done.
Data-driven Testing: Data-driven testing involves using external data that is stored in the spreadsheet
format or tables to extend automated tests.
Some of the factors that are used to check the effectiveness of automation testing are:
Reusability
Time-saving
Maintenance
Installment costs
Test coverage
Automation Test Engineer also known as Test Automation Developer is an Automation Tester
responsible for the design, development, and testing of programs that run automated tests of hardware
and software throughout the development cycle.
Test Automation Platform is a system that automates the entire automation testing process by utilizing
the programs and scripts written by the developers or testers. Thus, making the automated software
testing simple.
10. What is the average number of test cases you have automated per day?
The average number of test cases depends upon the length and complexity of the test scenario. In
general, a QA tester can automate 2-4 test scenarios daily when the complexity is limited, and
sometimes only 1-2 test scenarios can be automated when the complexity is high.
Simplifies Test Case Execution: Automation testing can be left virtually unattended and thus it gives an
opportunity to monitor the results at the end of the process.
Improves Reliability of Tests: Automation testing ensures that there is equal focus on all the areas of the
testing, thus ensuring the best quality end product.
Increases amount of test coverage: Using automation testing, more test cases can be created and
executed for the application under test. This allows for the testing of more complex applications and
more features can be tested.
Minimizing Human Interaction: In automation testing, everything is automated from test case creation
to execution thus there are no changes for human error due to neglect.
Saves Time and Money: The initial investment for automation testing is on the higher side but it is cost-
efficient and time-efficient in the long run. This is due to the reduction in the amount of time required
for test case creation and execution which contributes to the high quality of work.
Earlier detection of defects: Automation testing documents the defects, thus making it easier for the
development team to fix the defect and give a faster output. The earlier defect is identified, the more
easier and cost-efficient it is to fix the defects.
High initial cost: Automation testing in the initial phases requires a lot of effort in selecting the tool and
designing customized software.
100% test automation is not possible: Generally, the effort is to automate all the test cases but in
practical real situations not all test cases can be automated there are some test cases that require
human intervention for careful observation.
Not possible to automate all testing types: It is not possible to automate tests that verify the user-
friendliness of the system. Similarly, if we talk about the graphics or sound files, even their testing
cannot be automated as automated tests typically use textual descriptions to verify the output.
Programming knowledge is required: Every automation testing tool uses any one of the programming
languages to write test scripts. Thus, it is mandatory to have programming knowledge for automation
testing.
False positives and negatives: Automation tests may sometimes fail and reflect that there is some issue
in the system but actually there is no issue present and in some cases, it may generate false negatives if
tests are designed to verify that some functionality exists and not to verify that it works as expected.
A stable build.
Functionalities to be tested.
TestNG is a powerful testing framework that provides features like flexible test configurations, test cases
that can be grouped, support for data-driven testing, inbuilt reporting, etc.
It supports parameterization.
The automation framework offers the benefit of reusing the code in various scenarios and it also helps
the team to write down the test script in a standard format. With the help of automation testing
frameworks, it is possible to achieve continuous testing of coding and delivery.
Automated test scripts are scripts where the script programmatically performs the setup and validation
on its own. Automated test scripts help to save time, reduce errors, and serve as documentation for the
software.
Here in this section, we have filtered automated interview questions for intermediate candidates. Go
through this section to get a hand on all the intermediate questions for an automated software tester.
System to be tested: The subsystems of the system to be tested must be stable before the start of the
automation test project.
Testing platform: The testing platform on which the system will be tested must be in place to carry out
the test automation project.
Test case library: The test case library is useful to compile the libraries of reusable test steps of basic
utilities that are to be used as the building blocks of automated test scripts.
Automated testing practice: The procedure describing how to automate test cases using test tools and
test libraries must be documented.
Testing tools: Different tools like test automation tools, traffic generation tools, and traffic monitoring
tools, support tools are required for the development of test scripts.
Test administrator: The test administrator manages the test case libraries, test platforms, and test tools.
It is also responsible for maintaining an inventory of templates, providing tutorials, etc.
Automated testing no doubt saves a lot of time and effort but it is impractical to automate all forms of
testing. User interface testing, accessibility testing, and usability testing are some forms of testing that
cannot be automated and can only be carried out by human testers.
It is also used to validate browser compatibility for desktop and web applications.
Some of the cross-browser testing tools are Sauce Labs, Browsershots, Browsera, Selenium Box, etc.
Create an Automation Test Plan: Develop a plan outlining the strategy for identification and an approach
for automation.
Identify test cases that can be automated: Identify the test cases that can be automated as not all test
cases can be automated and should not be automated.
