InterviewPrep

30 QA Tester Interview Questions and Answers

Common QA Tester interview questions, how to answer them, and example answers from a certified career coach.

problem solving questions for testers

Quality assurance is the backbone of any successful software development project, and as a QA tester, you play a critical role in ensuring that defects are identified and addressed before reaching end-users. Your meticulous attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and passion for delivering top-notch products have brought you this far; now it’s time to conquer the interview process.

To help you showcase your expertise and make an exceptional impression during your QA tester interview, we’ve put together a list of common questions you may encounter along with valuable insights and sample answers designed to set you up for success.

1. What is the role of a QA tester in the software development life cycle?

Understanding the role of a QA tester in the software development life cycle demonstrates your knowledge of the testing process and how it fits into the bigger picture of software development. Hiring managers want to ensure you’re aware of the importance of your role in ensuring a high-quality product is delivered to the end user, and that you can collaborate effectively with developers, project managers, and other team members throughout the entire process.

Example: “A QA tester plays a critical role in the software development life cycle (SDLC) by ensuring that the final product meets quality standards and is free of defects. They are involved from the early stages of the project, collaborating with developers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to understand requirements and design test plans accordingly.

During the development phase, QA testers execute test cases, identify issues, and report them back to the development team for resolution. They also verify that fixes have been implemented correctly and retest as needed. Throughout this process, they maintain clear communication with all parties involved to ensure everyone stays informed about the progress and any potential roadblocks.

Towards the end of the SDLC, QA testers participate in user acceptance testing (UAT), where they work closely with end-users to validate that the software meets their needs and expectations. Once the product has passed UAT, the QA tester’s role shifts to monitoring post-release feedback and addressing any additional issues that may arise, ultimately contributing to the continuous improvement of the software.”

2. Can you explain the difference between black box, white box, and grey box testing?

Understanding the different approaches to software testing is essential for any QA tester. Each method has its unique purpose and advantages, and hiring managers want to ensure you have the knowledge to select the appropriate testing strategy based on the project’s requirements. Demonstrating your ability to explain these testing methods showcases your expertise and ability to adapt to various testing scenarios.

Example: “Certainly! Black box testing is a technique where the tester focuses on the functionality of an application without knowing its internal structure or implementation details. The primary goal is to validate that the software meets user requirements and behaves as expected, using only input-output analysis.

On the other hand, white box testing involves examining the internal logic and structure of the code itself. Testers with knowledge of programming languages and system architecture design test cases based on the application’s source code, aiming to identify issues related to code quality, security, and performance.

Grey box testing combines elements of both black box and white box testing. In this approach, testers have limited knowledge of the internal workings of the application but still focus on validating the functionality from a user perspective. This allows them to create more informed test scenarios while maintaining a level of abstraction similar to black box testing.”

3. How do you prioritize test cases when there are time constraints?

Time is always of the essence, especially in the fast-paced world of software development. Interviewers ask this question to assess your ability to prioritize tasks effectively, as well as to gauge your understanding of the importance of meeting deadlines. Demonstrating your ability to identify high-priority test cases and allocate resources accordingly under time pressure showcases your efficiency and critical thinking skills, both of which are essential for a successful QA tester.

Example: “When faced with time constraints, prioritizing test cases is essential to ensure that the most critical aspects of the application are thoroughly tested. My approach involves categorizing test cases based on their risk and impact on the overall functionality of the system.

I start by identifying high-priority test cases, which typically include those related to core functionalities, security features, and compliance requirements. These tests address areas where defects could have significant consequences for users or the business. Next, I focus on medium-priority test cases, which cover important but less critical functionalities, such as integration points between modules or components.

If time permits, I then move on to low-priority test cases, which usually involve testing edge cases, minor UI elements, or other non-essential features. Throughout this process, I maintain open communication with developers and project managers to keep them informed about my progress and any potential risks or issues that may arise due to time limitations. This collaborative approach helps ensure that we deliver a quality product while effectively managing our resources under tight deadlines.”

4. Describe your experience with automated testing tools.

Delving into your experience with automated testing tools is a way for interviewers to assess your technical skills and familiarity with modern testing practices. As a QA tester, being able to use these tools effectively can significantly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the testing process, ultimately resulting in higher-quality software and products for the company. Your experience with these tools demonstrates your adaptability and ability to stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Example: “Throughout my career as a QA tester, I have gained extensive experience with various automated testing tools. One of the primary tools I’ve worked with is Selenium WebDriver for automating web application testing. This has allowed me to create test scripts in multiple programming languages like Java and Python, which significantly improved our team’s efficiency by reducing manual testing efforts.

Another tool I’ve used extensively is JUnit for unit testing in Java applications. Implementing JUnit tests helped us identify issues early in the development process, making it easier to address them before they escalated into more significant problems. Additionally, I have experience using Jenkins for continuous integration and TestNG for managing test suites and generating detailed reports on test execution results. These tools have been invaluable in streamlining our testing processes and ensuring high-quality software delivery.”

5. What types of documentation do you create during the testing process?

Documentation is an essential part of the QA testing process, as it helps to track progress, identify issues, and communicate findings to the development team. Interviewers ask this question to assess your attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to maintain accurate records throughout the testing process, which ultimately contributes to the overall quality and success of the product.

Example: “As a QA tester, I create several types of documentation during the testing process to ensure clear communication and maintain an organized record of test results. The primary documents include test plans, test cases, and bug reports.

Test plans outline the overall testing strategy, objectives, scope, and resources required for the project. They provide a high-level view of the testing approach and help guide the team throughout the testing process. Test cases are more detailed and describe specific inputs, expected outputs, and steps to execute each test scenario. These test cases serve as a reference for testers and developers to understand what is being tested and how it should be performed.

Bug reports are created when defects or issues are identified during testing. These reports contain essential information such as the description of the issue, steps to reproduce it, severity, priority, and any relevant screenshots or logs. Bug reports enable developers to quickly identify and resolve problems while also providing a historical record of issues encountered during the testing process.”

6. Explain the concept of regression testing and why it’s important.

Understanding the concept of regression testing is a fundamental part of being a QA tester. This question is asked to ensure you comprehend its significance in the software development process. Regression testing involves retesting previously tested software features after changes have been made to ensure that existing functionality remains intact. This is crucial to maintaining software quality and avoiding unintended consequences that may arise from new code or bug fixes. Demonstrating your knowledge of regression testing shows your commitment to preserving the integrity of the product and meeting the expectations of end users.

Example: “Regression testing is the process of retesting a software application after changes have been made to ensure that previously working functionalities still perform as expected. This type of testing is essential because modifications, such as bug fixes or new feature implementations, can inadvertently introduce new issues or cause existing features to malfunction.

The importance of regression testing lies in its ability to maintain the overall quality and stability of the software. It helps identify any unintended consequences of code changes early on, allowing developers to address them before they reach end-users. Additionally, it ensures that the software continues to meet its requirements and provides a consistent user experience, which ultimately contributes to customer satisfaction and trust in the product.”

7. Have you ever had to deal with a difficult bug that was hard to reproduce? If so, how did you handle it?

In the world of QA testing, elusive bugs can be a major challenge. Interviewers want to know if you have the persistence, creativity, and problem-solving skills required to identify and fix these issues. Your ability to handle a tough-to-reproduce bug demonstrates your dedication to ensuring a high-quality product, as well as your communication skills when collaborating with developers to resolve complex problems.

Example: “Yes, I have encountered a difficult bug that was hard to reproduce during my time as a QA tester. In one particular instance, the bug only appeared intermittently and under specific conditions, making it challenging to pinpoint the root cause.

To handle this situation, I first documented every detail related to the bug, including screenshots, error messages, and any patterns I observed in its occurrence. Next, I collaborated with other team members to gather their insights and determine if they had experienced similar issues. This collaboration helped us identify common factors and narrow down potential causes.

Once we had a better understanding of the circumstances surrounding the bug, I created a detailed test plan to methodically reproduce the issue. After successfully reproducing the bug, I communicated my findings to the development team, providing them with all relevant information to facilitate a timely resolution. Throughout the process, maintaining clear communication and teamwork were essential in overcoming the challenge posed by this elusive bug.”

8. What is the purpose of a test plan, and what should it include?

Test plans are the blueprints for successful software testing, and knowing the purpose and components of a test plan is essential for any QA tester. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your understanding of the testing process and your ability to create organized, comprehensive plans that ensure the software is thoroughly examined and any issues are identified and addressed before it reaches the end-user.

Example: “The purpose of a test plan is to outline the strategy and scope for testing a specific software application or system. It serves as a blueprint that guides the QA team in executing tests effectively and efficiently, ensuring that all critical aspects are covered while minimizing risks and maximizing product quality.

A comprehensive test plan should include several key components: objectives, which define the goals of the testing process; scope, outlining the features and functionalities to be tested; test levels, such as unit, integration, and system testing; test environment requirements, specifying hardware, software, and network configurations; test deliverables, including test cases, scripts, and data sets; resource allocation, detailing personnel responsibilities and schedules; risk assessment and mitigation strategies; and exit criteria, defining when testing can be considered complete. Additionally, it should address test management processes, such as defect tracking, reporting, and communication protocols among team members.”

9. Can you describe the difference between functional and non-functional testing?

Understanding the difference between functional and non-functional testing is essential for a QA tester, as it speaks to their technical knowledge and their approach to evaluating a product or system. By asking this question, the interviewer wants to ensure that you have a solid grasp of these key testing concepts and can apply them effectively in your work to ensure that the product meets both its intended purpose and performance expectations.

Example: “Functional testing focuses on verifying whether a software application performs and operates according to the specified requirements. It involves testing individual features, user interactions, and overall system behavior to ensure that the software meets its intended purpose. Examples of functional testing include unit testing, integration testing, and system testing.

On the other hand, non-functional testing evaluates aspects of the software that are not directly related to specific functionality but rather concern the overall quality and performance characteristics. This type of testing aims to assess factors such as reliability, scalability, usability, and security. Examples of non-functional testing include load testing, stress testing, and compatibility testing. Both functional and non-functional testing play essential roles in ensuring a high-quality software product that meets user expectations and provides a seamless experience.”

10. What is risk-based testing, and when would you use it?

In the ever-evolving field of software development, it’s vital for QA testers to prioritize their testing efforts to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Risk-based testing is a strategy that helps achieve this by focusing on the parts of a software product that carry the highest risk of failure or could cause the most damage if they do fail. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your understanding of this testing methodology and your ability to apply it in real-life scenarios, ensuring that you can contribute to the success of a project by identifying and addressing critical issues first.

