40+ Senior Test Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Test prioritization is the process of determining the order in which tests should be executed based on their importance and risk.

• Tests are prioritized based on their impact on the system and the likelihood of failure.

• Prioritization helps to ensure that critical defects are identified and fixed early in the testing process.

• Factors such as business requirements, user expectations, and regulatory compliance are considered when prioritizing tests.

• Test cases with high priority are...read more

Method overloading is creating multiple methods with the same name but different parameters. Method overriding is creating a new implementation of an existing method in a subclass.

• Method overloading is used to provide different ways to call the same method with different parameters.

• Method overriding is used to provide a new implementation of an existing method in a subclass.

• Explicit wait is a type of wait in Selenium WebDriver where the code waits for a specific condition to ...read more

Explanation of String Builder and String Buffer and how to reverse a string without them.

• String Builder and String Buffer are classes in Java used for manipulating strings efficiently.

• String Builder is not thread-safe while String Buffer is thread-safe.

• To reverse a string without String Builder or String Buffer, we can use a loop to iterate through the string and append each character to a new string in reverse order.

• Example: String str = "hello"; String reversedStr = ""; for...read more

STLC stands for Software Testing Life Cycle. It is a process followed to test software applications.

• STLC is a systematic approach to testing software applications.

• It consists of various phases such as requirement analysis, test planning, test design, test execution, and test closure.

• Each phase has specific activities and deliverables.

• The goal of STLC is to ensure high-quality software by identifying defects and verifying that the software meets the specified requirements.

• SDLC...read more

Comparator is an interface used to sort objects, while Comparable is an interface used to define natural ordering of objects.

• Comparator is used to define custom sorting logic for objects, while Comparable is used to define natural ordering based on a class's implementation of compareTo() method.

• Comparator can be used to sort objects of different classes, while Comparable is used to sort objects of the same class.

• Example: Sorting a list of Employee objects based on their salar...read more

The output of each join between Table 1 and Table 2 with values 1,1,1 and 1,1,0 respectively.

• Inner join: Output will be 1,1,1 as it only includes matching values from both tables.

• Left join: Output will be 1,1,1 from Table 1 as it includes all values from Table 1 and matching values from Table 2.

• Right join: Output will be 1,1,0 from Table 2 as it includes all values from Table 2 and matching values from Table 1.

• Full outer join: Output will be 1,1,1 and 1,1,0 as it includes all...read more

Defect management is the process of identifying, tracking, and resolving software defects. Priority and severity determine the urgency and impact of a defect.

• Defect management involves capturing, documenting, and tracking defects throughout the software development lifecycle.

• Defects are typically categorized based on their priority and severity.

• Priority indicates the order in which defects should be addressed, considering business impact and urgency.

• Severity represents the im...read more

Various techniques are used while designing testing to ensure comprehensive coverage of the system under test.

• Boundary Value Analysis

• Equivalence Partitioning

• Decision Table Testing

• State Transition Testing

• Exploratory Testing

• Regression Testing

• Ad-hoc Testing

• Pairwise Testing

• Risk-Based Testing

The default size of ArrayList in Java is 10.

• ArrayList is a dynamic array that can grow or shrink as needed.

• The initial capacity of an ArrayList is 10 by default.

• If the number of elements exceeds the initial capacity, the ArrayList automatically increases its size.

Test cycle schedule is planned by considering project timelines, test objectives, resources, and risks.

• Identify project timelines and milestones

• Define test objectives and scope

• Allocate resources and identify dependencies

• Identify and prioritize risks

• Create a detailed test plan and schedule

• Review and adjust the schedule as needed

Regression testing is the process of retesting a software application to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected existing functionality.

• Regression testing is performed to make sure that new code changes do not introduce new bugs or issues.

• It involves re-executing test cases that have been previously executed to verify that existing functionality still works as expected.

• Test cases for regression testing should cover both the affected areas of the application a...read more

I have worked with various automation frameworks including Selenium, Appium, and TestNG.

• I have experience working with Selenium WebDriver for web application automation

• I have also worked with Appium for mobile automation testing

• TestNG has been my preferred framework for test management and reporting

• I have also used Cucumber for behavior-driven development (BDD) testing

• In addition, I have experience with Robot Framework for acceptance testing

• I am familiar with both data-driven...read more

UAI testing is User Acceptance Interface testing which ensures that the system meets user requirements. System testing is testing the entire system as a whole.

• UAI testing is done to ensure that the system meets user requirements

• It focuses on the user interface and user experience

• System testing is done to test the entire system as a whole

• It includes testing of all components and their interactions

• It ensures that the system is functioning as expected

Abstraction is implemented in the framework through interfaces and base classes.

• Abstraction is achieved through interfaces which define the contract for classes to implement.

• Base classes provide common functionality that can be inherited by concrete classes.