Test early and frequently: Starting testing early and running tests, again and again, will help to find more
defects.
Create test data: Test data should be created carefully that exercises most parts of the application
including boundary conditions and edge cases.
Select appropriate tools and frameworks: It is best to choose an automated testing tool that not only
supports your application’s technology but should also be updated to support the latest technologies.
Testing Pyramid also known as Test Automation Pyramid describes the test types that the development
and QA team should include in an automated test suite.
The purpose of the test automation pyramid is to provide rapid feedback to ensure that code changes
do not impact the existing functionality.
It minimizes the time required for the developers to determine if an update was introduced.
Unrealistic expectation: Automation testing tools do not make a difficult test problem into an easy one
so unrealistic expectation from the tool is the first and foremost risk.
Vendor issues: A free tool is made licensed over the course of time due to the inability to update the
automation tools with changes in the software testing platform.
Underestimating the need for manual testing: As an automation test engineer it is important to
understand that not all tests can be automated. With repetitive automated tests, there might be an
issue called “Pesticide Paradox” where we do not find any new issues.
Tests that require user experience: Tests that require a user to respond as to how easy the app is to use
cannot be automated.
Tests that will be executed one time: Tests that will be run only one time should not be automated as it
will unnecessarily increase the project budget.
Tests that cannot be automated 100%: Tests that cannot be automated 100% should not be automated
at all.
Tests that don’t focus on risk areas: Tests that don’t focus on risk areas of the application should not be
automated at all.
Reduce tests through AI: Tests through UI are generally slower so it is better to convert UI tests to API
and unit tests wherever possible.
Parallelize your tests: Overall time needed to run the tests can be reduced by running tests in parallel.
Use Cloud-based testing solution: With the cloud-based testing solution tests can be executed on real
devices in the cloud. A cloud-based approach can be faster and more reliable.
Invest in Continuous Integration: Continuous integration helps to reduce the time it takes to run your
test suite by automating the build, testing, and deployment process.
Focus on critical functionality: It is a better option to focus on automating the most critical functionality
instead of automating every single feature of your application.
Automation testing helps to test repeatable test cases which can be reproduced deterministically.
It helps to reduce the amount of manual testing required but it does not eliminate it.
UI Testing is User Interface Testing a type of software testing that ensures the UI of a website is user-
friendly and meets the expected customer requirements.
It evaluates the design of elements such as layout, colors, fonts, font sizes, etc.
Protractor is an Automation testing framework that is written using NodeJS and offers combined end-to-
end testing for web applications that are built using AngularJS. It supports both Angular and Non-
Angular applications.
The purpose is not only to test AngularJS applications but also to write automated regression tests for
normal web applications.
It automatically executes the next step in tests the moment the webpage finishes the pending tasks.
Documentation plays a vital role in Test Automation. Having well-written documentation explains not
only what, but also why it is important for the team members when they try to understand the tests. It
is important to document all the procedures and methods, to ensure test repeatability.
Open-source: Selenium is freeware and a portable tool that can be downloaded freely and community-
based support is freely available.
Simultaneous execution of test cases: Selenium supports simultaneous execution of test cases in
multiple environments and browsers.
Supports multiple operating systems: Selenium can operate and support multiple operating systems like
Windows, Mac, Linux, and Unix. The test suite can be created across any platform and then can be
executed on another one.
Supports tools to diagnose failures: Selenium provides tools that are needed to diagnose the failures
and rebuild a similar environment for new test execution.
Captures screenshots: Selenium captures the screenshot of browsers at different stages of test case
execution.
30. What are the Limitations of Selenium?
No support for desktop applications: Selenium does not support testing for desktop applications.
Expertise: Selenium requires the expertise of your team — and resources to manage.
Open Source Forums: Since Selenium is open-source software, one has to rely on community forums to
get your technical issues resolved.
No support for REST and SOAP Platforms: We can’t perform automation tests on web services like SOAP
or REST using Selenium.
No Reporting capability: Selenium does not have any inbuilt reporting capability, one has to rely on plug-
ins like JUnit and TestNG for test reports.
Ease of use: The testing framework should be easy to use, starting with the installation and ending with
user-friendly test reports.
Reliability: The testing framework should be reliable and should be tested with the aim of preventing it
from crashing.
Reporting: Reporting is one of the important features of the testing framework. Test reports that are
unreadable, and vague, make even the best test cases useless.
Integration: The testing framework should be easy to integrate with other tools.
Portability: The testing framework must be usable on different OS and different environments.
32. Is Automation Testing a Black box testing or White box Testing technique?
Automation testing is mostly black-box testing as only the steps that a manual tester performs for
software without knowledge of the code of the application are programmed.
