Starting a career in software testing can be both exciting and challenging, especially for freshers who are eager to break into the field. In order to answer manual testing questions one needs to understand the basics of manual testing is essential for anyone looking to make their mark in this domain. Manual testing involves human judgment and intuition to find defects in a software application, making it a crucial step in ensuring software quality. This blog will delve into some of the fundamental interview questions for manual testers that freshers are likely to encounter. From understanding what software testing is to knowing the different types of testing, these foundational questions will equip you with the knowledge to confidently step into the world of software testing.
What is software testing?
Software testing is the process of evaluating and verifying that a software application or system meets specified requirements. It involves the execution of software/system components using automated or manual testing tools to evaluate one or more properties of interest. The primary purpose of manual and automated testing is to identify bugs, errors, or missing requirements in comparison to the actual requirements.
What are the different phases of software testing?
The different phases of software testing are:
- Requirement Analysis: Understanding the testing requirements and identifying the testable requirements.
- Test Planning: Creating the test plan document that describes the strategy, objectives, schedule, estimation, and deliverables of testing.
- Test Case Development: Designing and developing test cases and test scripts based on requirements.
- Test Environment Setup: Setting up the hardware and software environment for testing.
- Test Execution: Executing the test cases and reporting defects.
- Test Cycle Closure: Concluding testing activities, analyzing results, and documenting the learning.
What are the types of software testing?
The main types of software testing include:
- Manual Testing: Manual software testing tools manually without the use of automation tools.
- Automated Testing: Using tools and scripts to automate the execution of test cases.
- Functional Testing: Functional testing is validating the functionality of software against the defined requirements.
- Non-Functional Testing: Testing the non-functional aspects such as performance, usability, reliability, etc.
- Unit Testing: Testing individual components or modules of software.
- Integration Testing: Testing the interaction between integrated units or modules.
- System Testing: Testing the complete and integrated software application.
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Testing by end users to validate the functionality and usability of the software.
What is the difference between verification and validation?
- Verification: It is the process of evaluating the work-products of a development phase to ensure that they meet the specified requirements. It answers the question, “Are we building the product right?”
- Validation: It is the process of evaluating the final product to check whether the software meets the business needs. It answers the question, “Are we building the right product?”The above topics are frequently asked in manual software testing interview questions.
What is a test case?
A test case is a set of conditions or variables under which a tester will determine whether a system under test satisfies requirements or works correctly. It typically includes a test case ID, description, preconditions, test steps, expected results, and actual results.
What is a test scenario?
A test scenario is a high-level documentation of a use case or feature that needs to be tested. It represents a specific functionality or behavior of the application. The test scenario helps to stimulate real-life situations users might face.
What is a defect/bug?
A defect or bug is an error, flaw, or fault in a software application that causes it to produce incorrect or unexpected results, or to behave in unintended ways. It is a deviation from the expected behavior of the software which can be addressed through manual and automation software testing methods.
What is a defect life cycle?
The defect life cycle, also known as the bug life cycle, is a journey or cycle of a defect from identification to closure. The stages typically include:
- New: When a new defect and reported.
- Assigned: When the defect is assigned to a developer for fixing through performance testing.
- Open: When the developer starts analyzing and working on the defect.
- Fixed: When the developer makes the necessary code changes to fix the defect.
- Retest: When the defect is retested to check if the fix is successful.
- Closed: When the defect is successfully retested and resolved.
- Reopen: If the defect persists after retesting, it is reopened.
- Deferred: When the defect is not fixed in the current release and is scheduled for future releases.
What are the different types of defects?
The different types of defects include:
- Functional Defects: Issues with the functionality of the application.
- Performance Defects: Issues related to the performance, such as slow response time.
- Usability Defects: Issues related to the user interface or user experience.
- Compatibility Defects: Issues related to different browsers, devices, or operating systems.
- Security Defects: Issues that pose a security risk to the application.
- Critical Defects: Issues that cause the system to crash or result in data loss.
What is a test plan?
A test plan is a detailed document that outlines the test strategy, objectives, schedule, estimation, deliverables, and resources required to perform testing for a project. It serves as a blueprint for conducting the testing process and helps in tracking progress
Conclusion
Mastering the basics of manual testing is the first step toward becoming a proficient software tester. By familiarizing yourself with the essential concepts such as software testing phases, testing types in manual testing, and understanding the difference between verification and validation, you can build a solid foundation for your testing career. These basic manual testing interview questions not only prepare you for job interviews but also help you understand the critical role testing plays in the software development lifecycle. As you continue to learn and grow in this field, remember that each bug you find, and every test case you write brings you one step closer to delivering high-quality software. Embrace these challenges, and you’ll soon find yourself excelling in tackling manual testing interview questions for experienced positions the dynamic world of software testing