• Abstraction helps in decoupling the implementation details from the actual test cases.

• Example: Interface 'ITestCase' defines methods like 'executeTest' which are implemented by classes like 'LoginTestCase'.

To find duplicates without using count(*), use self-join and group by clause.

• Use self-join to join the table with itself on the column that contains the duplicates.

• Use group by clause to group the results by the column that contains duplicates.

• Select the columns you want to display along with the count of duplicates.

Defect severity and priority are different in terms of impact and urgency.

• Defect severity refers to the impact of the defect on the system or application.

• Defect priority refers to the urgency of fixing the defect.

• Severity is usually categorized as low, medium, high, or critical.

• Priority is usually categorized as low, medium, high, or immediate.

• Example: A spelling mistake in a button label is a low severity defect but may have a high priority if it affects the usability of the...read more

Smoke testing is a quick test to check if the critical functionalities of the application are working. Sanity testing is a subset of regression testing to check if the bugs have been fixed and no new issues have been introduced.

• Smoke testing is done to ensure that the application is stable enough for further testing.

• Sanity testing is done to ensure that the changes made to the application have not introduced any new issues.

• Smoke testing is a subset of acceptance testing.

• Sanit...read more

Defect Life Cycle is a process followed by testers to identify, report, and resolve defects in software.

• Defect is identified and reported by tester

• Defect is reviewed by development team

• Defect is assigned to a developer for fixing

• Defect is fixed by developer

• Defect is retested by tester

• Defect is closed if it passes retest, else reopened

• Categories include New, Open, In Progress, Fixed, Reopened, Closed

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is the final phase of testing where end-users test the software to ensure it meets their requirements.

• UAT is performed by end-users or business representatives

• It is done in a real-world environment

• The focus is on validating the software's functionality and usability

• UAT is conducted after all other testing phases are completed

• Defects found during UAT are reported and fixed before the software is released

Java program to reverse a string using StringBuilder class.

• Create a StringBuilder object with the given string as parameter.

• Use the reverse() method of StringBuilder class to reverse the string.

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

Singleton classes are classes that can only have one instance created throughout the program.

• Singleton classes have a private constructor to prevent multiple instances.

• They typically provide a static method to access the single instance.

• Commonly used for logging, database connections, and configuration settings.

• Example: Logger class in a software application.

An automation framework consists of a set of guidelines, coding standards, and best practices to automate testing.

• The framework should be modular and scalable

• It should have a clear separation of concerns

• It should have reusable components such as libraries, functions, and utilities

• It should have a reporting mechanism to track test results

• It should support multiple test types such as functional, regression, and performance testing

• Examples of popular automation frameworks includ...read more

Regression testing is the process of retesting a software application to ensure that new code changes have not adversely affected existing features.

• Regression testing is performed to make sure that new code changes do not introduce new bugs or issues in previously working functionality.

• It involves running previously executed test cases to verify that the existing features still work as expected.

• Regression testing is typically automated to save time and effort in retesting.

• It ...read more

Agile is a project management approach that emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and iterative development.

• Agile is a project management methodology that focuses on delivering value to customers through iterative development and continuous feedback.

• It promotes collaboration and communication among team members, stakeholders, and customers.

• Agile encourages flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and priorities.

• It emphasizes delivering working software in short ...read more

REST API stands for Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface, which is a set of rules and conventions for building and interacting with web services.

• REST API is a type of web service that allows communication between different systems over the internet.

• It uses standard HTTP methods like GET, POST, PUT, DELETE to perform operations on resources.

• REST APIs typically return data in JSON or XML format.

• They are stateless, meaning each request from a client ...read more

Parallel execution allows running multiple test cases simultaneously to save time and increase efficiency.

• Use test automation frameworks that support parallel execution, such as TestNG or JUnit.

• Divide test cases into independent groups that can be executed concurrently.

• Ensure proper synchronization and resource management to avoid conflicts.

• Monitor and analyze the results to identify any issues or bottlenecks.

• Example: Running UI tests in parallel on different browsers or devi...read more

Risk based testing is a method of prioritizing testing efforts based on the likelihood and impact of potential failures.

• Identify potential risks and their impact on the system

• Prioritize testing efforts based on the identified risks

• Allocate testing resources accordingly

• Continuously monitor and reassess risks throughout the testing process

• Examples: testing critical functionalities first, testing for security vulnerabilities

As a Test Analyst, my previous responsibilities included creating test plans, executing test cases, identifying defects, and collaborating with developers.

• Creating test plans based on project requirements

• Executing test cases to ensure software functionality

• Identifying and documenting defects found during testing

• Collaborating with developers to resolve issues

• Participating in test automation efforts

Exploratory testing is a type of testing where the tester designs and executes tests simultaneously.