Continuous Integration is a practice in which the team of developers intermittently merges the code
changes into the shared repository. In this developers are integrating multiple times throughout the day
and committing to changes about once a day or a few times a week.
Continuous delivery lets automated testing developers to test beyond unit tests and helps them to verify
the application updates across multiple dimensions before deploying to customers. With this every code
change is built, tested, and then pushed to non-production testing.
35. What is the scripting standard followed while performing Automation Testing?
Automation testing can be done without a testing framework but it is not recommended. The
automation testing framework guides testers on how to execute the scripts, how to report the results,
where to store them, etc. In short, the testing framework is like a blueprint.
Cross-browser testing helps to ensure that the application or the website delivers an optimal user
experience independent of the browser that is used to access it. It helps to create a positive user
experience on the website, no matter which browser or device the user uses to connect.
Java
Python
Ruby
C#
JavaScript
Perl
PHP
Here in this section, you will find all experienced-level questions for automated testing interview
questions.
39. List the differences between Manual Testing and Automation Testing.
Decide the scope of test automation: This is the first stage of automation testing that involves deciding
which modules can be mechanized and which not, which test cases can be automated, and how to
automate them.
Choose the appropriate automation tool: Selecting the appropriate automation testing tool is a basic
stage for an automation testing lifecycle. Some of the popular automation testing tools are Selenium,
Appium, Cucumber, SoapUI, etc.
Plan, Design, and Strategy: During this phase, testers make an automation procedure and plan.
Setup the test environment: This phase involves setting up the test environment that involves setting up
a machine where test scripts will be executed.
Test script execution: To execute the test scripts, the automation testing team must ensure that all the
scripts are properly running. For this, they need to take notice of the processes like the test scripts
should be created based on actual requirements, a common function method must be created to be
used throughout the test process, etc.
Examine and Maintenance approach: It is the last phase of automation testing in which the testing team
examines to determine whether the specific segments that experience an overall number of issue
reports require an extra test attempt or not. The maintenance phase is used to validate whether the
new functionality added to the product is working fine or not.
41. Some popular tools you would use for Automation Testing.
Selenium: Selenium is an open-source framework for web testing automation. It is a suite of software
consisting of Selenium WebDriver, Selenium Grid, and Selenium IDE.
Katalon: Katalon is a scalable automation testing tool for web API, desktop, and mobile applications. It
has flexible methods for test design recording and playback, manual, and scripting mode.
Appium: Appium is an open-source tool that is used for mobile applications. It allows users to write
automated UI tests for native, web-based, and hybrid mobile applications on both Android and iOS.
TestComplete: TestComplete can automate functional UI testing for desktop, mobile, and web
applications. It can handle and identify dynamic UI elements in most available technologies. It supports
programming languages like JavaScript, Python, JScript, C++, etc.
Cypress: Cypress is an automation tool for end-to-end testing that can directly operate with the browser
in the same run-loop as your application. It supports JavaScript programming language and integrations
with popular CI/ CD tools.
Project Requirements: Automation tool selection should be based on the project requirements. The type
of application that needs to be tested, platforms that need to be tested, and language application is
built-in.
Team Skills: When selecting a tool for automation it is important to decide whether the project requires
a codeless test automation tool or an automation tool that requires coding.
Budget: This is a very important criterion for selecting a testing tool. It is important to consider the cost
of human resources, time spent on the learning tool, time being spent on automation, and the cost of
infrastructure.
Reusability: It is important to look for tools that allow the reuse of the already created test steps to
avoid writing the same code multiple times in multiple test cases and avoid duplication of efforts.
Support for Tools for Integration: Select a tool that integrates with CI/ CD tools that will be used in the
project.
The modular testing framework involves the tester dividing the application into modules and creating
test scripts for each module. These test scripts are combined to build larger tests in a hierarchical
fashion.
It involves less effort for creating test cases as test scripts for individual modules can be reused.
In case of changes to the application, only the module and its associated test scripts need to be fixed.
Data-Driven Testing Framework: In a data-driven testing framework, testers can store and pass input/
output parameters to test scripts from an external data source.
Hybrid Testing Framework: Hybrid testing framework combines the data-driven testing framework and
keyword-driven testing framework allowing more scope for increased productivity and better success.
Modular Testing Framework: This framework requires the existence of various modules to run the
framework and separate test scripts need to be created for every module and collaborate with them to
create test cases for the application.
Linear Scripting Framework: Linear scripting is carried out manually and it takes up ample time to
execute. It is also known as Record and Playback framework. It also requires time for maintenance.
Behavior-Driven Framework: Behavior-driven framework that allows the tester to create test cases in
simple English. The test scenarios are easy to understand by everyone on the team.