Example: “Risk-based testing is an approach to software testing that prioritizes the test cases based on the potential risks and impact of defects in different areas of the application. The main goal is to allocate resources efficiently by focusing on high-risk components, ensuring that critical functionalities are thoroughly tested while managing time constraints.

Risk-based testing is particularly useful when there’s limited time or resources available for testing, as it helps identify which parts of the application require more attention due to their complexity, importance, or likelihood of failure. This method allows QA testers to optimize their efforts, providing a higher level of confidence in the overall quality of the product before its release.”

11. How do you ensure that all requirements have been tested?

Quality assurance is all about making sure products meet the highest possible standards before they reach the end user. Demonstrating that you have a thorough process for testing all requirements and can identify any gaps or areas for improvement is critical to proving your value as a QA tester. By asking this question, interviewers want to see that you possess the attention to detail, organization, and dedication to excellence necessary to excel in this role.

Example: “To ensure that all requirements have been tested, I start by thoroughly reviewing the project documentation and creating a comprehensive test plan. This includes mapping each requirement to specific test cases, which helps me track coverage and identify any gaps in testing.

During the testing process, I use a test management tool to document the results of each test case, including any defects found. This allows me to monitor progress and verify that all requirements have been addressed. Additionally, I collaborate closely with developers, business analysts, and other stakeholders to clarify ambiguities and confirm that the implemented features align with the intended requirements.

Regular communication with the team is essential for staying up-to-date on changes or updates to requirements. As new information arises, I adjust the test plan accordingly and retest as needed. This systematic approach ensures thorough testing coverage and ultimately contributes to delivering a high-quality product.”

12. What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?

Interviewers ask this question to gauge your understanding of the key concepts in software testing. Verification and validation are two essential components of the QA process, and highlighting the differences between them demonstrates your knowledge of testing methodologies, as well as your ability to apply this knowledge to ensure high-quality software development.

Example: “Verification and validation are two essential components of software testing that serve distinct purposes. Verification is the process of evaluating a product or system during its development to ensure it meets specified requirements. This involves reviewing design documents, conducting inspections, and performing walkthroughs to confirm that the software aligns with the initial specifications. The primary goal of verification is to identify any discrepancies early in the development process before moving on to the next stage.

On the other hand, validation focuses on determining whether the final product fulfills its intended purpose and satisfies user needs. It involves executing test cases, scenarios, and various testing techniques to evaluate the software’s functionality, performance, and usability. Validation aims to ensure that the developed software meets end-user expectations and can be confidently deployed in real-world situations. In summary, while verification checks for adherence to design specifications, validation confirms that the software effectively addresses user requirements.”

13. Describe your experience with performance testing and load testing.

Performance and load testing are critical components of software quality assurance, ensuring that applications can withstand the demands of real-world usage while maintaining optimal functionality. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your understanding of these testing methods, your ability to design and execute relevant test scenarios, and your experience in identifying and addressing performance bottlenecks. This insight helps them determine if you can effectively contribute to improving their product’s overall performance and user satisfaction.

Example: “During my time as a QA tester, I have gained extensive experience in both performance and load testing. Performance testing involves evaluating the responsiveness, stability, and speed of an application under various conditions to ensure it meets the desired benchmarks. In one project, I used JMeter to simulate user interactions and measure response times, which helped identify bottlenecks and optimize the system’s overall performance.

Load testing, on the other hand, focuses on assessing the application’s ability to handle increased user traffic without compromising its functionality or performance. For instance, in a recent e-commerce project, I conducted load tests using LoadRunner to simulate thousands of concurrent users accessing the website during peak hours. This allowed us to evaluate the system’s capacity limits, identify potential issues, and implement necessary improvements before launching the platform. Both performance and load testing are essential components of my QA toolkit, ensuring that applications can deliver a seamless and reliable user experience.”

14. What is exploratory testing, and when would you use it?

Exploratory testing is an essential aspect of the QA process, and interviewers want to ensure you have knowledge of this technique. It’s an informal, unscripted method of testing that relies on the tester’s creativity, intuition, and experience to identify software defects. By discussing when you would use exploratory testing, you demonstrate your ability to approach testing in a flexible, adaptive manner and your understanding of when a more structured testing method may not be sufficient.

Example: “Exploratory testing is a type of software testing where the tester actively explores the application without following predefined test cases or scripts. Instead, they rely on their knowledge, experience, and intuition to identify potential defects in the system. This approach allows for more flexibility and creativity in discovering issues that may not have been anticipated during the test planning phase.

Exploratory testing is particularly useful when there is limited documentation available, when time constraints prevent the creation of detailed test plans, or when new features are introduced that require quick feedback. It can also be employed as a complement to scripted testing, allowing testers to uncover additional defects that might have been missed by formal test cases. In essence, exploratory testing helps ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the application’s functionality and overall quality.”

15. Can you explain the concept of boundary value analysis?

Boundary value analysis is a key concept in software testing, and interviewers want to gauge your understanding of this testing technique. They also want to know if you can apply it effectively to identify potential problems in a software application. Your grasp of this concept demonstrates your attention to detail, analytical thinking, and ability to identify the most critical areas to test, ensuring a higher quality product.

Example: “Boundary value analysis is a testing technique used to identify defects in software applications by focusing on the boundary values of input data. It’s based on the principle that errors are more likely to occur at the extreme edges of an input domain, rather than within its center.

To perform boundary value analysis, we first identify the minimum and maximum limits for each input variable. Then, we create test cases using these boundary values, as well as values just above and below them. This approach helps us uncover potential issues related to edge cases, such as off-by-one errors or incorrect handling of boundary conditions, ultimately improving the overall quality and reliability of the software.”

16. What is the importance of traceability matrix in software testing?

Traceability matrices play a crucial role in ensuring that software projects are thoroughly tested and meet the agreed-upon requirements. They provide a clear map of the relationships between requirements, test cases, and test results. By asking about the importance of a traceability matrix, interviewers want to gauge your understanding of its significance in maintaining the quality and reliability of software products, as well as your ability to communicate the rationale behind this testing tool.

Example: “A traceability matrix is an essential tool in software testing because it helps ensure comprehensive test coverage and verifies that all requirements have been met. It maps the relationship between test cases and their corresponding requirements, making it easier to identify any gaps or missing tests.

The traceability matrix also aids in maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the development process. In case of requirement changes or updates, it allows QA testers to quickly identify affected test cases and make necessary adjustments. This ensures that the final product meets the desired quality standards while minimizing the risk of undetected defects or issues.”

17. Describe a situation where you disagreed with a developer about a bug. How did you resolve the issue?

Conflict resolution and effective communication are essential skills for a QA tester. When working closely with developers, disagreements may arise regarding the nature of a bug, its severity, or the best way to fix it. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your ability to handle such disagreements professionally, advocate for your perspective, and collaborate on finding the best solution for the project.

Example: “There was a situation where I found a bug that caused the application to crash under specific conditions. The developer initially disagreed, stating that it was an edge case and not worth fixing since it would require significant changes in the code. However, I believed that addressing this issue was essential for ensuring a positive user experience.

To resolve the disagreement, I first gathered data on how frequently users might encounter the problematic scenario by analyzing usage patterns and discussing with our product team. Then, I presented my findings to the developer, demonstrating that the issue could potentially affect a considerable number of users. After understanding the potential impact, the developer agreed to prioritize the bug fix. This collaborative approach allowed us to reach a consensus while keeping the end-users’ best interests in mind.”

18. What is usability testing, and why is it important?

Usability testing is a critical part of the software development process, as it focuses on evaluating a product from the perspective of its users. It helps identify any issues or difficulties that users may encounter while interacting with the software, ensuring a seamless and pleasant experience. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your understanding of usability testing and its significance, as well as to assess your ability to prioritize user satisfaction in your role as a QA tester.

Example: “Usability testing is a type of software testing that focuses on evaluating the application’s user interface and overall user experience. It aims to ensure that the product is easy to use, efficient, and meets the needs and expectations of its target users. Testers simulate real-world scenarios by having actual or potential users interact with the application, observing their actions, and gathering feedback about any difficulties they encounter.

Usability testing is important because it directly impacts customer satisfaction and retention. A positive user experience can lead to increased adoption rates, higher engagement levels, and ultimately, better business outcomes. On the other hand, if users find an application difficult to navigate or unintuitive, they may abandon it in favor of competing products. Therefore, usability testing plays a critical role in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that the final product aligns with user expectations, leading to long-term success for both the application and the organization.”

19. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in QA testing?

The ever-evolving tech industry means that QA testers must be adaptable and always learning. Interviewers ask this question to gauge your commitment to staying informed about industry developments and best practices. A candidate who actively pursues learning opportunities will be more likely to apply new techniques and technologies, leading to more efficient and effective testing processes.

Example: “To stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in QA testing, I actively participate in online forums and communities where professionals share their experiences, insights, and challenges. This helps me learn from others’ expertise and gain a broader understanding of emerging trends in the industry.

I also subscribe to relevant newsletters, blogs, and podcasts that focus on quality assurance and software testing. These resources provide valuable information about new tools, techniques, and methodologies being adopted by leading organizations. Additionally, I attend webinars, workshops, and conferences whenever possible to network with other QA professionals and learn directly from experts in the field. This continuous learning approach ensures that my skills remain current and enables me to contribute effectively to my team’s success.”

20. What is the role of a QA tester in an Agile development environment?

Understanding the role of a QA tester in an Agile development environment is essential because it demonstrates your knowledge of the Agile methodology and how it differs from traditional development approaches. Agile emphasizes collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement, so a QA tester must be able to work closely with the development team, adapt to changing requirements, and provide timely feedback to ensure the final product meets the desired quality standards.

Example: “As a QA tester in an Agile development environment, my primary role is to ensure the quality and functionality of software throughout its development lifecycle. I work closely with developers, product owners, and other team members to identify potential issues early on and provide feedback for improvements.

One key aspect of working in an Agile environment is being involved from the beginning of each sprint or iteration. This allows me to understand the requirements and user stories, participate in planning sessions, and contribute to test case design. As new features are developed, I perform continuous testing, including functional, regression, and performance tests, to validate that they meet the acceptance criteria and adhere to established standards.

Another important responsibility as a QA tester in Agile is effective communication and collaboration with the team. I actively participate in daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, sharing insights and discussing any challenges encountered during testing. This collaborative approach helps the team continuously improve processes and deliver high-quality software that meets the needs of end-users.”

