QA_Interview_Questions_with_Answers
QA_Interview_Questions_with_Answers
2. Can you walk me through your process of developing and executing a test
plan?
The test plan development process begins with a requirement analysis phase to understand
what needs to be tested. I define the scope of testing, objectives, deliverables, testing types
(functional, regression, performance, etc.), and testing tools. Next, I outline the resource
allocation, timelines, risk analysis, and entry/exit criteria. Once the plan is reviewed and
approved, I proceed with creating detailed test cases and test data. During execution, I
monitor the progress, log defects, track their resolution, and ensure thorough
documentation. Periodic test reports are shared with stakeholders to keep everyone aligned
on the testing status.
3. What is the difference between a test case, test script, and a test plan?
A test case is a specific set of inputs, execution conditions, and expected outcomes
developed to verify a particular feature or functionality. A test script, on the other hand, is
an automated sequence of actions that performs the steps of a test case, often using tools
like Selenium or QTP. A test plan is a comprehensive document that outlines the overall
testing strategy, including scope, approach, resources, schedule, and deliverables. It
provides the high-level direction and management for the testing effort.
9. How do you report bugs and defects? What tools have you used?
I use tools like JIRA and Bugzilla to log and track defects. A well-reported bug includes a
clear summary, steps to reproduce, screenshots or logs, environment details, severity,
priority, and expected vs. actual results. I ensure proper categorization and assign the issue
to the right developer. I also participate in defect triage meetings to prioritize and discuss
critical issues.
10. Describe a time when you found a critical defect. How did you handle it?
During a release cycle, I discovered a critical defect in the payment gateway module where
certain credit card transactions were not processed correctly. I immediately documented
the bug with all necessary details, marked it as a blocker, and informed the QA lead and
developers. I collaborated closely with the development team to identify the root cause and
retested the fix across different environments before giving a go-ahead for production
deployment.
12. How do you maintain existing test cases when the application changes?
I conduct impact analysis whenever there’s a change in the application to identify affected
areas. Based on this, I update the relevant test cases or create new ones. I also use version
control systems to track changes in test cases and maintain documentation. For automation,
I refactor the scripts and modularize the components to reduce duplication and improve
maintainability.
14. What are the best practices for maintaining a test automation suite?
Best practices include modularizing the code, using data-driven or keyword-driven
approaches, keeping the test data external, and writing reusable methods. Regularly
reviewing and refactoring the code helps keep it maintainable. I also maintain a clear folder
structure, apply naming conventions, use version control, and document all scripts for easy
onboarding.
15. How do you prioritize testing when you're under a tight deadline?
In tight deadlines, I focus on risk-based testing and prioritize test cases based on critical
functionalities and user impact. I ensure smoke and sanity tests are executed first to
validate major workflows. I communicate clearly with stakeholders about what’s covered
and what’s not. I also collaborate with developers to get early builds for quick testing.
16. How do you stay current with testing tools and techniques?
I regularly read QA blogs, attend webinars and workshops, and take online courses on
platforms like Udemy and Coursera. I also experiment with new tools in my personal
projects and follow industry leaders on LinkedIn. Participating in QA communities helps me
learn best practices and stay updated.
17. Describe a challenge you faced in QA and how you overcame it.
In a previous role, our test environment had unstable builds causing frequent automation
failures. I worked with the development team to establish a build validation process before
deploying to QA. I also implemented retry logic in the scripts and separated environment-
related failures from real bugs. This improved test reliability and reduced false positives.
18. How do you ensure the quality of a product from end to end?
I ensure quality by being involved from the requirement analysis phase itself. I create
detailed test plans, perform comprehensive functional, regression, and exploratory testing,
and ensure API and backend validations are in place. I also collaborate with developers,
attend daily standups, and participate in UAT and release validations. Continuous feedback
and process improvement are part of my quality assurance approach.