Data-driven testing is a software testing approach in which the test data is stored in the tables and it
allows testers to input a single test script that can execute tests for all test data from a table and expect
test output in the same table.
Keyword-driven testing framework divides test cases as test steps, objects of test steps, actions on test
steps, and data for test objects.
It uses a table of keywords to represent the actions and inputs for each test case.
In this, the set of keywords is identified and then actions are associated related to these keywords.
The hybrid testing framework is a combination of a data-driven testing framework and a keyword-driven
testing framework.
It is mostly used by manual testers who don’t have knowledge of programming languages.
They can simply have a look at the keywords, test data, and object repository and start creating test
cases without having to code anything in the framework.
Robot framework is an open-source test automation framework that is used for acceptance testing and
acceptance-test-driven development. It follows different frameworks like data-driven, keyword-driven,
and behaviour-driven development for writing test cases.
It provides support for external libraries and open-source tools that can be used for automation.
In this test cases are written using keyword style in a tabular format.
The most popular library used in the Robot framework is Selenium Library.
Selenium Grid: Selenium Grid is used for parallel testing as it enables the execution of varied tests in
multiple machines simultaneously.
Selenium IDE: Selenium IDE is available as Firefox and Chrome plugins. The recording, debugging, and
editing of the functional tests can be done in Selenium IDE.
Selenium RC: It is the server implemented in Java that can accept commands for browsers using HTTP.
Selenium Webdriver: Selenium Webdriver receives commands and passes them to the browser. It
supports browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE, etc.
Efficiency: Automated tests can be run much faster and more frequently than manual tests, which can
save a lot of time and resources.
Consistency: Automated tests can be run with the same inputs and expected outputs every time,
ensuring consistent results.
Reduced human error: Automated tests remove the possibility of human error, which can lead to more
accurate and reliable test results.
Reusability: Automated tests can be reused for different versions of the software, which can save time
and effort.
Continuous integration: Automated tests can be integrated into continuous integration and continuous
delivery pipelines, which can help identify and fix issues early in the development process.
Scalability: Automated tests can be used to test large and complex applications, which would be
impractical or impossible to test manually.
You must ask 5 questions to the interviewer at the end of your interview.
1) What major changes have you done in your framework, can you explain the same?
Ans: This is a very tricky question, you should share the exact changes you have made for your
framework. For example, you can consider using Retry Listeners to rerun failed test cases. You also need
to explain how you have implemented the same.
Refer to the link to check How to Implement Retry Listeners in Automation Framework?
Test Automation Framework is an Integral Part of Automation and it also makes sense also as designing
& maintaining the Framework needs expertise. A test automation framework is a set of guidelines or
rules that can be used to define test cases. These test cases can then be configured and implemented
using test automation tools such as Selenium, Puppeteer, etc., to the delivery process via a CI_CD
Pipeline.
A test automation framework will consist of practices and tools that are designed to create efficient test
cases. These practices range from coding standards, test-data handling methods, object repository
management, and managing access control to test environment and external tools, etc.
Ans: By calculating and demonstrating Test Automation’s Return on Investment (ROI), we can be better
convinced that the investment will be worthwhile in the long run. Delivering more quantitative numbers
on building and maintaining a test automation framework may be more helpful to get everyone on
board for Automation.
To calculate Automation ROI first you need to first calculate the Manual Execution time of your test
case. This value can be updated in your Test Management Tool.
Ans: This is a very tricky question to figure out how much exposure you have working with Automation.
So sharing an honest answer would always be good.
Let me give an example: You are working on some service API testing and you are unable to perform the
automation as you don't have access to some component, in that you can come up with an idea to
create a mocking service integrated to your framework.
Ans: As we all know that proper HTML reporting is very important for Automation. So never answer that
you don't have a reporting structure in your framework. There are many reporting ways available for
framework, one of the most used ones is Extent Reporting.
You also need to provide a preview of the extent reporting implementation in Framework, please refer
to the post here on Extent Report Integration with Framework
Else you can say that you haven't designed anything from scratch but you have participated in
Framework Enhancements in terms of CI-CD integration or HTML reporting.
1. We want to organize and standardize the test suite, which will further help in:
2. We want to be able to provide a way to organize groups of test cases. This will enable us to run
specific tests.
3. Provide a layer of abstraction to protect the test suite against changes in service call protocols in
order to minimize changes to the test code.
4. Decoupling the test cases from the automation code could lead to test automation misses, lack of
visibility of mapping between the test case to test function. Hence, we want to provide mapping
between test cases to its corresponding automation function.