21. Describe your experience with cross-browser and cross-platform testing.

Cross-browser and cross-platform testing is a critical aspect of a QA tester’s role, as it ensures that a software application or website functions seamlessly on various browsers, operating systems, and devices. By asking this question, interviewers want to gauge your familiarity and experience in handling such testing scenarios. They are looking for insight into your ability to identify potential compatibility issues and ensure a smooth user experience across different environments.

Example: “Throughout my career as a QA tester, I have gained extensive experience in cross-browser and cross-platform testing. This has involved testing web applications across various browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge to ensure compatibility and consistent user experience. To streamline this process, I’ve utilized tools like BrowserStack and Sauce Labs, which allow me to test on multiple browser versions simultaneously.

Similarly, for cross-platform testing, I have worked with mobile applications on both Android and iOS devices, as well as desktop applications on Windows and macOS platforms. In these cases, I use emulators and physical devices to verify that the application functions correctly and maintains a uniform appearance and performance across different operating systems. This thorough approach ensures that our products cater to a diverse user base and meet their expectations regardless of the platform or browser they choose.”

22. What is the significance of test coverage in software testing?

Test coverage is a vital concept in software testing, as it measures how much of the code has been tested and helps identify any gaps in the testing process. When interviewers ask about test coverage, they want to know if you understand its importance and can use it to ensure the quality and reliability of the software you’re testing. The more thoroughly the code is tested, the higher the chances of detecting and fixing bugs, ultimately leading to a better product for the end-user.

Example: “Test coverage is a critical metric in software testing, as it measures the extent to which the application’s functionality has been tested. It helps identify gaps in the testing process and ensures that all aspects of the system are thoroughly examined. A high test coverage indicates that most of the code paths, features, and requirements have been tested, reducing the likelihood of undetected defects or issues.

The significance of test coverage lies in its ability to provide insights into the overall quality and reliability of the software being developed. It allows QA teams to prioritize their efforts effectively, focusing on areas with lower coverage or higher risk. Additionally, by tracking test coverage over time, organizations can assess the effectiveness of their testing strategies and make informed decisions about resource allocation and improvements in their testing processes. Ultimately, maintaining comprehensive test coverage contributes to delivering a robust and reliable product that meets customer expectations and business goals.”

23. Can you explain the concept of defect clustering?

Defect clustering is a fascinating concept that interviewers want to ensure you’re familiar with, as it plays a significant role in the quality assurance process. By understanding the idea that defects tend to cluster in certain areas or modules of a software application, you can prioritize your testing efforts to focus on those areas. This efficient use of testing resources ultimately helps improve the overall quality of the product while saving time and effort.

Example: “Defect clustering is a phenomenon observed in software testing where a relatively small number of modules or components contain the majority of identified defects. This concept is based on the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, which states that approximately 80% of problems are often found in just 20% of the system’s components.

This principle can be applied to QA testing by focusing more resources and attention on those areas with higher defect densities, ultimately improving the efficiency of the testing process. Identifying these high-risk areas early in the testing phase allows testers to prioritize their efforts, leading to faster identification and resolution of critical issues while ensuring overall product quality.”

24. What is smoke testing, and when is it performed?

Smoke testing is a vital concept in software quality assurance, and interviewers want to ensure that you’re familiar with it. It’s a preliminary form of testing that is performed to check the basic functionality of a software application before diving into more detailed testing. By asking this question, they’re assessing your understanding of testing methodologies and your ability to prioritize testing efforts in the early stages of a project.

Example: “Smoke testing is a type of software testing that focuses on verifying the basic functionality and stability of an application before proceeding with more in-depth testing. It involves executing a subset of test cases, which cover the most critical features and components of the system. The primary goal of smoke testing is to ensure that the application’s core functionalities are working as expected and to identify any major issues early in the development process.

Smoke testing is typically performed after a new build or version of the software has been released by the development team. This initial testing phase helps confirm that the build is stable enough for further testing, such as functional, integration, or regression tests. If the smoke test fails, it indicates that there are significant problems within the application, and the build is sent back to the developers for fixing before continuing with more comprehensive testing.”

25. How do you determine if a build is ready for release?

As a QA tester, your role is to ensure that software products are of the highest quality before they reach the end-users. Hiring managers want to know that you have a systematic approach to determining if a build has met the necessary requirements and is ready for release. This includes your understanding of testing processes, criteria, and your ability to prioritize and assess the impact of defects or issues. Your answer will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to delivering the best possible product.

Example: “As a QA tester, determining if a build is ready for release involves evaluating its stability and functionality against predefined acceptance criteria. First, I ensure that all critical test cases have been executed and passed without any major issues. This includes testing the primary features and functionalities of the application to confirm they meet the requirements outlined in the project documentation.

Once the critical tests are successful, I review the list of known defects and their severity levels. If there are no high-priority or critical bugs remaining, and the majority of medium and low-priority issues have been addressed, it’s an indication that the build is stable enough for release. However, it’s essential to collaborate with the development team and product owner to assess the overall risk associated with any unresolved issues and determine if they can be managed post-release through patches or updates. Ultimately, the decision to release a build relies on a combination of thorough testing, effective communication, and a clear understanding of the project’s goals and priorities.”

26. What is the difference between positive and negative testing?

Curiosity about your understanding of positive and negative testing demonstrates that the interviewer wants to ensure you have a solid grasp on the various testing methodologies. This knowledge is essential for a QA tester, as it helps identify potential issues in software and assess its overall quality. Showcasing your ability to distinguish and apply these testing approaches will give the interviewer confidence in your skills and your ability to contribute effectively to the team.

Example: “Positive testing refers to the process of validating that a software application functions correctly when provided with expected input data. In this type of testing, we focus on ensuring that the system behaves as intended and meets the specified requirements under normal conditions. The primary goal is to confirm that the application works seamlessly for its intended purpose.

On the other hand, negative testing involves providing unexpected or invalid input data to the software application to evaluate its behavior in such scenarios. This type of testing aims to identify potential errors, crashes, or security vulnerabilities that may arise due to improper handling of incorrect inputs. Negative testing helps ensure the robustness and stability of the application by verifying its ability to handle exceptional situations gracefully.

Both positive and negative testing are essential components of a comprehensive QA strategy, as they help uncover different types of issues and contribute to building a reliable and secure software product.”

27. Describe your experience with mobile application testing.

Exploring your background in mobile application testing is essential because it demonstrates your expertise in handling the unique challenges and nuances of testing on various mobile devices and platforms. Companies want to ensure that their products deliver a seamless user experience across all devices, and your ability to identify and resolve issues specific to mobile applications is a valuable skill set for a QA tester.

Example: “During my time as a QA tester, I have gained extensive experience in mobile application testing across various platforms such as Android and iOS. My responsibilities included creating test plans, executing test cases, and reporting defects to the development team. I have worked with both native and hybrid applications, which has given me a solid understanding of the unique challenges associated with each type.

To ensure comprehensive testing, I utilized a combination of manual and automated testing techniques. For manual testing, I focused on usability, compatibility, and accessibility aspects, while for automation, I used tools like Appium and Selenium to perform regression tests and validate functionality. This approach allowed me to identify issues early in the development process and contribute to delivering high-quality mobile applications that met user expectations and business requirements.”

28. What is the role of a QA tester in ensuring software security?

Software security is a critical concern for businesses and end-users alike, and a QA tester’s role is essential in maintaining it. By asking this question, interviewers want to gauge your understanding of the QA tester’s responsibilities in identifying security vulnerabilities and ensuring the software meets the required security standards. Demonstrating your awareness of security best practices and your ability to implement them within the testing process can give the hiring team confidence in your ability to contribute to a secure product.

Example: “As a QA tester, my role in ensuring software security is to identify and report potential vulnerabilities within the application during the testing phase. This involves conducting thorough security tests using various methodologies such as penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and code review.

I collaborate closely with developers and other team members to ensure that any identified security issues are addressed promptly and effectively. Additionally, I stay up-to-date on the latest security trends and best practices, which allows me to proactively recommend improvements to our testing processes and contribute to the overall security posture of the software we develop. Ultimately, my goal as a QA tester is to help create secure applications that protect user data and maintain the trust of our customers.”

29. Have you ever had to deal with tight deadlines and limited resources? If so, how did you manage your workload?

Time and resource constraints are a reality in the fast-paced world of QA testing. Interviewers want to know if you’ve faced such challenges and, more importantly, how you’ve successfully navigated them. Your ability to prioritize tasks, collaborate with your team, and maintain a high level of quality under pressure speaks volumes about your adaptability and problem-solving skills in the workplace.

Example: “Yes, I have faced situations where tight deadlines and limited resources posed challenges in my role as a QA tester. In one particular project, we had to deliver a fully tested product within a short timeframe due to an upcoming launch event. To manage my workload effectively under these constraints, I employed a few strategies.

First, I prioritized the most critical test cases based on their potential impact on the end-user experience and overall system stability. This allowed me to focus on addressing high-priority issues first, ensuring that any major problems were resolved before moving on to less critical ones.

Then, I collaborated closely with the development team to establish clear communication channels and provide timely feedback on identified issues. This helped expedite the resolution process and enabled us to work more efficiently together. Additionally, I utilized automation tools for repetitive tasks, which saved time and allowed me to concentrate on more complex testing scenarios.

Through this combination of prioritization, effective communication, and leveraging technology, I was able to successfully manage my workload and contribute to delivering a quality product within the given deadline.”

30. Can you provide an example of a time when you identified a critical issue that others missed during testing?

Digging deep into your problem-solving skills, this question aims to uncover your ability to think critically and thoroughly assess software or products during testing. It highlights your attention to detail and your willingness to go the extra mile in spotting potential issues that could negatively impact user experience or company reputation. Moreover, it demonstrates your value as a team member who can help improve the overall quality of the product being tested.

Example: “During my time at XYZ Company, we were working on a major software update for our flagship product. The development team had completed their work and handed it over to the QA team for testing. While most of my colleagues focused on functional testing and user interface issues, I decided to dig deeper into performance and security aspects.

I discovered that under specific conditions, the application would experience a significant slowdown, which could potentially lead to crashes or data loss. This issue was not apparent during regular use but became evident when simulating high-stress scenarios. I immediately reported my findings to the project manager and provided detailed information about the steps to reproduce the problem.

The development team acknowledged the oversight and promptly addressed the issue before releasing the update. My thorough approach to testing helped prevent a critical flaw from reaching end-users, ultimately saving the company from potential reputational damage and customer dissatisfaction.”

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15 Common Problem-Solving Interview Questions

Ebook: How to Build a Tech Talent Brand: The Definitive Guide

In an interview for a big tech company, I was asked if I’d ever resolved a fight — and the exact way I went about handling it. I felt blindsided, and I stammered my way through an excuse of an answer.

