60+ Senior Software Tester Interview Questions and Answers

Scrum Master in Agile is equivalent to Project Manager in Waterfall.

• Scrum Master is responsible for facilitating the Agile process and ensuring the team follows it.

• Project Manager is responsible for managing the project from start to finish in Waterfall.

• Both roles involve managing the team and ensuring the project is completed on time and within budget.

• However, the approach and methodology used are different in Agile and Waterfall.

I rate myself highly in both manual and automation testing

• I have extensive experience in manual testing and have developed a keen eye for identifying defects

• I am proficient in automation testing tools such as Selenium and have created automated test scripts for various projects

• I understand the importance of both manual and automation testing and know when to use each approach

• I continuously strive to improve my skills in both areas through training and self-learning

Value cannot be passed in a disabled text box.

• Check if there is any other way to pass the value, such as through a different input field.

• If not, enable the text box temporarily, pass the value, and then disable it again.

• Alternatively, check if there is any JavaScript code that can be used to pass the value.

Types of keys include primary keys, foreign keys, unique keys, and composite keys.

• Primary key: uniquely identifies each record in a table, must be unique and not null.

• Foreign key: links two tables together, enforces referential integrity.

• Unique key: ensures that all values in a column are unique.

• Composite key: combination of two or more columns to uniquely identify a record.

Functional testing focuses on the specific functionality of the software, while non-functional testing focuses on performance, usability, and security.

• Functional testing ensures that the software functions as expected based on the requirements.

• Non-functional testing evaluates aspects like performance, usability, reliability, and security.

• Examples of functional testing include unit testing, integration testing, and system testing.

• Examples of non-functional testing include load...read more

TCD is based on the criteria of time, cost, and deliverables.

• TCD stands for Time, Cost, and Deliverables.

• It is a project management approach that focuses on these three criteria.

• The goal is to complete the project within the given time and budget while delivering the desired results.

• For example, if a software development project is using TCD, the team will prioritize tasks based on their impact on time, cost, and deliverables.

• This approach helps to ensure that the project sta...read more

XPath syntax is used to navigate through XML documents and select elements and attributes.

• XPath expressions are written in a path-like syntax, using forward slashes to separate elements and attributes

• Predicates can be used to filter elements based on their attributes or position in the document

• Functions can be used to manipulate values or perform calculations on elements

• Examples: //bookstore/book/title selects all title elements under the bookstore element

• //bookstore/book[pri...read more

Testing in Agile involves continuous testing throughout the development cycle.

• Collaborate with the development team to ensure testing is integrated into each sprint

• Use automation testing tools to speed up the process

• Prioritize testing based on user stories and acceptance criteria

• Perform exploratory testing to uncover defects that may have been missed

• Ensure that testing is done in parallel with development to catch defects early

Exceptions while running scripts

• Syntax errors

• Runtime errors

• Logical errors

• Timeout errors

• Memory errors

Implicit and Explicit waits are used in Selenium to wait for elements to load before performing actions.

• Implicit wait waits for a specified amount of time before throwing an exception if the element is not found.

• Explicit wait waits for a specific condition to be met before proceeding with the next step.

• Syntax for implicit wait: driver.manage().timeouts().implicitlyWait(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS);

• Syntax for explicit wait: WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10); wait.unt...read more

The specific areas of knowledge being tested on include software testing methodologies, test case design, automation tools, defect tracking, and communication skills.

• Software testing methodologies (e.g. Agile, Waterfall)

• Test case design and execution

• Automation tools (e.g. Selenium, JUnit)

• Defect tracking and management

• Communication skills with team members and stakeholders

ASM message stands for Application System Message.

• ASM messages are used to communicate between different software applications.

• They are used to exchange data and commands.

• ASM messages can be sent synchronously or asynchronously.

• They are commonly used in distributed systems.

• Examples of ASM messages include HTTP requests and responses, SOAP messages, and JMS messages.

Backlog is a list of tasks or requirements that need to be completed in a project.

• Backlog is a prioritized list of work items

• It includes user stories, bugs, and technical tasks

• It is constantly updated throughout the project

• It helps the team to plan and track progress

• Examples: JIRA, Trello, Asana

Issues faced in software testing and their solutions

• Issues with test environment setup - ensure proper configuration and compatibility

• Issues with test data - ensure relevant and accurate data is used

• Issues with test case design - ensure comprehensive and effective test cases

• Issues with communication - ensure clear communication with team members and stakeholders

• Issues with automation - ensure proper selection and implementation of automation tools

• Issues with regression testin...read more

Abstract class in Java is a class that cannot be instantiated and may contain abstract methods. Difference from interface is that abstract class can have non-abstract methods.

• Abstract class in Java is declared using the 'abstract' keyword.

• Abstract class can have abstract methods (methods without body) and concrete methods (methods with body).

• Abstract class can have instance variables, constructors, and static methods.

• Interfaces in Java are similar to abstract classes but can ...read more

Test case design techniques are methods used to create test cases for software testing.

