25 Advanced Manual Testing interview questions and answers tailored for experienced professionals. These questions are designed to test deep knowledge, practical experience, and problem-solving skills in manual testing.
1. What is the difference between functional testing and non-functional testing?
Answer:
- Functional Testing verifies that the software functions as per the requirements (e.g., login functionality, search feature).
- Non-Functional Testing checks aspects like performance, usability, scalability, and security (e.g., load testing, stress testing).
2. How do you prioritize test cases for execution?
Answer:
Test cases are prioritized based on:
- Criticality of the feature (high-risk areas first).
- Frequency of use (most-used features).
- Complexity of the feature.
- Dependencies between test cases.
3. What is exploratory testing, and when is it used?
Answer:
Exploratory testing is an unscripted approach where testers explore the application without predefined test cases. It is used:
- When requirements are unclear.
- To find unexpected defects.
- During early stages of development or for ad-hoc testing.
4. How do you handle a situation where requirements are unclear or missing?
Answer:
- Collaborate with stakeholders (BA, product owner, or developers) to clarify requirements.
- Use existing documentation or similar features as a reference.
- Perform exploratory testing to identify potential gaps.
5. What is a test scenario, and how is it different from a test case?
Answer:
- Test Scenario: A high-level description of what to test (e.g., “Test login functionality”).
- Test Case: A detailed set of steps, inputs, and expected results to validate a specific scenario (e.g., “Verify login with valid credentials”).
6. How do you ensure complete test coverage?
Answer:
- Review requirements thoroughly.
- Use traceability matrices to map test cases to requirements.
- Include positive, negative, and edge cases.
- Perform risk-based testing to cover high-priority areas.
7. What is the difference between retesting and regression testing?
Answer:
- Retesting: Re-executing failed test cases after fixes to ensure the issue is resolved.
- Regression Testing: Re-testing the entire application to ensure new changes haven’t introduced new defects.
8. How do you perform risk-based testing?
Answer:
- Identify high-risk areas (e.g., complex features, frequently used functionalities).
- Prioritize test cases based on risk impact and likelihood.
- Allocate more testing effort to high-risk areas.
9. What is a defect lifecycle, and what are its stages?
Answer:
The defect lifecycle includes:
- New: Defect is logged.
- Assigned: Defect is assigned to a developer.
- Open: Developer starts fixing.
- Fixed: Developer resolves the issue.
- Retest: Tester verifies the fix.
- Closed: Defect is confirmed as resolved.
10. How do you determine the severity and priority of a defect?
Answer:
- Severity: Impact of the defect on the system (e.g., critical, major, minor).
- Priority: Urgency to fix the defect (e.g., high, medium, low).
Example: A typo in the UI (low severity, low priority) vs. a login failure (high severity, high priority).
11. What is boundary value analysis, and how is it used in testing?
Answer:
Boundary value analysis tests the edges of input ranges (e.g., minimum, maximum, just above/below limits). It is used to find defects at the boundaries of input domains.
12. What is equivalence partitioning?
Answer:
Equivalence partitioning divides input data into valid and invalid partitions. Test cases are designed to cover each partition, reducing redundant testing.
13. How do you test a web application for cross-browser compatibility?
Answer:
- Test the application on different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
- Check for consistent functionality, layout, and performance.
- Use tools like BrowserStack or Sauce Labs for automation.
14. What is usability testing, and why is it important?
Answer:
Usability testing evaluates how user-friendly the application is. It is important because it ensures the application is intuitive, easy to navigate, and meets user expectations.
15. How do you handle tight deadlines in testing?
Answer:
- Prioritize test cases based on risk and impact.
- Focus on critical functionalities first.
- Use automation for repetitive tasks.
- Communicate risks and limitations to stakeholders.
16. What is the difference between smoke testing and sanity testing?
Answer:
- Smoke Testing: Verifies the basic functionality of the build (build stability).
- Sanity Testing: Verifies specific functionality after minor changes (logical correctness).
17. How do you test APIs manually?
Answer:
- Use tools like Postman or Swagger to send requests and validate responses.
- Check status codes, response time, and data accuracy.
- Test edge cases and error handling.
18. What is the role of a test plan, and what does it include?
Answer:
A test plan outlines the testing strategy, scope, resources, schedule, and deliverables. It includes:
- Objectives and scope.
- Test environment.
- Test cases and tools.
- Risk management and exit criteria.
19. How do you ensure data integrity during testing?
Answer:
- Use test data that mimics production data.
- Perform database testing to verify CRUD operations.
- Validate data consistency across the application.
20. What is the difference between black-box and white-box testing?
Answer:
- Black-Box Testing: Testing without knowledge of internal code (focus on functionality).
- White-Box Testing: Testing with knowledge of internal code (focus on code structure and logic).
21. How do you report defects effectively?
Answer:
- Provide a clear and concise summary.
- Include steps to reproduce, expected vs. actual results, and screenshots.
- Mention severity, priority, and environment details.
22. What is the importance of test closure activities?
Answer:
Test closure activities ensure that testing is complete and documented. They include:
- Summarizing test results.
- Documenting lessons learned.
- Archiving test artifacts for future reference.
23. How do you handle a situation where developers disagree with your reported defect?
Answer:
- Provide detailed evidence (steps, screenshots, logs).
- Discuss the issue collaboratively.
- Involve a third party (e.g., QA lead or product owner) if needed.
24. What is the difference between verification and validation?
Answer:
- Verification: Checking if the product is built correctly (e.g., reviews, walkthroughs).
- Validation: Checking if the correct product is built (e.g., testing against requirements).
25. How do you stay updated with the latest testing trends and tools?
Answer:
- Follow industry blogs, forums, and webinars.
- Participate in QA communities and conferences.
- Experiment with new tools and techniques in personal projects.
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