It’s a familiar scenario to fellow technical job seekers — and one that risks leaving a sour taste in our mouths. As candidate experience becomes an increasingly critical component of the hiring process, recruiters need to ensure the problem-solving interview questions they prepare don’t dissuade talent in the first place. 

Interview questions designed to gauge a candidate’s problem-solving skills are more often than not challenging and vague. Assessing a multifaceted skill like problem solving is tricky — a good problem solver owns the full solution and result, researches well, solves creatively and takes action proactively. 

It’s hard to establish an effective way to measure such a skill. But it’s not impossible.

We recommend taking an informed and prepared approach to testing candidates’ problem-solving skills . With that in mind, here’s a list of a few common problem-solving interview questions, the science behind them — and how you can go about administering your own problem-solving questions with the unique challenges of your organization in mind.

Key Takeaways for Effective Problem-Solving Interview Questions

  • Problem solving lies at the heart of programming. 
  • Testing a candidate’s problem-solving skills goes beyond the IDE. Problem-solving interview questions should test both technical skills and soft skills.
  • STAR, SOAR and PREP are methods a candidate can use to answer some non-technical problem-solving interview questions.
  • Generic problem-solving interview questions go a long way in gauging a candidate’s fit. But you can go one step further by customizing them according to your company’s service, product, vision, and culture. 

Technical Problem-Solving Interview Question Examples

Evaluating a candidates’ problem-solving skills while using coding challenges might seem intimidating. The secret is that coding challenges test many things at the same time — like the candidate’s knowledge of data structures and algorithms, clean code practices, and proficiency in specific programming languages, to name a few examples.

Problem solving itself might at first seem like it’s taking a back seat. But technical problem solving lies at the heart of programming, and most coding questions are designed to test a candidate’s problem-solving abilities.

Here are a few examples of technical problem-solving questions:

1. Mini-Max Sum  

This well-known challenge, which asks the interviewee to find the maximum and minimum sum among an array of given numbers, is based on a basic but important programming concept called sorting, as well as integer overflow. It tests the candidate’s observational skills, and the answer should elicit a logical, ad-hoc solution.

2. Organizing Containers of Balls  

This problem tests the candidate’s knowledge of a variety of programming concepts, like 2D arrays, sorting and iteration. Organizing colored balls in containers based on various conditions is a common question asked in competitive examinations and job interviews, because it’s an effective way to test multiple facets of a candidate’s problem-solving skills.

3. Build a Palindrome

This is a tough problem to crack, and the candidate’s knowledge of concepts like strings and dynamic programming plays a significant role in solving this challenge. This problem-solving example tests the candidate’s ability to think on their feet as well as their ability to write clean, optimized code.

4. Subarray Division

Based on a technique used for searching pairs in a sorted array ( called the “two pointers” technique ), this problem can be solved in just a few lines and judges the candidate’s ability to optimize (as well as basic mathematical skills).

5. The Grid Search 

This is a problem of moderate difficulty and tests the candidate’s knowledge of strings and searching algorithms, the latter of which is regularly tested in developer interviews across all levels.

Common Non-Technical Problem-Solving Interview Questions 

Testing a candidate’s problem-solving skills goes beyond the IDE . Everyday situations can help illustrate competency, so here are a few questions that focus on past experiences and hypothetical situations to help interviewers gauge problem-solving skills.

1. Given the problem of selecting a new tool to invest in, where and how would you begin this task? 

Key Insight : This question offers insight into the candidate’s research skills. Ideally, they would begin by identifying the problem, interviewing stakeholders, gathering insights from the team, and researching what tools exist to best solve for the team’s challenges and goals. 

2. Have you ever recognized a potential problem and addressed it before it occurred? 

Key Insight: Prevention is often better than cure. The ability to recognize a problem before it occurs takes intuition and an understanding of business needs. 

3. A teammate on a time-sensitive project confesses that he’s made a mistake, and it’s putting your team at risk of missing key deadlines. How would you respond?

Key Insight: Sometimes, all the preparation in the world still won’t stop a mishap. Thinking on your feet and managing stress are skills that this question attempts to unearth. Like any other skill, they can be cultivated through practice.

4. Tell me about a time you used a unique problem-solving approach. 

Key Insight: Creativity can manifest in many ways, including original or novel ways to tackle a problem. Methods like the 10X approach and reverse brainstorming are a couple of unique approaches to problem solving. 

5. Have you ever broken rules for the “greater good?” If yes, can you walk me through the situation?

Key Insight: “Ask for forgiveness, not for permission.” It’s unconventional, but in some situations, it may be the mindset needed to drive a solution to a problem.

6. Tell me about a weakness you overcame at work, and the approach you took. 

Key Insight: According to Compass Partnership , “self-awareness allows us to understand how and why we respond in certain situations, giving us the opportunity to take charge of these responses.” It’s easy to get overwhelmed when faced with a problem. Candidates showing high levels of self-awareness are positioned to handle it well.

7. Have you ever owned up to a mistake at work? Can you tell me about it?

Key Insight: Everybody makes mistakes. But owning up to them can be tough, especially at a workplace. Not only does it take courage, but it also requires honesty and a willingness to improve, all signs of 1) a reliable employee and 2) an effective problem solver.

8. How would you approach working with an upset customer?

Key Insight: With the rise of empathy-driven development and more companies choosing to bridge the gap between users and engineers, today’s tech teams speak directly with customers more frequently than ever before. This question brings to light the candidate’s interpersonal skills in a client-facing environment.

9. Have you ever had to solve a problem on your own, but needed to ask for additional help? How did you go about it? 

Key Insight: Knowing when you need assistance to complete a task or address a situation is an important quality to have while problem solving. This questions helps the interviewer get a sense of the candidate’s ability to navigate those waters. 

10. Let’s say you disagree with your colleague on how to move forward with a project. How would you go about resolving the disagreement?

Key Insight: Conflict resolution is an extremely handy skill for any employee to have; an ideal answer to this question might contain a brief explanation of the conflict or situation, the role played by the candidate and the steps taken by them to arrive at a positive resolution or outcome. 

Strategies for Answering Problem-Solving Questions

If you’re a job seeker, chances are you’ll encounter this style of question in your various interview experiences. While problem-solving interview questions may appear simple, they can be easy to fumble — leaving the interviewer without a clear solution or outcome. 

It’s important to approach such questions in a structured manner. Here are a few tried-and-true methods to employ in your next problem-solving interview.

1. Shine in Interviews With the STAR Method

S ituation, T ask, A ction, and R esult is a great method that can be employed to answer a problem-solving or behavioral interview question. Here’s a breakdown of these steps:

  • Situation : A good way to address almost any interview question is to lay out and define the situation and circumstances. 
  • Task : Define the problem or goal that needs to be addressed. Coding questions are often multifaceted, so this step is particularly important when answering technical problem-solving questions.
  • Action : How did you go about solving the problem? Try to be as specific as possible, and state your plan in steps if you can.
  • Result : Wrap it up by stating the outcome achieved. 

2. Rise above difficult questions using the SOAR method

A very similar approach to the STAR method, SOAR stands for S ituation, O bstacle, A ction, and R esults .

  • Situation: Explain the state of affairs. It’s important to steer clear of stating any personal opinions in this step; focus on the facts.
  • Obstacle: State the challenge or problem you faced.
  • Action: Detail carefully how you went about overcoming this obstacle.
  • Result: What was the end result? Apart from overcoming the obstacle, did you achieve anything else? What did you learn in the process? 

3. Do It the PREP Way

Traditionally used as a method to make effective presentations, the P oint, R eason, E xample, P oint method can also be used to answer problem-solving interview questions.  

  • Point : State the solution in plain terms. 
  • Reasons: Follow up the solution by detailing your case — and include any data or insights that support your solution. 
  • Example: In addition to objective data and insights, drive your answer home by contextualizing the solution in a real-world example.
  • Point : Reiterate the solution to make it come full circle.

How to Customize Problem-Solving Interview Questions 

Generic problem-solving interview questions go a long way in gauging a candidate’s skill level, but recruiters can go one step further by customizing these problem-solving questions according to their company’s service, product, vision, or culture. 

Here are some tips to do so:

  • Break down the job’s responsibilities into smaller tasks. Job descriptions may contain ambiguous responsibilities like “manage team projects effectively.” To formulate an effective problem-solving question, envision what this task might look like in a real-world context and develop a question around it.  
  • Tailor questions to the role at hand. Apart from making for an effective problem-solving question, it gives the candidate the impression you’re an informed technical recruiter. For example, an engineer will likely have attended many scrums. So, a good question to ask is: “Suppose you notice your scrums are turning unproductive. How would you go about addressing this?” 
  • Consider the tools and technologies the candidate will use on the job. For example, if Jira is the primary project management tool, a good problem-solving interview question might be: “Can you tell me about a time you simplified a complex workflow — and the tools you used to do so?”
  • If you don’t know where to start, your company’s core values can often provide direction. If one of the core values is “ownership,” for example, consider asking a question like: “Can you walk us through a project you owned from start to finish?” 
  • Sometimes, developing custom content can be difficult even with all these tips considered. Our platform has a vast selection of problem-solving examples that are designed to help recruiters ask the right questions to help nail their next technical interview.

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Top 20 Problem Solving Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

problem solving questions for testers

By Mike Simpson

When candidates prepare for interviews, they usually focus on highlighting their leadership, communication, teamwork, and similar crucial soft skills . However, not everyone gets ready for problem-solving interview questions. And that can be a big mistake.

Problem-solving is relevant to nearly any job on the planet. Yes, it’s more prevalent in certain industries, but it’s helpful almost everywhere.

Regardless of the role you want to land, you may be asked to provide problem-solving examples or describe how you would deal with specific situations. That’s why being ready to showcase your problem-solving skills is so vital.

If you aren’t sure who to tackle problem-solving questions, don’t worry, we have your back. Come with us as we explore this exciting part of the interview process, as well as some problem-solving interview questions and example answers.

What Is Problem-Solving?

When you’re trying to land a position, there’s a good chance you’ll face some problem-solving interview questions. But what exactly is problem-solving? And why is it so important to hiring managers?

Well, the good folks at Merriam-Webster define problem-solving as “the process or act of finding a solution to a problem.” While that may seem like common sense, there’s a critical part to that definition that should catch your eye.

What part is that? The word “process.”

In the end, problem-solving is an activity. It’s your ability to take appropriate steps to find answers, determine how to proceed, or otherwise overcome the challenge.