5. We want to be able to run our tests on any endpoint including the development desktops, all stages
of the environment (DEVO/BETA/GAMMA etc), to enable integration testing on them.
6. We want to be able to use standard tools for reporting test runs, collecting metrics, deployments.
In our team we basically use Groups in TestNG to manage different Test Suites like Sanity, Regression.
TestNG allows us to perform sophisticated groupings of test methods. Not only can we declare that
methods belong to groups, but we can also specify groups that contain other groups. Then TestNG can
be invoked and asked to include a certain set of groups while excluding another set. This gives us
maximum flexibility in how we partition our tests. Example:
@Test(groups={"sanitytest","regressiontest"})
8) Do you know what is Mocking and have you ever used it in your framework or writing tests?
Ans: Mocking in programming refers to an action of substituting a part of the software with its fake
counterpart. It is super useful with API Test Frameworks.
9) Can you tell me about the type of class you have in your utility package?
Ans: util package in Java is a package which contains various utility classes and interfaces. It provides
basic functionality for commonly occurring use cases.
- ExtentReport
- ScreenShotUtility
- JsonReader
- RetryListener
- StringUtil
- AssertionService
The best way to manage your Automation Suite execution is by integrating the same with pipeline CICD,
like Jenkins, CircleCI.
Check out the posts here to Run Scheduled Automation Suite Job From Jenkins
11) If you want to execute your maven suite in dev-desktop or linux instance then what steps would you
follow to install Maven into the Linux machine?
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Lets answer a very important interview question for Automation QA and SDET Job Role: TELL ME ABOUT
YOURSELF
🔴I'm a test automation engineer with 3-8 years of experience, depending on how you define it. I've
always been passionate about technology, and I got my start in software testing during my initial phase
of my career. Since then, I've focused my career on test automation, developing the skills and
knowledge to create robust, reliable test automation frameworks.
🔴In my current role, I work closely with development teams to integrate test automation into the
software development lifecycle.
🔴I have experience with a variety of tools and technologies, including Selenium, Appium, RestAssured,
Maven, Git, Jenkins, and more.
🔴I'm also familiar with various programming languages, including Java, Python, and C#, which enables
me to create customised solutions for a range of projects.
🔴Specifically, I have experience with Maven as a build automation tool, which allows me to manage
project dependencies and streamline the build process.
🔴I'm also skilled in using Git as a version control system, which helps me to collaborate effectively with
other team members and manage code changes efficiently.
🔴Additionally, I have experience with Jenkins as a continuous integration and continuous delivery
(CI/CD) tool, which enables me to automate the testing and deployment process.
🔴I'm a detail-oriented problem solver, and I enjoy collaborating with others to find innovative solutions
to complex challenges.
🔴Outside of work, I enjoy staying up-to-date on emerging technologies and industry trends, as well as
spending time with my family and friends.
*********************
Check the link below for SDET specific Job Roles & Responsibilities:
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*********************
https://automationreinvented.blogspot.com/2022/10/how-to-perform-pen-actions-using.html
Question:
How would you deal with flaky tests in your Selenium automation suite using TestNG?
Answer:
To address flaky tests, I would implement retry logic in TestNG. By using the retryAnalyzer feature in
TestNG, I can specify a custom retry analyzer class that determines whether a failed test should be
retried based on certain conditions, such as specific exceptions or test result statuses. This helps
improve the reliability of the test suite by rerunning failed tests automatically.
Question:
Explain how you would implement parallel execution of tests in TestNG for faster execution in your
Selenium automation framework.
Answer:
TestNG allows running tests in parallel, either at the suite or test level, by organizing them into different
suites and configuring parallel attributes like "parallel" and "thread-count".
</suite>
Question:
Describe how you would perform data-driven testing using TestNG in your Selenium automation
framework.
Answer:
TestNG supports data-driven testing through its @DataProvider annotation, which allows me to supply
test data from external sources such as Excel sheets or databases. I can create a method annotated with
@DataProvider to provide test data, and then annotate my test methods with @Test(dataProvider) to
execute the tests with different data sets. This enables to execute the same test logic with multiple input
values and verify the expected behavior.
@DataProvider(name = "loginData")
public Object[][] getLoginData() {
{"user1", "pwd1"},
{"user2", "pwd2"},
};
@Test(dataProvider = "loginData")
Question:
How would you group and tag tests in TestNG for better organization and selective execution in your
Selenium automation framework?
Answer:
TestNG allows grouping tests using the @Test(groups) annotation, enabling selective execution and
better organization of test suites by defining groups in testng.xml. This allows for selective execution of
tests and better organization of test suites like smoke, sanity, regression.
// code
Note:
Responses may differ, but I've provided examples for clarity. It's best to use examples specific to projects
rather than general ones.
