600+ Automation Test Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Some exceptions in Selenium are NoSuchElementException, TimeoutException, StaleElementReferenceException.

• NoSuchElementException occurs when an element is not found in the DOM.

• TimeoutException occurs when a command takes longer than the timeout value to complete.

• StaleElementReferenceException occurs when a referenced element is no longer attached to the DOM.

Selenium is a popular automation testing tool used for web applications. It has various methods and commands for testing.

• Selenium WebDriver is used for automating web applications

• findElement() method is used to locate an element on the web page

• sendKeys() method is used to enter text into a text field

• click() method is used to click on an element

• getTitle() method is used to get the title of the web page

• getText() method is used to get the text of an element

• getAttribute() method ...read more

Maven is a build automation tool used primarily for Java projects.

• Maven uses a Project Object Model (POM) to manage dependencies and build process

• It uses a central repository to download dependencies

• Maven has a defined directory structure for projects

• Plugins can be added to extend Maven's functionality

TestNG is a testing framework for Java while Cucumber is a BDD tool for behavior-driven development.

• TestNG is used for unit, functional, and integration testing

• Cucumber is used for acceptance testing and supports BDD

• TestNG uses annotations to define test methods and groups

• Cucumber uses Gherkin syntax to define scenarios and steps

• TestNG generates HTML reports while Cucumber generates reports in various formats

• TestNG supports parallel testing while Cucumber does not

• TestNG can b...read more

Code for switching between browser's tab

• Use driver.switchTo().window() method to switch between tabs

• Pass the window handle of the tab to be switched to as argument

• Get the window handles of all tabs using driver.getWindowHandles() method

• Example: String currentTab = driver.getWindowHandle(); driver.switchTo().window(currentTab);

• Example: Set allTabs = driver.getWindowHandles(); driver.switchTo().window(allTabs.toArray()[1]);

Selenium WebDriver is a tool used for automating web application testing. It provides a programming interface to interact with web elements.

• Selenium WebDriver is an open-source tool used for automating web application testing

• It provides a programming interface to interact with web elements

• It supports multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, C#, etc.

• It can automate testing on various browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.

• It can interact with different types...read more

Abstract class is a class that cannot be instantiated while abstract method is a method without implementation.

• Abstract class can have both abstract and non-abstract methods while abstract method can only exist in an abstract class or interface.

• Abstract class can have constructors while abstract method cannot.

• Abstract class can provide default implementation for its non-abstract methods while abstract method cannot.

• Example of abstract class: Animal class with abstract method ...read more

My framework is a hybrid framework that uses both data-driven and keyword-driven approaches. The project is a web-based application for e-commerce.

• The framework uses Selenium WebDriver for web automation

• It has a modular structure with reusable components

• Test data is stored in Excel sheets and accessed using Apache POI

• Test cases are written in Java and organized using TestNG

• Reporting is done using ExtentReports

• The project involves testing various functionalities of an e-commer...read more

We used a hybrid automation framework that combined data-driven and keyword-driven approaches.

• The framework was built using Selenium WebDriver and TestNG.

• We used Excel sheets to store test data and Apache POI library to read/write data from/to Excel.

• The framework had reusable functions and libraries for common actions like login, logout, etc.

• We also used Jenkins for continuous integration and execution of automated tests.

• The framework was designed to be scalable and maintaina...read more

Challenges in Selenium include browser compatibility, dynamic elements, and test maintenance.

• Browser compatibility issues can arise due to differences in browser versions and configurations.

• Dynamic elements can cause tests to fail if not handled properly.

• Test maintenance can be challenging due to changes in the application under test.

• Synchronization issues can occur when the test script runs faster than the application.

• Handling pop-ups and alerts can be tricky.

• Cross-domain te...read more

Selenium can handle signages by locating elements using XPath or CSS selectors and interacting with them.

• Locate the signages using unique identifiers like class, id, or text

• Use Selenium's findElement() method to locate the element

• Interact with the element using click(), sendKeys(), getText() methods

• Use explicit waits to ensure the element is visible and clickable

String memory allocation is dynamic and depends on the length of the string.