Being great at it usually means having a range of helpful problem-solving skills and traits. Research, diligence, patience, attention-to-detail , collaboration… they can all play a role. So can analytical thinking , creativity, and open-mindedness.

But why do hiring managers worry about your problem-solving skills? Well, mainly, because every job comes with its fair share of problems.

While problem-solving is relevant to scientific, technical, legal, medical, and a whole slew of other careers. It helps you overcome challenges and deal with the unexpected. It plays a role in troubleshooting and innovation. That’s why it matters to hiring managers.

How to Answer Problem-Solving Interview Questions

Okay, before we get to our examples, let’s take a quick second to talk about strategy. Knowing how to answer problem-solving interview questions is crucial. Why? Because the hiring manager might ask you something that you don’t anticipate.

Problem-solving interview questions are all about seeing how you think. As a result, they can be a bit… unconventional.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill job interview questions . Instead, they are tricky behavioral interview questions . After all, the goal is to find out how you approach problem-solving, so most are going to feature scenarios, brainteasers, or something similar.

So, having a great strategy means knowing how to deal with behavioral questions. Luckily, there are a couple of tools that can help.

First, when it comes to the classic approach to behavioral interview questions, look no further than the STAR Method . With the STAR method, you learn how to turn your answers into captivating stories. This makes your responses tons more engaging, ensuring you keep the hiring manager’s attention from beginning to end.

Now, should you stop with the STAR Method? Of course not. If you want to take your answers to the next level, spend some time with the Tailoring Method , too.

With the Tailoring Method, it’s all about relevance. So, if you get a chance to choose an example that demonstrates your problem-solving skills, this is really the way to go.

We also wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions!

Click below to get your free PDF now:

Get Our Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet!

FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our " Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet " that gives you " word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview .

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Top 3 Problem-Solving-Based Interview Questions

Alright, here is what you’ve been waiting for: the problem-solving questions and sample answers.

While many questions in this category are job-specific, these tend to apply to nearly any job. That means there’s a good chance you’ll come across them at some point in your career, making them a great starting point when you’re practicing for an interview.

So, let’s dive in, shall we? Here’s a look at the top three problem-solving interview questions and example responses.

1. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a challenging problem?

In the land of problem-solving questions, this one might be your best-case scenario. It lets you choose your own problem-solving examples to highlight, putting you in complete control.

When you choose an example, go with one that is relevant to what you’ll face in the role. The closer the match, the better the answer is in the eyes of the hiring manager.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“While working as a mobile telecom support specialist for a large organization, we had to transition our MDM service from one vendor to another within 45 days. This personally physically handling 500 devices within the agency. Devices had to be gathered from the headquarters and satellite offices, which were located all across the state, something that was challenging even without the tight deadline. I approached the situation by identifying the location assignment of all personnel within the organization, enabling me to estimate transit times for receiving the devices. Next, I timed out how many devices I could personally update in a day. Together, this allowed me to create a general timeline. After that, I coordinated with each location, both expressing the urgency of adhering to deadlines and scheduling bulk shipping options. While there were occasional bouts of resistance, I worked with location leaders to calm concerns and facilitate action. While performing all of the updates was daunting, my approach to organizing the event made it a success. Ultimately, the entire transition was finished five days before the deadline, exceeding the expectations of many.”

2. Describe a time where you made a mistake. What did you do to fix it?

While this might not look like it’s based on problem-solving on the surface, it actually is. When you make a mistake, it creates a challenge, one you have to work your way through. At a minimum, it’s an opportunity to highlight problem-solving skills, even if you don’t address the topic directly.

When you choose an example, you want to go with a situation where the end was positive. However, the issue still has to be significant, causing something negative to happen in the moment that you, ideally, overcame.

“When I first began in a supervisory role, I had trouble setting down my individual contributor hat. I tried to keep up with my past duties while also taking on the responsibilities of my new role. As a result, I began rushing and introduced an error into the code of the software my team was updating. The error led to a memory leak. We became aware of the issue when the performance was hindered, though we didn’t immediately know the cause. I dove back into the code, reviewing recent changes, and, ultimately, determined the issue was a mistake on my end. When I made that discovery, I took several steps. First, I let my team know that the error was mine and let them know its nature. Second, I worked with my team to correct the issue, resolving the memory leak. Finally, I took this as a lesson about delegation. I began assigning work to my team more effectively, a move that allowed me to excel as a manager and help them thrive as contributors. It was a crucial learning moment, one that I have valued every day since.”

3. If you identify a potential risk in a project, what steps do you take to prevent it?

Yes, this is also a problem-solving question. The difference is, with this one, it’s not about fixing an issue; it’s about stopping it from happening. Still, you use problem-solving skills along the way, so it falls in this question category.

If you can, use an example of a moment when you mitigated risk in the past. If you haven’t had that opportunity, approach it theoretically, discussing the steps you would take to prevent an issue from developing.

“If I identify a potential risk in a project, my first step is to assess the various factors that could lead to a poor outcome. Prevention requires analysis. Ensuring I fully understand what can trigger the undesired event creates the right foundation, allowing me to figure out how to reduce the likelihood of those events occurring. Once I have the right level of understanding, I come up with a mitigation plan. Exactly what this includes varies depending on the nature of the issue, though it usually involves various steps and checks designed to monitor the project as it progresses to spot paths that may make the problem more likely to happen. I find this approach effective as it combines knowledge and ongoing vigilance. That way, if the project begins to head into risky territory, I can correct its trajectory.”

17 More Problem-Solving-Based Interview Questions

In the world of problem-solving questions, some apply to a wide range of jobs, while others are more niche. For example, customer service reps and IT helpdesk professionals both encounter challenges, but not usually the same kind.

As a result, some of the questions in this list may be more relevant to certain careers than others. However, they all give you insights into what this kind of question looks like, making them worth reviewing.

Here are 17 more problem-solving interview questions you might face off against during your job search:

  • How would you describe your problem-solving skills?
  • Can you tell me about a time when you had to use creativity to deal with an obstacle?
  • Describe a time when you discovered an unmet customer need while assisting a customer and found a way to meet it.
  • If you were faced with an upset customer, how would you diffuse the situation?
  • Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a complex issue.
  • Imagine you were overseeing a project and needed a particular item. You have two choices of vendors: one that can deliver on time but would be over budget, and one that’s under budget but would deliver one week later than you need it. How do you figure out which approach to use?
  • Your manager wants to upgrade a tool you regularly use for your job and wants your recommendation. How do you formulate one?
  • A supplier has said that an item you need for a project isn’t going to be delivered as scheduled, something that would cause your project to fall behind schedule. What do you do to try and keep the timeline on target?
  • Can you share an example of a moment where you encountered a unique problem you and your colleagues had never seen before? How did you figure out what to do?
  • Imagine you were scheduled to give a presentation with a colleague, and your colleague called in sick right before it was set to begin. What would you do?
  • If you are given two urgent tasks from different members of the leadership team, both with the same tight deadline, how do you choose which to tackle first?
  • Tell me about a time you and a colleague didn’t see eye-to-eye. How did you decide what to do?
  • Describe your troubleshooting process.
  • Tell me about a time where there was a problem that you weren’t able to solve. What happened?
  • In your opening, what skills or traits make a person an exceptional problem-solver?
  • When you face a problem that requires action, do you usually jump in or take a moment to carefully assess the situation?
  • When you encounter a new problem you’ve never seen before, what is the first step that you take?

Putting It All Together

At this point, you should have a solid idea of how to approach problem-solving interview questions. Use the tips above to your advantage. That way, you can thrive during your next interview.

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problem solving questions for testers

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

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Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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Would you believe knowing your employees' problem-solving skills can help you exert control over the future? Well yes! Problem-solving and problem-solving processes are critical parts of our everyday lives. We ought to develop and refine these skills through day-to-day problems while working in a professional environment.

But did you know you can set a relaxing and streamlined tone throughout the team by learning the candidate's propensity towards problematic situations? When you measure a candidate's problem-solving skills and complexity, you can make informed and logical decisions in critical cases. Therefore, you can hand over the right situation to the right candidate, avoiding all the last-minute hassle and stress among the team.

Want to learn more about problem-solving skills and problem-solving, problem-solving interview questions for software engineers, skills etc.? Keep reading.

What is a problem-solving interview?

Moving on to the next most crucial aspect, how do you define problem-solving interviews?

Problem-solving interviews are mainly used to identify, assess and evaluate an applicant's approach to critical and difficult situations. Since problems are inevitable in every industry, having a candidate with strong problem-solving abilities could be of great use.

Here are the core steps the candidate must follow while solving a problem

  • Identifying and determining the problem
  • Coming up with all possible solutions
  • Evaluate and eliminate the option
  • Figure out the best solution
  • Implement the solution
  • Estimate the outcome

What are the key takeaways for effective problem-solving interview questions?

Good problem-solving interview questions are designed to gauge a candidate's aptitude for identifying, analyzing, and resolving intricate issues. The following are some important considerations for formulating and performing successful problem-solving interview questions:

  • Adapt questions to job requirements: Questions should be adapted to the particular job requirements. Ask questions that are specifically related to the aptitudes and skills needed for the position.
  • Employ behavioral inquiries: Behavioral inquiries ask the candidate to provide concrete examples of times when they have addressed challenges. This method aids in evaluating a candidate's capacity for problem-solving as well as their ability to explain their reasoning.
  • Employ open-ended inquiries: Open-ended inquiries provide the applicant the chance to show off their imagination and critical thinking abilities. These inquiries are meant to get the candidate to consider options beyond the obvious.
  • Employ hypothetical questions: Using hypothetical questions can help assess a candidate's creativity and problem-solving abilities. These can be used to judge a candidate's capacity for situational analysis and idea generation.
  • Suggest follow-up inquiries: The interviewer can go deeper into a candidate's cognitive process with the help of follow-up questions. Also, they can be used to shed light on the candidate's responses and point out any areas that may require further improvement.
  •  Analyze your problem-solving abilities overall: It's crucial to consider a candidate's capacity to provide solutions, implement them, and evaluate their efficacy while assessing their problem-solving skills.
  • Check for signs of cooperation: Working with people to solve problems is frequently a collaborative process. So, you must look for proof that the applicant can identify challenges and collaborate with others to find solutions.

These important lessons can help interviewers construct problem-solving interview questions that accurately gauge a candidate's capacity to take on challenging situations and come up with workable answers.

Which job positions can use problem-solving interview questions?

Here's the list of job positions that requires problem-solving interview questions:

  • IT developers
  • Business Analyst
  • Data Scientist
  • Logistic manager
  • Software Technical support
  • Senior IT Specialist
  • Technical Customer Support
  • Software Engineer
  • Technical Consultant

Want to assess the candidate's problem-solving abilities within half-time? Try iMocha's   Aptitude assessments.