👉 Authentication Scenario:
Question:
You're testing an API that requires authentication using OAuth 2.0. How would you design test scenarios
to ensure that the API correctly handles authentication tokens, including scenarios for obtaining,
refreshing, and invalidating tokens?
Answer:
To ensure proper handling of authentication tokens in our API testing, I would design test scenarios
covering the complete lifecycle of OAuth 2.0 tokens. This includes tests for obtaining tokens
successfully, refreshing expired tokens, and verifying that invalid tokens result in appropriate
authentication errors.
Question:
You're tasked with testing an API endpoint that accepts user input for creating a new resource. Describe
how you would design test scenarios to validate various types of input data (e.g., strings, numbers,
special characters) and ensure the API responds appropriately to invalid input.
Answer:
For testing the API endpoint that accepts user input, I'd craft test scenarios to cover a variety of input
data types such as strings, numbers, and special characters. These scenarios will validate that the API
responds correctly to valid input and appropriately handles invalid input, such as rejecting requests with
invalid data types or exceeding length limits.
Question:
Consider a scenario where the API encounters an internal server error (HTTP status code 500) during the
processing of a request. How would you verify that the API returns the correct error response with
relevant error messages, and how would you handle and report such errors in your testing framework?
Answer:
In the event of an internal server error (HTTP status code 500), I would verify that the API responds with
the expected error response containing relevant error messages. Additionally, I'd ensure that our testing
framework is capable of detecting such errors, logging them appropriately, and generating reports for
further analysis and debugging.
👉 Concurrency Scenario:
Question:
How would you approach testing the API's behaviour under high load or concurrent requests? Describe
the strategies and tools you would use to simulate concurrent requests and analyse the API's
performance, scalability, and response times under varying levels of load.
Answer:
To test the API's behaviour under high load or concurrent requests, I would employ strategies such as
stress testing and load testing. Tools like Apache JMeter or Gatling can be used to simulate concurrent
requests and analyse the API's performance, scalability, and response times under varying levels of load.
These tests will help identify any bottlenecks or performance issues that need to be addressed.
Question:
Imagine you're testing an API that interacts with a database to retrieve or manipulate data. How would
you design test scenarios to ensure data consistency between the API responses and the underlying
database state? Do consider scenarios involving CRUD operations, data integrity checks.
Answer:
When testing an API interacting with a database, I'd design test scenarios to ensure data consistency
between API responses and the underlying database state. This includes testing CRUD operations to
verify that data is correctly created, read, updated, and deleted through the API. Additionally, I'd
perform data integrity checks to ensure that the data returned by the API matches the expected state of
the database.
Behavioural Questions:
Can you describe a situation where you had to prioritise testing tasks to meet tight deadlines?
Answer: In my previous project, we had a critical release deadline approaching. I collaborated with the
team to identify high-priority test cases and focused on testing the critical functionalities first. I also
communicated with stakeholders to manage expectations and ensure that essential features were
thoroughly tested within the given timeframe.
Answer: I believe in maintaining open communication and collaboration with developers. Whenever
there's a disagreement about a reported bug, I provide detailed evidence and steps to reproduce the
issue. I also encourage constructive discussions to understand the root cause and work together to find
the best solution for the project.
Describe a time when you had to adapt to changes in project requirements midway through the testing
phase.
Answer: In a recent project, we received updated requirements from the client during the testing phase.
I quickly analysed the changes and adjusted our test cases accordingly. I collaborated with the team to
ensure everyone was aligned with the new requirements and updated the test documentation to reflect
the changes. This proactive approach helped us maintain the quality of deliverables despite the changes.
How do you ensure effective communication within your QA team and with other project stakeholders?
Answer: I believe in regular and transparent communication. I schedule daily stand-up meetings with the
QA team to discuss progress, blockers, and any upcoming tasks. I also actively participate in sprint
planning meetings and retrospectives to align priorities and address any issues. Additionally, I use tools
like JIRA to track tasks and updates, ensuring that everyone is informed and on the same page.
Can you share an experience where you successfully implemented test automation to improve testing
efficiency?
Answer: In a previous project, we identified repetitive test cases that were suitable for automation. I
conducted a feasibility study and selected Selenium for web automation and Rest Assured for API
testing. After developing the automation framework, we integrated it with Jenkins for continuous
integration. This automation initiative significantly reduced manual effort, improved test coverage, and
accelerated the release cycle.
Situational Questions:
You've encountered a critical bug in production after a recent release. Walk me through your approach
to investigating and resolving the issue.