• String memory allocation is dynamic and can change based on the length of the string.

• In Java, a String object is stored in the heap memory.

• Each character in a String typically takes up 2 bytes of memory.

• String objects in Java are immutable, meaning once a String object is created, it cannot be changed.

Sample codes for automation using Selenium WebDriver, Maven, Git, Jenkins

• Selenium WebDriver: driver.findElement(By.id("elementID")).sendKeys("text")

• Maven: mvn clean install

• Git: git clone https://github.com/username/repository.git

• Jenkins: create a new job and configure it to run the automation tests

A sprint is a time-boxed period in Agile methodology during which a team completes a set amount of work.

• Sprints usually last 1-4 weeks

• At the beginning of each sprint, the team plans the work they will complete

• The team works on the planned work during the sprint

• At the end of the sprint, the team demonstrates the completed work to stakeholders

• The team then reflects on the sprint and plans for the next one

To create a left star pattern in Java, use nested loops to print stars in a left-aligned triangle shape. To run parallel test cases in automation testing, use TestNG's parallel attribute in the testng.xml file. TestNG annotations include @Test, @BeforeSuite, @AfterSuite, @BeforeTest, @AfterTest, @BeforeClass, @AfterClass, @BeforeMethod, @AfterMethod.

• For left star pattern in Java, use nested loops to print stars in a left-aligned triangle shape.

• To run parallel test cases in au...read more

To automate a scenario, write code using a testing framework like Selenium or Appium.

• Identify the scenario to be automated

• Choose a suitable testing framework

• Write code to simulate user actions and verify expected results

• Use assertions to validate test results

• Integrate with a CI/CD pipeline for continuous testing

• Example: Automating login process on a web application using Selenium WebDriver

Answers to questions related to Automation Test Engineer position

• 1. Use a loop to iterate through the array and print each element

• 2. Serialization is the process of converting an object into a stream of bytes, while deserialization is the opposite process of creating an object from a stream of bytes

• 3. Used ArrayList and HashMap in the framework

• 4. Listeners are used to listen to events and perform actions based on those events

Different methods to identify an object using eggplant

• Using text recognition

• Using image recognition

• Using coordinates

• Using attributes

• Using tags

I have worked on a hybrid automation framework that combines data-driven and keyword-driven approaches.

• The framework uses Excel sheets to store test data and keywords

• It uses Selenium WebDriver for web automation and Appium for mobile automation

• It has a modular structure with reusable functions and libraries

• It generates detailed HTML reports with screenshots and logs

• It supports parallel execution using TestNG

• Example: I used this framework to automate regression tests for a web...read more

Failed test screenshots can be taken using automation tools and saved in a designated folder.

• Use automation tools like Selenium or Appium to capture screenshots on test failure

• Save the screenshots in a designated folder for easy access and reference

• Include the screenshot file name in the test report for better traceability

Print a pyramid using an array of strings as output.

• Use nested loops to print each row of the pyramid.

• Calculate the number of spaces and asterisks needed for each row.

• Start with a single asterisk and increase by two for each row.

Static and final are keywords in Java. StringBuffer is synchronized while StringBuilder is not. The pattern can be displayed using loops.

• Static keyword is used to create class-level variables or methods. Final keyword is used to make a variable constant.

• StringBuffer is synchronized and thread-safe, while StringBuilder is not synchronized and faster.

• Pattern program can be implemented using nested loops to print the desired pattern.

Method overloading is when multiple methods have the same name but different parameters. Method overriding is when a subclass provides a different implementation of a method from its superclass.

• Method overloading is achieved by having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters.

• Method overriding is achieved by having a subclass provide a different implementation of a method from its superclass.

• Method overloading is determined at compile-time based on the numb...read more

To handle sub menu from hamburger button in Selenium, locate the hamburger button, click on it, and then locate and click on the desired sub menu option.