How to assess problem-solving skills of a software engineer?

Assessing software engineers demands rigorous time and work through thousands of resumes, then interviews. But this entire procedure can be streamlined by using a top leading talent assessment portal such as   iMocha .

iMocha offers that can help recruiters determine the prospect's potential, skills, dexterity, and reliability for the offered position. Using iMocha's world's most extensive content library of 2500+ skills, hiring managers can prepare for various job roles; such recruiters can prepare customized tests for problem-solving interview questions for software engineers to assess non-technical skills.

To assess candidates' technical skills, iMocha offers an exclusive set of AI-driven advanced features such as

  • AI-LogicBox;   stimulates a pseudo coding environment resulting in reduced candidate turnover time.
  • Live coding interview;   evaluate candidates' logical thinking and problem-solving capabilities remotely
  • Code Replay;   enables employers to observe how applicants write code in order to assess their approach to problem-solving.   

We have broken-down problem-solving questions into technical and non-technical categories.

Examples of technical problem-solving interview questions to ask for software engineer

  • How would you troubleshoot and debug a system?
  • How to scale a web application to handle increased traffic?
  • Explain how to implement a load balancer for a web application.
  • Explain the approach to resolving a security vulnerability in a software system.
  • Explain how you would optimize the performance of a specific algorithm.
  • How would you resolve a compatibility issue between different system components?
  • Explain the approach to resolving a data integrity issue in a database.
  • How would you resolve a configuration management issue in a system?  
  • How would you resolve a cross-browser compatibility issue in a web application?  
  • Explain implementing a data backup and recovery strategy for a system.  

Examples of non-technical problem-solving interview questions to ask for software engineer  

  • Have you experienced a stressful situation? If yes, how did you handle it?  
  • How would you handle project deadlines in a situation where a project is falling behind schedule?  
  • Can you give an example where you identified a problem and took action to prevent it from happening?  
  • How do you stay organized and manage your workload effectively?  
  • What are your great learnings from mistakes? How did you manage your mistakes?  
  • How do you stay focused and motivated when working on long-term projects or tasks?  
  • What strategies did you implement to achieve your goals?  
  • How good are you at maintaining documents of your programming work?  
  • How do you manage the priority and scope of work?  
  • What makes you a great problem solver?  

How to customize problem-solving Interview questions

Integrating iMocha's ready-made job-role-based tests and content library with your own interview questions allows you to create customized problem-solving interview questions for software engineers for any other role.

Software Engineer problem-solving questions will expose candidates to a series of hypothetical scenarios. By analyzing candidates' answers, recruiters will be able to understand and determine the extent to which a candidate can implement their problem-solving questions.  

If you're looking forward to making an informed and data-driven hiring decision, try iMocha's skills assessments. iMocha offers an array of skills assessments, including aptitude, critical thinking, business analysis, cognitive ability, and more. Explore iMocha's vast skill library to find job-specific skill assessments.   

Why should software engineers be tested on their problem-solving abilities?   

Since problems are inevitable in any industry or business, acquiring strong problem-solving skills is indispensable. As a software developer, your ability to detect and solve software issues using deductive reasoning is crucial to your success.

Payal Rajpoot

Payal Rajpoot

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  • Software Testing Tutorial
  • Levels of Software Testing
  • Software Testing Techniques
  • Test plan – Software Testing
  • Software Testing Tools
  • Backend Testing
  • API Testing
  • Apache JMeter
  • Agile Software Testing
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Related Articles

Software Testing Interview Questions

Software testing interview questions for freshers.

  • What is Software Testing?
  • What are the different types of software testing?
  • What are the different phases of the software testing life cycle?
  • What are the different levels of testing?
  • What is use case testing?
  • What is a traceability matrix?
  • Why software testing is important?
  • What is a test case?
  • What does a test plan consists of?
  • What do you mean by Quality Assurance(QA)?
  • Explain the Waterfall and Agile Models.

Software Testing Interview Questions for Intermediate

  • What is a user story?
  • What is a test environment?
  • What is Cookie Testing?
  • What is Bottom-up Testing?
  • What is Dynamic Testing?
  • What is Risk-Based Testing?
  • What is Fuzz Testing?
  • What is Test Harness?
  • What is Concurrency Testing?
  • What is Defect Age?
  • What is Un-Installation Testing?
  • What is Equivalence Class Partition (ECP)?
  • What is Software Configuration Management?
  • What is a Test Script?
  • What is Test Bed?
  • What is Sanity Testing?
  • What is Test Closure?
  • What is a Stub?
  • What is a Driver?
  • What is Cause-effect Graph?
  • What is Test Strategy?
  • What is Test Scenario?
  • What is Code Coverage?

Software Testing Interview Questions for Experienced

  • Explain the role of testing in software development.
  • What is a bug report?
  • What is the purpose of risk-based testing?
  • What are the different types of testing metrics?
  • What do you mean by Defect Cascading?
  • What is Test-Driven Development?
  • What is the difference between verification and validation in Testing?
  • What is the difference between Bug, Defect, Error, Fault, and Failure?
  • What do you verify in white-box testing?
  • What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing?
  • What is the difference between data-driven testing and retesting?
  • Why developers should not test the software they build?
  • What qualities should a software developer possess?
  • What are the benefits of acceptance testing?
  • Explain the bug life cycle.
  • What is the role of Usability Testing?

Software Testing plays an important role in a software development project. It is an essential step in the software development life-cycle that supports software companies to identify and make changes in the software according to the requirements.

If you want to get into major software companies, you need to master some important Software testing interview questions to crack their Software testing interviews.

Table of Content

  • Manual Testing Interview Questions and Answers
  • Automation Testing Interview Questions
  • API Testing Interview Questions
  • Selenium Interview Questions

This article is written under the guidance of the masters of Software testing and by getting ideas through the experience of students’ recent Software testing interviews. It has a comprehensive list of important interview questions frequently asked by the interviewer for the Software Tester or Quality Assurance (QA) position . These Software Testing interview questions and their answers are designed in the increasing order of difficulty and experience level for Freshers , Intermediate, and Experienced candidates .

Let’s begin with beginner-level software testing interview questions for freshers.

1. What is Software Testing?

Software testing is the process of evaluating and verifying if a software product does what it is supposed to do. The process of software testing aims not only at finding faults in the existing software but also at finding measures to improve the software in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and usability. It mainly aims at measuring the specification, functionality, and performance of a software program or application. 

2. What are the Different Types of Software Testing?

There are many ways to test software. Some types of Software testing are conducted by software developers while some are conducted by specialized quality assurance staff. Here are the different types of software testing with brief descriptions for each.

types-of-s-w-testing

Types of Software Testing

3. What are the Different Phases of the Software Testing Life Cycle?

There are six phases in the software testing life cycle:

problem solving questions for testers

Phases of Software Testing Life-Cycle

  • Identify the type of test to be conducted.
  • Prepare Requirement Traceability Matrix.
  • Identify test environment details.
  • Gather information about testing priorities.
  • Preparation of the test strategy document.
  • Test Effort and cost estimation.
  • Test limitation, test schedule determination.
  • Resource planning.
  • Determining roles and responsibilities.
  • Test case creation.
  • Review test cases.
  • Create test data.
  • Understand the environment setup and determine the hardware and software requirements for the test environment.
  • Set up the test environment.
  • Set up test data.
  • Test script execution.
  • Test script maintenance.
  • Bug reporting.
  • Map defects to test cases in RTM.
  • Track defects to closure.
  • Analyze testing artifacts to identify strategies.
  • Prepare test metrics.
  • Document learning of the project.
  • Prepare test closure project.

4. What are the Different Levels of Testing?

There are mainly four levels of software testing –

levels-testing

Levels of Testing

  • Unit Testing – This level of testing aims to test each unit or module of the software by separating it. In this type of testing, it is checked whether the components are fulfilling the functionalities or not.
  • Integration Testing – In this type of testing, the different modules are combined and tested as a group to make sure that the integrated system is ready for system testing.
  • System Testing – In this type of testing, the complete, integrated system is tested. The system’s compliance is checked as per the requirements. The overall interaction of the components is tested.
  • Acceptance Testing – It is usually done by the user or customer. However, other stockholders also are involved in this process. It is used to evaluate whether the requirements are met as per its delivery. This is also known as User Acceptance Testing(UAT).

5. What is use case testing? 

It is a testing technique that helps to identify the test cases to cover the entire system from start to end. Test cases are the transactions that are performed between the user and the system. The use case testing helps in the following ways-

  • Identify the gaps in the software application.
  • It helps to capture the functional requirements of the system.
  • It helps to manage the complexity since it focuses on one specific usage aspect at a time.

6. What is a traceability matrix?

A traceability matrix also known as Requirement Traceability Matrix(RTM) is a document that is used in the development of the software application to trace the requirements proposed by the client to the system being built. Some of the features of RTM are-

  • It is prepared before test execution to make sure that all the requirements are covered in the test cases.
  • The test engineers will prepare RTM for the respective assigned modules.
  • These will be submitted to the Test Lead.
  • The Test Lead will verify the specific module RTM to see if all the requirements of that module are mapped to corresponding test cases and in the end, will consolidate all the RTMs and prepare one necessary RTM document.
  • The main purpose of RTM is to check that all requirements are checked via test cases.

7. Why is software testing important?

Some of the reasons why software testing is important are-

  • Increase the quality- The quality of the software can be determined by the number of defects identified during the testing process. Those defects can be fixed with the software development life cycle. Testing ensures a quality product is delivered to the customer.
  • Reduce risks- Defects discovered during the testing process should either be fixed or removed from the final product to ensure the seamless execution of the software during the live operation. Continuous testing is important to mitigate the risks.
  • Security- If a specific product has undergone thorough and continuous testing then the user can be ensured that a reliable product will be delivered to them. The personal credentials of the user can be considered to be safe.
  • Satisfaction of the customer- System stability is what a customer wants. Continuous testing throughout the software development process ensures that stable software has been developed, therefore increasing the confidence in the customer once the software is released into the live environment.
  • Cost-Effective- The cost-effectiveness of the software is one of the top reasons why software testing is such an important activity in the software development process. Testing early helps the project managers to have better control of the budget of software. Discovering defects and fixing them in the earlier stages not only enables the system to be better but also reduces unexpected costs.
  • Enhancing the development process- The testing team should work in parallel with the development team, which is useful for the acceleration of the development process.
  • Determine the performance of the software- Software testing is the easiest way to determine the performance of the software. If the software has low performance, then it will bring down the reputation of the company. Thus, conducting continuous testing will help to uncover errors in the software and thus increase the performance of the software.