• Boundary Value Analysis

• Equivalence Partitioning

• Decision Table Testing

• State Transition Testing

• Use Case Testing

Screenshots can be taken in Selenium using the TakesScreenshot interface.

• Create an object of the TakesScreenshot interface

• Call the getScreenshotAs() method on the driver object

• Save the screenshot to a desired location using the File class

Test data can be passed in testNG using DataProvider annotation.

• Create a method that returns a two-dimensional array of test data

• Annotate the test method with @DataProvider and specify the name of the data provider method

• Pass the test data as parameters to the test method

XPath and CSS selectors are both used to locate elements on a web page, but they have different syntax and capabilities.

• XPath uses a path expression to navigate through the HTML structure, while CSS selectors use a pattern matching approach.

• XPath can select elements based on their attributes, text content, and position in the document, while CSS selectors are limited to attributes and tag names.

• XPath has a wider range of operators and functions for complex queries, while CSS ...read more

Agile methodology allows for flexibility, collaboration, and faster delivery of high-quality software.

• Encourages customer involvement and feedback throughout the development process

• Allows for changes and adjustments to be made quickly and efficiently

• Promotes teamwork and communication among team members

• Delivers working software in shorter timeframes

• Reduces the risk of project failure

• Increases customer satisfaction

• Examples: Scrum, Kanban, Extreme Programming (XP)

To select values in Dropdowns, click on the dropdown menu and choose the desired option from the list.

• Click on the dropdown menu to open the list of options

• Scroll or use arrow keys to navigate through the options

• Click on the desired option to select it

• Some dropdowns may have a search bar to filter options

Agile is iterative and flexible, while waterfall is sequential and rigid.

• Agile involves continuous feedback and adaptation, while waterfall follows a linear approach.

• Agile allows for changes throughout the development process, while waterfall requires detailed planning upfront.

• Agile is better suited for projects with evolving requirements, while waterfall is ideal for projects with fixed requirements.

• Agile promotes collaboration and communication among team members, while wat...read more

Selenium is a popular open-source tool used for automating web browsers.

• Selenium is used for automating web browsers to test web applications.

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

• Selenium WebDriver is the most commonly used component for writing automation scripts.

• Selenium Grid allows running tests on different machines in parallel.

• Selenium IDE is a record and playback tool for creating simple automation scripts.

I have used various samplers including JMeter, LoadRunner, and Gatling.

• JMeter for load testing web applications

• LoadRunner for performance testing client-server applications

• Gatling for stress testing REST APIs

Boundary value analysis is a software testing technique that focuses on testing the boundaries of input ranges.

• It involves testing the minimum and maximum values of input variables, as well as just above and just below these boundaries.

• Helps in identifying errors that occur at the boundaries of input ranges.

• Example: If a system accepts values from 1 to 100, boundary value analysis would test inputs like 0, 1, 100, and 101.

• Regression testing is re-running tests on previously t...read more

IFrames/Window handles can be handled using switchTo() method in Selenium

• Use driver.switchTo().frame() method to switch to an IFrame

• Use driver.switchTo().defaultContent() method to switch back to the main page

• Use driver.getWindowHandles() method to get all window handles

• Use driver.switchTo().window() method to switch to a new window

Selenium WebDriver methods are used to interact with web elements and perform actions on them.

• findElement(By locator) - locates a single web element on the page

• sendKeys(String text) - types text into an input field

• click() - clicks on a web element

• getText() - retrieves the text of a web element

Types of joins in SQL include inner join, outer join, left join, right join, and full join.

• Inner join: returns rows when there is a match in both tables

• Outer join: returns all rows from one table and matching rows from the other table

• Left join: returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table

• Right join: returns all rows from the right table and the matched rows from the left table

• Full join: returns rows when there is a match in one of the tables

TestNG is a testing framework for Java that supports annotations for defining test methods and test configurations.

• TestNG is used for writing and running automated tests in Java.

• Annotations like @Test, @BeforeTest, @AfterTest are used to define test methods and configurations.

• Annotations provide flexibility in defining test execution order, grouping tests, setting dependencies, etc.

• TestNG allows parameterization of tests using @Parameters annotation.

• TestNG supports parallel t...read more

Action class in Selenium is used to perform complex user interactions like drag and drop, double click, etc.

• Action class is part of the Selenium WebDriver API

• It is used to perform advanced user interactions like drag and drop, double click, etc.

• Actions class is used to build and perform complex user interactions

• Example: Actions actions = new Actions(driver); actions.dragAndDrop(source, target).build().perform();

Abstract classes are classes that cannot be instantiated and can have both abstract and non-abstract methods. Interfaces are contracts that define a set of methods that a class must implement.

• Abstract classes can have constructors while interfaces cannot

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

• Abstract classes can have instance variables while interfaces cannot

• Interfaces can have default methods while abstract classes cannot

• Abstrac...read more

My automation framework is based on the Page Object Model design pattern, utilizing TestNG for test execution and reporting.