Answer: First, I would gather as much information as possible about the issue, including error logs, user
reports, and any recent code changes. I would then reproduce the issue in a controlled environment and
analyse the root cause. Once the cause is identified, I would collaborate with developers to develop and
test a fix. After verifying the fix, I would coordinate with the release team to deploy the patch to
production and communicate with stakeholders about the resolution.
Imagine you're assigned to a new project with complex business logic and limited documentation. How
would you approach understanding the application and designing test cases?
Answer: I would start by conducting thorough exploratory testing to understand the application's
functionality and behaviour. I would interact with developers, product owners, and other stakeholders
to gather insights into the business logic and requirements. Based on my findings, I would create test
scenarios and prioritise test cases to cover critical functionalities first. I would also document my testing
approach and collaborate with the team to refine and validate the test cases.
You're tasked with implementing API tests for a new feature. How would you approach designing and
executing these tests?
Answer: First, I would review the API documentation to understand the endpoints, request parameters,
and expected responses. I would then design test cases covering various scenarios, including positive
and negative test cases, boundary conditions, and error handling. Using tools like Rest Assured, I would
automate these test cases and integrate them into the CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins. Finally, I would
execute the tests against different environments and analyse the results to ensure the feature's
reliability and stability.
Your team is adopting Agile methodologies for the first time. How would you contribute to ensuring a
successful transition to Agile testing practices?
Answer: I would actively participate in Agile ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and
retrospectives to understand the team's goals and priorities. I would advocate for a collaborative
approach to testing, emphasising early and continuous feedback. I would also encourage test
automation and continuous integration to accelerate testing cycles and improve release quality.
Additionally, I would share best practices and mentor team members to build their skills and confidence
in Agile testing practices.
You've identified a regression bug in the latest release. How would you prevent similar issues from
occurring in future releases?
Answer: To prevent similar regression issues, I would suggest implementing robust regression test suites
covering critical functionalities and edge cases. I would also recommend enhancing our automated
testing framework to include regression tests that run automatically as part of the CI/CD pipeline.
Additionally, I would advocate for thorough code reviews and collaboration between developers and
testers to catch issues early in the development
Describe a situation where you had to deal with a challenging stakeholder who had unrealistic
expectations regarding the testing timeline. How did you manage the situation?
Answer: In a previous project, we had a stakeholder who demanded an unrealistic testing timeline due
to aggressive project deadlines. I initiated a meeting with the stakeholder to discuss the constraints and
risks associated with the proposed timeline. I provided insights into the testing process, explained the
need for thorough testing to maintain quality, and presented a revised timeline that balanced project
deadlines with testing requirements. By effectively communicating the trade-offs and collaborating on a
realistic plan, we reached a consensus that satisfied both the stakeholder and the testing team.
Imagine you're assigned to a project with a limited budget for testing resources. How would you
prioritize testing efforts to maximize coverage within the budget constraints?
Answer: I would start by conducting a risk assessment to identify critical functionalities and areas of the
application that require thorough testing. Based on the assessment, I would prioritize testing efforts on
high-risk areas that could have a significant impact on the project's success or end-user experience. I
would also leverage automation tools like Selenium and Rest Assured to automate repetitive test cases
and optimize testing efficiency. Additionally, I would explore crowd testing or collaboration with other
teams to supplement testing efforts within the budget constraints.
You're part of a cross-functional Agile team, and a new feature requires coordination between multiple
teams for testing. How would you ensure effective collaboration and alignment between teams to
deliver high-quality results?
Answer: I would start by establishing clear communication channels and regular sync-ups with all
relevant teams involved in testing the feature. I would encourage cross-functional collaboration by
organizing joint testing sessions, where testers, developers, and product owners can collaborate to
validate the feature's functionality and integration. Additionally, I would leverage Agile ceremonies like
sprint planning and retrospectives to address any bottlenecks or dependencies and ensure alignment on
testing priorities and goals across teams.
You've been tasked with improving test coverage for a legacy application with minimal existing test
documentation. How would you approach this challenge?
Answer: I would start by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the application's functionalities and
identifying areas with the highest risk and impact. I would then prioritize test coverage efforts based on
the criticality of these functionalities. Using techniques like exploratory testing and risk-based testing, I
would create test scenarios to cover critical paths and edge cases. I would also work closely with
developers to understand the application's architecture and identify areas where automated tests can
be implemented using tools like Selenium and Rest Assured.
Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a complex test automation failure. How did you
identify the root cause and resolve the issue?
Answer: In a recent project, we encountered a recurring test automation failure that was impacting our
release cycle. I started by analyzing the test logs and error messages to identify patterns and potential
causes of failure. I then reviewed the test scripts and environment configurations to pinpoint any
discrepancies or dependencies. After identifying the root cause, I collaborated with the development
team to implement a fix and re-run the automated tests to validate the resolution. I also updated the
test framework and error handling mechanisms to prevent similar failures in the future.