• Locate the hamburger button element using appropriate locator strategy

• Click on the hamburger button to open the menu

• Locate the sub menu option using appropriate locator strategy

• Click on the sub menu option to perform the desired action

To handle broken links in Selenium, we can use the HTTPURLConnection class to check the response code of the link.

• Get all the links on the page using findElements() method

• Iterate through each link and get the href attribute

• Create a URL object for the href attribute

• Open a connection using HTTPURLConnection class

• Get the response code using getResponseCode() method

• If the response code is not 200, mark the link as broken

Automate scenario to search for 'Mobile' on Amazon, retrieve name and price of results, store in custom class, and display on console.

• Use Selenium WebDriver to launch Amazon website

• Locate search box element and enter 'Mobile' text

• Retrieve name and price of search results using appropriate locators

• Store name and price in custom class with attributes 'name' and 'product'

• Display stored data on console

Continuous Testing is the practice of running automated tests throughout the software delivery pipeline to provide immediate feedback on the quality of the code.

• Continuous Testing helps in identifying issues early in the development cycle, leading to faster feedback and quicker resolution of defects.

• It ensures that the code changes made by developers do not break existing functionality by running automated tests continuously.

• Continuous Testing plays a crucial role in the CI/C...read more

Method overloading is having multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. Method overriding is having a method in child class with the same name and signature as in parent class.

• Method overloading is compile-time polymorphism while method overriding is runtime polymorphism.

• Method overloading is achieved within the same class while method overriding is achieved in different classes, usually in a parent-child relationship.

• Method overloading is used to provide d...read more

By using data management tools, version control, data masking techniques, and automated scripts.

• Utilize data management tools to create and maintain consistent test data sets across environments.

• Implement version control to track changes made to test data and ensure consistency.

• Apply data masking techniques to protect sensitive information while maintaining consistency.

• Use automated scripts to generate and populate test data in different environments.

• Regularly synchronize tes...read more

Test data privacy and security is ensured by using anonymized data, encryption, access controls, and secure storage.

• Anonymize sensitive data by replacing real values with fake ones

• Encrypt test data during transmission and storage

• Implement access controls to restrict who can view or modify test data

• Store test data securely using encryption and regular backups

Emerging trends in automation testing include AI and machine learning, shift-left testing, and continuous testing.

• AI and machine learning are being used to improve test automation by predicting test cases, identifying patterns, and optimizing test execution.

• Shift-left testing involves testing early in the development cycle to catch defects sooner and reduce costs.

• Continuous testing integrates automated tests throughout the software delivery pipeline to provide immediate feedb...read more

Test hooks are methods or functions that allow testers to access internal code for testing purposes.

• Test hooks are used to inject test code into the application being tested.

• They can be used to monitor and manipulate the behavior of the application during testing.

• Test hooks can be implemented using tools like Selenium or TestNG.

• They impact automation test execution by providing access to internal components for testing.

BDD is a software development approach that encourages collaboration between developers, QA, and non-technical stakeholders to define and test system behavior.

• BDD focuses on defining the behavior of a system through examples in plain text

• It uses a common language (like Gherkin syntax) to describe features and scenarios

• Automation testing in BDD involves writing automated tests that validate the behavior described in the scenarios

• Tools like Cucumber and SpecFlow are commonly us...read more

Our automation framework is built using Selenium WebDriver and TestNG.

• We use Page Object Model design pattern for better maintainability.

• We have created custom libraries for common functions like login, logout, etc.

• We use Jenkins for continuous integration and execution of automated tests.

• We have implemented data-driven testing using Excel sheets.

• We use Git for version control and collaboration among team members.

Answering questions related to Automation Test Engineer interview

• Locators order of usage refers to the priority of locators used to identify web elements in automation testing

• TestNG annotation orders refer to the sequence in which TestNG annotations are executed in a test case

• Feature file is a file that contains high-level description of the scenarios and steps in Gherkin language

• Step Definitions are the implementation of the steps mentioned in the feature file

Explanation of final key, static, finally, finalized, garbage collection.