• Utilizes Page Object Model design pattern for better code organization and maintenance

• Uses TestNG for test execution and reporting

• Employs data-driven testing for better test coverage

• Integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins for continuous testing

• Utilizes Selenium WebDriver for browser automation

Page Object Model is a design pattern used in test automation to create an object repository for web UI elements.

• It separates the test code from the page-specific code.

• It improves code maintainability and reduces code duplication.

• It allows for easy modification of UI elements without affecting the test code.

• It enhances test script readability and reduces the effort required to create new test scripts.

• It is widely used in Selenium-based test automation frameworks.

Testing the functionality of an ATM machine by simulating various scenarios

• Test withdrawing money within account balance

• Test withdrawing money exceeding account balance

• Test depositing money into account

• Test checking account balance

• Test entering invalid PIN

• Test inserting damaged card

findelement returns the first matching element while findelements returns a list of all matching elements.

• findelement is used to find the first matching element on a web page

• findelements is used to find all matching elements on a web page

• findelement throws NoSuchElementException if no matching element is found

• findelements returns an empty list if no matching element is found

Automation process involves creating and executing automated test scripts to improve efficiency and accuracy.

• Identifying test cases suitable for automation

• Selecting appropriate automation tools

• Developing automated test scripts

• Executing automated tests

• Analyzing test results and reporting issues

Exceptions in Selenium can be handled using try-catch blocks or by using Selenium's built-in exception handling mechanisms.

• Use try-catch blocks to catch exceptions and handle them gracefully

• Use Selenium's WebDriverWait class to handle timeouts and wait for elements to be present

• Use Selenium's ExpectedConditions class to wait for specific conditions before proceeding with the test

• Use the Selenium WebDriver's built-in exception handling mechanisms like NoSuchElementException, T...read more

Object-oriented programming concepts in Java

• Encapsulation: bundling data and methods that operate on the data into a single unit

• Inheritance: allows a class to inherit properties and behavior from another class

• Polymorphism: ability of an object to take on many forms

• Abstraction: hiding the implementation details and showing only the functionality

• Example: Class Animal with subclasses Dog and Cat inheriting from it

Types of testing include functional testing, non-functional testing, manual testing, automated testing, and more.

• Functional testing: Testing the functionality of the software against the requirements.

• Non-functional testing: Testing aspects like performance, usability, security, etc.

• Manual testing: Testing performed manually by testers.

• Automated testing: Testing using automated tools and scripts.

• Regression testing: Testing to ensure that new code changes do not adversely affec...read more

Types of Join include Inner Join, Left Join, Right Join, and Full Join.

• Inner Join: Returns rows when there is a match in both tables.

• Left Join: Returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table.

• Right Join: Returns all rows from the right table and the matched rows from the left table.

• Full Join: Returns rows when there is a match in one of the tables.

Project architecture refers to the high-level structure of a software system, including components, relationships, and interactions.

• Project architecture defines how different components of a software system are organized and interact with each other.

• It includes the design decisions related to the system's structure, such as layers, modules, and communication protocols.

• Common architectural patterns include MVC (Model-View-Controller), microservices, and event-driven architectu...read more

HashMap is non-synchronized and allows null values, while Hashtable is synchronized and does not allow null values.

• HashMap is non-synchronized and not thread-safe, while Hashtable is synchronized and thread-safe.

• HashMap allows null values for both key and value, while Hashtable does not allow null keys or values.

• HashMap is faster than Hashtable as it is non-synchronized.

• HashMap is part of the Java Collections Framework, while Hashtable is a legacy class.

Assert checks if a condition is true and stops the test if it's false. Verify checks if a condition is true and continues the test if it's false.

• Assert is used to validate the expected result of a test case.

• Verify is used to validate the actual result of a test case.

• Assert stops the test execution if the condition is false.

• Verify continues the test execution if the condition is false.

• Assert is used for critical test cases.

• Verify is used for non-critical test cases.

Testing techniques are methods used to verify the functionality and quality of software.

• Black box testing

• White box testing

• Gray box testing

• Unit testing

• Integration testing

• System testing

• Acceptance testing

• Regression testing

• Performance testing

• Security testing

Page Object Model is a design pattern used in test automation to create an object repository for web UI elements.

• It helps in reducing code duplication and improves code maintainability.

• Each web page is represented as a separate class and the web elements on the page are defined as variables in the class.

• The page class contains methods to interact with the web elements on the page.

• It separates the test code from the page-specific code, making the tests more readable and easier...read more

V-model is a software development model that emphasizes testing at every stage of the development process.

• It is a sequential development process

• Each stage has a corresponding testing stage

• Testing is done at every stage to ensure quality

• It is a highly structured and disciplined approach

• It is often used in safety-critical industries such as aerospace and defense

Gap analysis involves comparing current state to desired state to identify discrepancies and plan improvements.

• Identify current state and desired state

• Analyze the differences between the two states

• Develop a plan to bridge the gaps

• Implement the plan and monitor progress

• Examples: comparing current software functionality to desired features, comparing test coverage to industry standards