Scenario: Your team is falling behind on a project deadline. How would you handle the situation?
Question: How do you motivate and manage your team to meet tight deadlines?
Answer: I would conduct a quick team meeting to identify challenges and bottlenecks. Then, I'll delegate
tasks based on team members' strengths, monitor progress closely, and provide necessary support.
Regular check-ins and positive reinforcement will keep the team motivated.
Scenario: A new feature is being introduced, and you need to ensure thorough testing. How would you
design the testing process?
Question: Can you outline your approach to implementing a comprehensive testing process for a new
feature release?
Answer: I'd start with a detailed test plan, covering functional, performance, and security testing.
Collaborating with development, I'll define test cases, prioritise testing areas, and establish a feedback
loop for continuous improvement.
Scenario: A critical bug is discovered in a production environment. How would you respond?
Question: How do you prioritise and handle critical bugs that are affecting the live system?
Answer: I'd immediately assemble a cross-functional team to assess the impact and identify a quick fix.
Communication is key—keeping stakeholders informed about the situation and providing an estimated
resolution time.
Scenario: The organisation wants to increase test automation coverage. How would you approach this
initiative?
Question: What steps would you take to implement test automation in a team that has limited
experience with automation?
Answer: I'd start with a feasibility study, assess skill gaps, and provide training where needed. Gradually,
I'll introduce automation frameworks and mentor the team to write and maintain automated tests.
Conflict Resolution:
Scenario: Two team members are having a disagreement that is affecting team dynamics. How would
you resolve this conflict?
Question: Describe a situation where you successfully resolved a conflict within your team.
Answer: I'd organize a private meeting with both individuals to understand their perspectives.
Encouraging open communication and finding a common ground would be my approach. If needed, I'll
involve HR for further assistance.
Vendor Management:
Scenario: Your team is considering outsourcing some testing activities. How would you evaluate and
manage a testing vendor?
Question: How do you assess and select a testing vendor for external testing services?
Answer: I'd start with a detailed vendor evaluation, considering their expertise, track record, and cost-
effectiveness. A clear SLA and regular performance reviews would be established to ensure quality.
Continuous Improvement:
Scenario: Your team has completed a project. How do you conduct a retrospective to improve processes
for the next project?
Question: Describe your approach to continuous improvement in a QA team.
Answer: I'd conduct a retrospective meeting with the team, analyzing what went well, areas for
improvement, and lessons learned. Actionable items would be identified and implemented in
subsequent projects.
Stakeholder Communication:
Scenario: You need to communicate testing progress and results to non-technical stakeholders. How do
you approach this?
Question: Explain how you tailor your communication about testing progress to non-technical
stakeholders.
Answer: I'd create concise and visually appealing reports highlighting key metrics and testing outcomes.
Holding regular meetings or sending status updates would keep stakeholders informed and engaged.
Scenario: The company is adopting a new technology stack. How would you ensure your QA team is
prepared for this change?
Question: How do you keep your QA team updated and skilled in new technologies?
Answer: I'd organize training sessions, encourage self-learning, and possibly bring in external experts for
workshops. The team would also be involved in pilot projects to gain hands-on experience.
Scenario: Management wants to see metrics indicating the effectiveness of the QA process. What
metrics would you choose, and how would you present them?
Question: Can you outline the key performance indicators (KPIs) you would use to measure the success
of your QA team?
Answer: I'd focus on metrics like test coverage, defect density, and release quality. Clear, visual
dashboards would be created for easy interpretation by both the team and management.
18. How to pass username and password in header of api request without exposing in rest assured?
19. Program to find duplicate characters in a given string with its occurance(Should not use hashmap)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g6lXRMhCci5fudfRqyiGyiGqIr1CbhjA/view?
Workshop on usp=sharing
transitioning
from
Automation QA
to SDET with a
comprehensive
learning plan
from basic to
advanced
levels:
PS Interview Questions:
13. Cucumber - how to run test cases parallely without testng being integrated
5. For Coding - they will provide a n online compiler link separately for executing the programs
Program on a given input string to print the letters, digits, special char separately as output
8. questions on waits
12. Selenium Code for switching to required window and close it then come back to the default window
18. STLC
1. Self intro
5. what are the reasons that can cause a test case to fail
6. when jobs are scheduled in jenkins and next day it fails due to unkown reasons. What would one do
to self heal automatically
7. what are the ways to complete exexution where there are more numb of cases and less time
9. application architecture of current proj ( front end, back end, third party tools in-between)