8. What is a test case?

A test case is a document specifying the test data, precondition, expected results, and post-conditions that are developed for a particular test scenario to determine if it satisfies software requirements and functions correctly. The purpose of a test case is to determine whether the different features in the system are performing as expected. Writing test cases can help to reveal errors or bugs in the system. The benefits of an effective test case include the following-

  • Good test coverage.
  • Reusable test cases.
  • Helps to avoid training for every new test engineer.
  • Improved quality of the software.
  • More satisfied customers.

The typical test case parameters are-

  • Test Case Name/ ID
  • Test Case Type
  • Requirement Number
  • Pre-condition

9. What does a test plan consist of?

According to the IEEE 829 test plan standard, the test plan consists of the following headings-

  • Test plan identifier- It identifies the project and includes information about the version and test plan type.
  • Introduction- It contains the summary of the test plan. It sets objectives, scope, goals, resources, and budget constraints.
  • Test items- It lists the artifacts to be tested.
  • Features to be tested- This section lists all the features and the functionality to be tested. It also contains a reference to the requirements specification document.
  • Features not to be tested- This section lists the features and functionalities that are out of the scope of testing.
  • Approach- The approach for testing contains details of how testing will be done, sources of test data, inputs, and outputs, testing techniques, and priorities.
  • Item pass/ fail criteria- In this section, the success criteria for evaluation of the test results of each functionality in detail will be listed.
  • Suspension criteria and resumption requirements- This section lists the criteria that may result in suspending the testing activities and subsequently also lists the requirements to resume the testing process.
  • Test deliverables- These are the documents that will be delivered by the testing team at the end of the testing process. It may include test cases, sample data, test reports, and issue logs.
  • Testing tasks- This section lists the testing tasks that may include describing dependencies between any tasks, resources required, and completion time for tasks.
  • Environmental needs- This section lists the requirements for the test environment. It includes hardware, software, or any other environmental requirement for testing.
  • Responsibilities- In this section, the roles and responsibilities that are assigned to the testing team are listed.
  • Staffing and training needs- This section describes the training needs of the staff for carrying out the planned testing activities.
  • Schedule- The schedule is created by assigning days and dates to the testing activities.
  • Risks and contingencies- The test plan should contain the mitigation techniques for the identified risks, and should also include the contingencies.
  • Approvals- This section contains the signatures of approvals from all the stakeholders.

10. What do you mean by Quality Assurance(QA)?

Quality assurance is defined as a procedure to ensure whether a software product meets specified requirements or not. It focuses on improving the quality of the software development process and making it efficient and effective as per the quality standards. The five major quality assurance functions are-

  • Technology transfer- This involves getting the product design document as well as trial and error data and its evaluation.
  • Documentation- This function controls the distribution and archiving of the documents. For incorporating any change in the document, a proper change control procedure needs to be adopted.
  • Validation- In this function, the validation master plan for the system, and approval of test criteria for validating the product and process are also set.
  • Assuring quality products- This function aims at checking and assuring the quality of the software product.
  • Quality improvement plans- In this function, quality improvement plans are generated to check whether the software product meets the requirements.

11. Explain the Waterfall and Agile Models.

Software testing comes into the picture at different times in different software development methodologies. The two main software development methodologies are the Waterfall Model and Agile Model.

  • In the Waterfall Model , the requirements are gathered first. Then the next step is to create a specification document that drives the design and development phases. Finally, testing is conducted at the end of the software development life cycle once the complete software system is built.
  • In the Agile Model , testing is conducted in parallel as the software is being built. The developers build a small functionality according to the requirements. The testers test this and acquire customer feedback which drives the further development of the software.

12. What is a User Story?

In software development, the User Story is an informal natural language general explanation of a software feature written from the perspective of the end-user. It is a tool used in Agile software development to capture a description of a software feature from an end-user perspective. Some of the features of the user story are-

  • It describes the type of user, what the user wants, and why.
  • It helps to create a simplified description of a requirement.
  • They are often recorded on index cards, on Post-it notes, or in project management software.
  • User stories may be written by various stakeholders such as clients, users, managers, or development team members.
  • They provide a user-focused framework for daily work.

13. What is a Test Environment?

The test environment comprises hardware and software configuration that allows testing teams to run test cases. It is set up according to the Application Under Test. The test bed may be a mix of the test environment and the test data with which it interacts. It involves setting up various distinct areas like-

  • Setup of Test Server.
  • Test PC Setup.
  • Bug Reporting.

14. What is Cookie Testing?

Cookie testing is a form of software testing where cookies produced in the web browser are examined. A cookie stores user information that can be used to track users’ website navigation and can be used to communicate between different web pages. It is very important to keep a check on the cookies, and how they are written and saved in the system to avoid any security threats. 

15. What is Bottom-up Testing?

Bottom-up Testing it is a type of integration testing that tests the lowest components of a code base first. In these, low-level modules are tested first, and then the high-level modules are tested. The driver is a temporary module that is used to simulate the caller module for a module to be tested, to call the interface procedures of the module to be tested, and to report the results.

16. What is Dynamic Testing?

Dynamic testing is a software testing technique where the dynamic behavior of the code is checked. The purpose of this type of testing is to check and analyze the software behavior with dynamic variables and find the weak areas in the software runtime environment.

  • In this type of testing, the software must be compiled and run. 
  • Giving the input values and checking if the output is as expected by executing specific test cases.

17. What is Risk-Based Testing?

Risk-based testing is a software testing technique that is based on the probability of the risks and involves assessing the risk based on factors like:

  • Software complexity.
  • Criticality of the businesses.
  • Frequency of use.
  • Possible areas of defects.

It uses risks to prioritize the appropriate tests during test execution. It starts early in the software project, identifying the risks to system quality and using the knowledge of risks identified to guide testing planning, specification, preparation, and execution.

18. What is Fuzz Testing?

Fuzz testing or fuzzing is a software testing approach that injects invalid or malformed inputs into the system to reveal software vulnerabilities in an attempt to make it crash. 

  • It is carried out using automated software that generates new test cases and feeds the program inputs.
  • It is used to detect if the program crashes or reveals other vulnerabilities. 

19. What is Test Harness?

Test Harness is a collection of stubs, drivers, and other supporting tools that are required to automate test execution. It allows for the automation of tests.

  • It contains all the information that is required to compile and run a test. For example, test cases, stubs, drivers, Source files under tests, etc.
  • It helps to enhance the quality of the software components and applications.
  • It helps developers to measure code coverage at a code level.

20. What is Concurrency Testing?

Concurrency Testing also known as Multi-user Testing checks the software performance when multiple users are logged into the system and perform actions simultaneously. 

  • It helps to monitor the effect on the system when multiple users are performing the same action at the same time.
  • It helps to monitor the system for deadlocking, locking, and single-threaded code.

21. What is Defect Age?

Defect Age is defined as the time difference between the defect detected date and the current date provided the defect is still in the open state. It is divided into two parameters:

  • Defect Phase: The defect phase is the numerical value that is assigned to a defect occurring at any phase, depending upon the degree of risk involved in the defect.
  • Defect Age Time: Defect age time is a way to determine the difference between the date of defect detection and the time till when the defect is open or has been resolved. 

22. What is Un-Installation Testing?

Uninstallation testing is a type of software testing that is performed to make sure that all the components of the application are removed during the process or not.

23. What is Equivalence Class Partition (ECP)?

Equivalence Class Partitioning is a black-box software testing technique that divides the input data into partitions of equivalent data from which test cases can be derived. 

  • In this approach, test cases are designed to cover each partition at least once. 
  • It divides the input data of software into different equivalence data classes.

24. What is Software Configuration Management?

Software Configuration Management (SCM) is a process to manage, organize, and control the changes in the code, document, and other entities during the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). 

  • It is commonly used in software development groups in which several developers are concurrently working on a common set of files.
  • SCM is designed to avoid the problem of sharing files in a multiuser environment.

25. What is a Test Script?

Test scripts are step-by-step instructions containing information about the system transactions that should be performed to validate the application or system under test. 

  • These are the programs that run tests on the software product/ application. 
  • The tester has to write and run test scripts to validate if the application’s outcome meets the business requirements.

26. What is Test Bed?

Test Bed is a platform for conducting rigorous, transparent, and replicable testing that consists of specific hardware, software, operating system, network configuration, software configuration, etc. 

27. What is Sanity Testing?

Sanity Test also known as Surface Testing is a type of software testing that is performed to make sure that the code changes made are working properly without any bugs.

  • This type of testing is done on the stable build of the software.
  • It is a subset of Regression testing.
  • Sanity testing is usually done after the software product has passed the Smoke test.
  • The focus of this type of testing is to validate the functionality of the application and not detailed testing.

28. What is Test Closure?

Test Closure is a document that provides a summary of all the tests that are covered in the software development lifecycle.

  • It includes various activities like test completion reports, test completion matrix, a summary of test results, etc.
  • The test closure process helps the other team members to get to know about the end of the testing process.
  • It provides a complete report of all the errors discovered and resolved so that the source of the error can be located and resolution can be provided.

29. What is a Stub?

A stub is a small piece of code that is used during Top-down Integration Testing that takes the place of another component during testing. These act as a temporary replacement for the module and give the same output as that of the actual product.

30. What is a Driver?

Test Driver is a small piece of code that is used during Bottom-up Integration Testing that simulates the behavior of the upper-level modules that are not yet integrated. These act as a temporary replacement for the calling module and give the same output as that of the actual product. 

31. What is a Cause-effect Graph?

Cause-effect Graph is a black box testing technique that is used to represent the relationship between a given outcome and all the factors that influence the outcome. It is based on the collection of requirements and used to determine the minimum possible test cases that can cover a minimum test area of the software. The main advantage of this testing technique is that it reduces the test execution time and cost. 

32. What is Test Strategy?

Test Strategy is a document that outlines the testing technique that is used in the Software Development Life Cycle and guides QA teams to define Test Coverage and Testing scope. 

33. What is Test Scenario?

A test Scenario is a detailed document that covers end to end functionality of a software application that can be tested. It is also known as Test Possibility or Test Condition. In this, the testers need to put themselves in the place of the user as they test the software application from the user’s point of view. 

34. What is Code Coverage?

Code Coverage is a software testing metric that is used to determine how much of the code is tested. This helps in assessing the quality of the test suite and analyzing how comprehensively a software is verified. It is one form of white box testing that finds the areas of the program not exercised by a set of test cases.