• Final key - used to declare a constant value that cannot be changed

• Static - used to declare a variable or method that belongs to the class rather than an instance of the class

• Finally - used to define a block of code that will be executed regardless of whether an exception is thrown or not

• Finalized - a method that is called by the garbage collector before an object is destroyed

• Garbage collection - automat...read more

I work on manual to automation conversion ratio by analyzing the repetitive and time-consuming manual tasks and automating them.

• Identify the manual tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming

• Analyze the feasibility of automating those tasks

• Prioritize the tasks based on their impact on the testing process

• Create a plan for automation and execute it

• Regularly review and update the automation plan

• Collaborate with the team to ensure the automation is effective

Alerts can be handled using Alert interface in Selenium

• Use driver.switchTo().alert() method to switch to alert

• Use getText() method to get the text of the alert

• Use accept() method to click on OK button of the alert

• Use dismiss() method to click on Cancel button of the alert

Git commands used and handling merge conflicts

• Git commands used: git clone, git pull, git push, git add, git commit, git merge, git rebase

• To handle merge conflict: git status to see conflicted files, git diff to see the differences, manually resolve conflicts in the files, git add the resolved files, git commit the changes

I have used OOPs concepts in my projects to create reusable code, improve code organization, and enhance code readability.

• Used inheritance to create a base class with common functionalities and derived classes with specific functionalities

• Implemented encapsulation to hide internal details of a class and expose only necessary information through methods

• Utilized polymorphism to allow objects of different classes to be treated as objects of a common superclass

• Applied abstraction...read more

Explaining the difference between findElement and findElements and defining interface.

• findElement returns the first matching element on the page while findElements returns a list of all matching elements.

• Both methods are used to locate web elements on a page using locators such as ID, class name, name, etc.

• An interface is a collection of abstract methods that can be implemented by a class. It defines a contract that the implementing class must follow.

• In Java, interfaces are u...read more

Code to check current webpage URL, types of functional testing, authentication and authorization, HTTP methods, status codes, selecting dropdown value, and SQL queries.

• To check current webpage URL, use driver.getCurrentUrl() in Selenium WebDriver.

• Types of functional testing include smoke testing, regression testing, integration testing, etc.

• Authentication ensures the user is who they claim to be, while authorization determines what actions they can perform.

• HTTP methods includ...read more

Abstract class is a class with partial implementation while interface is a contract with no implementation.

• Abstract class can have both abstract and non-abstract methods while interface can only have abstract methods.

• A class can implement multiple interfaces but can only inherit from one abstract class.

• Abstract class can have constructors while interface cannot.

• Abstract class can have access modifiers while interface methods are public by default.

My framework is a hybrid framework that combines data-driven and keyword-driven approaches.

• The framework uses Excel sheets to store test data and keywords.

• It uses Selenium WebDriver for browser automation.

• It has a modular structure with reusable functions and libraries.

• It generates detailed HTML reports for test results.

• It supports parallel execution of tests.

• It has built-in exception handling and logging mechanisms.

To reverse a string in Java, use the StringBuilder class and its reverse() method.

• Create a StringBuilder object with the given string as its argument

• Call the reverse() method on the StringBuilder object

• Convert the StringBuilder object back to a string using the toString() method

• Alternatively, you can use a loop to iterate through the characters of the string and append them to a new string in reverse order

TestNG annotations are executed in a specific sequence during test execution.

• BeforeSuite

• BeforeTest

• BeforeClass

• BeforeMethod

• Test

• AfterMethod

• AfterClass

• AfterTest

• AfterSuite

XPath is a language used to locate elements on a web page. Locators are used to identify elements on a web page.

• XPath is used to navigate through the HTML structure of a web page

• XPath expressions can be used to locate elements based on their attributes, text content, or position on the page

• Locators are used to identify elements on a web page, such as ID, class name, name, tag name, link text, and partial link text