• It is an unscripted testing approach

• It is used to discover defects that are not found by traditional testing methods

• It is highly dependent on the tester's skills and experience

• It involves learning the application on the fly and designing tests accordingly

• It is useful in Agile development environments where requirements are constantly changing

OOps concept is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects, which can contain data and code.

• OOps stands for Object-Oriented Programming

• It focuses on creating objects that interact with each other to perform tasks

• Encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism are the key features of OOps

• Examples of OOps languages include Java, C++, and Python

BDD (Behavior Driven Development) is a software development methodology that focuses on collaboration between developers, testers, and business stakeholders.

• BDD uses natural language to describe the behavior of a system

• It emphasizes on defining the behavior of a system through examples

• BDD frameworks like Cucumber, SpecFlow, and Behave help in automating the testing process

• BDD helps in improving communication and collaboration between teams

Functional testing checks if the software meets requirements. Regression testing ensures changes don't break existing functionality.

• Functional testing verifies if the software meets functional requirements

• Regression testing ensures that changes to the software do not break existing functionality

• Functional testing is done before regression testing

• Regression testing is done after changes are made to the software

• Functional testing is done manually or with automation tools

• Regress...read more

Software Test Life Cycle is a process of testing software from planning to deployment.

• STLC includes planning, designing, executing, and reporting.

• It ensures that the software meets the requirements and is of high quality.

• STLC involves functional, non-functional, and regression testing.

• It also includes test environment setup and test data creation.

• STLC ends with the release of the software.

• STLC can be iterative or sequential.

Software Testing LifeCycle is a process of planning, designing, executing, and reporting on tests throughout the software development lifecycle.

• STLC involves phases like Requirement Analysis, Test Planning, Test Design, Test Execution, and Test Closure.

• Each phase has specific goals and deliverables to ensure the quality of the software.

• Example: In Requirement Analysis, testers review the requirements to understand the scope of testing.

• Example: In Test Execution, actual testin...read more

Defect life cycle is the process of identifying, reporting, fixing, and verifying defects in software development.

• Defect is identified by testers during testing

• Defect is reported to development team

• Development team fixes the defect

• Fixed defect is verified by testers

• If defect is not fixed, it goes back to development team

• If defect is fixed, it is closed

Our company follows Agile methodology for software development.

• Daily stand-up meetings to discuss progress and roadblocks

• Sprints of 2-4 weeks for iterative development

• Frequent collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders

• Continuous integration and delivery practices

Sanity testing is a narrow and focused testing to check if the critical functionalities work correctly after changes. Smoke testing is a broader testing to check if the software build is stable enough for further testing.

• Sanity testing is a subset of regression testing, focusing on specific areas of the application that were changed.

• Smoke testing is a preliminary testing to ensure the basic functionalities of the software are working.

• Sanity testing is usually performed after ...read more

Test strategy is high-level plan to achieve testing objectives, while test planning is detailed plan for executing testing activities.

• Test strategy defines overall approach to testing, including scope, objectives, resources, and timelines.

• Test planning involves creating detailed test plans, test cases, test data, and schedules.

• Test strategy is created at the beginning of the project, while test planning is done throughout the project lifecycle.

• Test strategy focuses on long-te...read more

SDLC is the process of developing software from planning to deployment, while STLC is the process of testing software within the SDLC.

• SDLC stands for Software Development Life Cycle and includes phases like planning, analysis, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

• STLC stands for Software Testing Life Cycle and includes phases like test planning, test design, test execution, and test closure.

• SDLC focuses on the overall development of software, while STL...read more

Code to launch browser

• Use Selenium WebDriver to launch browser

• Specify the browser type (e.g. Chrome, Firefox)

• Handle any exceptions that may occur during browser launch

Code to take screenshot in Java using Selenium WebDriver

• Import necessary libraries like org.openqa.selenium.OutputType and org.openqa.selenium.TakesScreenshot

• Create an instance of WebDriver and cast it to TakesScreenshot

• Use getScreenshotAs method to take the screenshot and save it to a file

The second largest number in an array of strings

• Convert the array of strings to an array of integers

• Sort the array in descending order

• Return the second element in the sorted array

Oops concepts in Java refer to Object-Oriented Programming principles like Inheritance, Encapsulation, Polymorphism, and Abstraction.

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

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

• Polymorphism: Ability of a method to do different things based on the object it is acting upon.

• Abstraction: Hiding the implementation details and showing only the necessary feature...read more

A trigger on contact is a mechanism in Salesforce that automatically initiates an action when a contact record is created or updated.

• Triggers are written in Apex, Salesforce's programming language.

• Triggers can be used to perform tasks like sending email notifications, updating related records, or enforcing business rules.

• Example: A trigger on contact can be used to update a custom field on the related account record whenever a contact is created or updated.