35. Explain the role of testing in software development.

Testing plays a vital role in software development. The techniques used for software testing differ from one company to another. Below are some of the important roles played by testing in software development-

  • Examine the code for discovering problems and errors early in the system.
  • Testing evaluates the capabilities of the program over the entire product.
  • Testing helps in reviewing requirements and design as well as executing the code.
  • Testing is important in measuring the system functionality and quality of the product.
  • Testing plays a vital role in lowering the maintenance cost of the software product.
  • It helps in providing interaction between developers and users.

36. What is a bug report?

During testing, the tester records all the observations, and other information useful for the developers or the management. This test record is known as a bug report. The bug report helps the team members in the following aspects-

  • Understand the problem.
  • Steps to reproduce the problem.
  • The environment under which the defect or bug happens.
  • The resolution is when the developer fixes the bug.

The few bits of information the bug report should contain are-

  • Defect/  Bug Name- A short headline describing the defect. It should be specific and accurate.
  • Defect/ Bug ID- Unique identification number for the defect.
  • Defect Description- Detailed description of the bug including the information of the module in which it was detected. It contains a detailed summary including the severity, priority, expected results vs actual output, etc.
  • Severity- This describes the impact of the defect on the application under test.
  • Priority- This is related to how urgent it is to fix the defect. Priority can be High/ Medium/ Low based on the impact urgency at which the defect should be fixed.
  • Reported By- Name/ ID of the tester who reported the bug.
  • Reported On- Date when the defect is raised.
  • Steps- These include detailed steps along with screenshots with which the developer can reproduce the same defect.
  • Status- New/ Open/ Active
  • Fixed By- Name/ ID of the developer who fixed the defect.
  • Data Closed- Date when the defect is closed.

37. What is the purpose of risk-based testing?

Risk-based testing involves accessing the risk based on the software complexity, frequency of use, and many other factors.  It prioritizes testing of the functionality and features of the system which are more impactful and are likely to have defects. The purpose of risk-based testing is to

  • Identify risks to system quality.
  • Use the knowledge of risk to guide testing planning, specification, preparation, and execution.
  • It involves both mitigation and contingency. Mitigation here means to test the reduce the

38. What are the different types of testing metrics?

The different Types of Testing Metrics are-

  • Process Metrics- These metrics are essential for the improvement and maintenance of the process in SDLC. These are used to improve the process efficiency of the SDLC.
  • Product Metrics- These define the size, performance, quality, and complexity of the product. It deals with the quality of the software product and thus can help developers to enhance the software product quality.
  • Project Metrics- These define the overall quality of the project. These can be used to measure the efficiency of the project team or any testing tools being used by the team members.

39. What do you mean by Defect Cascading?

Defect Cascading is when one defect leads to the discovery of another defect by software testers. There are several reasons behind defect cascading but one of the main reasons is it occurs because the original defect was not fixed properly.

40. What is Test-Driven Development?

Test-driven development is the software development approach in which test cases are created for each functionality and tested first and if the test fails then a new code is written to pass the test, thus making the code bug-free. It is an iterative approach that involves combining the two processes, the creation of test cases, and refactoring. Some of the benefits of test-driven development are-

  • Cleaner and better design code- TDD helps in better design decisions as it helps to understand how the code will work and how it will interact with other modules. It allows the writing of more maintainable and smaller codes.
  • Early bug detection- Through test cases, developers can test the functionality and if the test fails then a new code can be written. Thus, bug-free code can be achieved since bugs are detected early.
  • Good for developers- Although developers have to spend extra time in writing the test cases eventually it will take a lot less time for debugging and developing the new features.
  • Confidence to Refractor- In the case of code refractors, there are chances of breaks in the code. With the help of a set of automated test cases, a proper warning can be given and breaks can be fixed before release.
  • Extensible code- TDD can result in an extensible code with fewer bugs that can be updated with minimal risks.

41. What is the difference between verification and validation in Testing?

Difference Between Verification and Validation are as Follow:

42. What is the difference between Bug, Defect, Error, Fault, and Failure?

  • Bug – It is a flaw in the software which means that the software is not working as per the requirement. When there is a coding error, it leads to a program breakdown, which is known as a bug.
  • Defect – It occurs when an application is not working as per the requirements. It is the deviation or the difference between the expected output and the actual output.
  • Error- It is a mistake made in the code due to which the code cannot be executed.
  • Fault- It can be termed as a condition that causes the software to fail to perform its required function according to the specification.
  • Failure- It is the inability of the software or system to perform the required function due to the accumulation of several defects that ultimately results in the loss of information in critical modules and thus make the system unresponsive.

43. What do you verify in white-box testing?

The main aim of white-box testing is to verify the following areas in the software-

  • Security loopholes in the source code.
  • Conditions of all the loops and overall functionality of the software.
  • Expected output.
  • Poorly structured paths in the coding processes.
  • Line-by-line verification of the code.
  • The flow of the software structure is mentioned in the software requirement document.

44. What is the Difference Between Functional and Non-functional testing?

Functional and Non-functional Testing are Follow:

45. What is the Difference Between Data-Driven Testing and Re-testing?

Data-Driven Testing and Re-testing are as Follow:

46. Why should developers not test the software that they build?

Some of the reasons why developers should not test their own software are-

  • Unconscious bias- Someone testing a product that they created may raise unintentional bias in the testing process. Software developers lack the objectivity to be able to test their own work. A dedicated tester is a neutral party that can see things in an impartial way and avoids unintentional bias.
  • Regression confusion- The requirements are being considered by a developer as only functionalities and if any of the requirements are misunderstood by the user then there will be a failure in the application. tester on the other hand views requirements from the business point of view so they can accomplish what is required.
  • Weak end-to-end perspective- Developers tend to focus on a single task or functionality that is chosen for the day and they work with a single focus but testers, on the other hand, think broadly about the functionality along with the full perspective of the application. This helps to complete the application earlier.
  • Less experience- The software tester has vast experience in testing various applications and they are aware of the common bugs and tough application logic. Due to a rich knowledge base, the tester is able to find bugs easily and test them whereas the developers have a skill set only for fixing the broken application but not for breaking an application and finding bugs.
  • Less time- For testing, it requires hard work, focus, and most of all dedicated time. If the developer is responsible for testing also, then apart from writing the code which is also a time-consuming process, they have to create strategies and plans, write project documentation, and carry out unit tests. It’s not realistic to assume that they will do their job with so many roles and responsibilities with 100% capacity. For maximum efficiency, and to assure that no quality is lost, coding and testing are two different roles for two different skillset persons.
  • Slows down release time- If the developer is responsible for both writing code and conducting testing, then both jobs cannot be done simultaneously. Coding has to stop for testing to begin and vice versa. This will end up slowing productivity and will eventually affect the release time of the software.
  • QA testers are specially trained- It may be possible that the developer has a skill set required for QA testing the product but this doesn’t mean that they are the best person for this job. QA testers have experience, background, and technical perspectives that are diverse and different from developers.

47. What Qualities should a Software Developer Possess?

The top seven Qualities of the Software Developer are-

  • Technical expertise- A developer must have strong technical expertise so that he/she knows how to achieve an optimal solution for a particular task. Their code will not be clear and understandable but also follow the coding standards.
  • Maintains an end-user focus- An exceptional developer will want to first fully understand the business case for the major projects they undertake. This is to ensure that their actions will not only affect the end-users but ultimately the organization.
  • Ability to learn, grow, and adapt- Continuous improvement is a good practice for both the software and the engineer.
  • Time management- A software developer must be a master at managing their time in order to cram so much action into every single working day.
  • Interpersonal skills- Some of the key interpersonal skills that a software engineer needs are Collaboration skills, Communication skills, Empathy skills, Critical thinking skills, and Leadership skills.
  • Communication skills- A good developer must know how to communicate, clarify, explain, and persuade.
  • Curiosity- Good developers are inquisitive. They tend to ask themselves and their peer a lot of questions while they work.
  • Good team player- A good developer shares their knowledge and believes in upscaling their team. They offer teammates help when they face problems that they cannot solve. 

48. What are the Benefits of Acceptance Testing?

Acceptance testing is based on user requirements and function processing. It is also known as User Acceptance Testing (UAT). It is a process that verifies if a solution is conforming to specified requirements and user requirements or not. It is done by the customer before accepting the final product. Some of the benefits of user acceptance testing are-

  • It increases the satisfaction of the customer as they test the application itself.
  • Reduces the risk of defects being identified in the production.
  • This will help end-users to gain skills and confidence while using the new system prior to going live.
  • It improves the requirement definition document as the client tests the requirement definition according to his needs.
  • The information gathered through acceptance testing is used by the stakeholders to better understand the requirements of the targeted audience.

49. Explain the Bug Life Cycle.

The Bug Life Cycle in software testing is the specific set of states that a bug goes through in its entire life. The purpose here is to easily communicate the current status of defects and make the bug-fixing process easy and efficient. Below lifecycle diagram covers all possible states of the bug lifecycle-

bug-life-cycle

Bug Life Cycle

  • New- When a new defect is detected and posted for the first time then it is assigned a status as “New”.
  • Assigned- Once the bug is posted by the tester, it is approved by the lead of the tester, and the bug is assigned to the developer team. The status is changed to “Assigned”.
  • Open- The developer starts analyzing the bug and works on fixing the bug. The status is changed to “Open”.
  • Fixed- When the developer makes changes in the code to fix the bug and verifies the changes, he or she can make the status of the bug “Fixed”.
  • Pending Retest- Once the defect is fixed, the developer gives the particular code to the tester to retest the code.
  • Retest- The tester retests the code to check whether the defect is fixed or not and changes the status to “Retest”.
  • Reopen- The tester changes the status to “Reopen” if the bug persists even after the developer fixed the bug.
  • Verified- The tester retests the bug after it is fixed by the developer. If there is no bug in the software then the status is changed to “Verified”.
  • Closed- If the bug no longer exists, then the tester assigns the status “Closed”.
  • Rejected- If the developer feels that the defect is not a genuine defect then it changes the defect state to “Rejected”.
  • Deferred- The status of the defect is changed to “Deferred” i f the present bug is not of prime priority and if it is expected to get fixed in the next release.
  • Duplicate- If the bug is repeated twice, the status is changed to “Duplicate”.
  • Not a defect- If the detected bug or defect does not affect the functionality of the application then the status is changed to “Not a defect”.
  • Can’t be fixed- If it is not possible to fix the bug due to one of the following reasons technology not supporting, the cost of fixing is more, then the status is changed to “Can’t be Fixed”.
  • Need more information- If the developer is unable to reproduce the defect as per the steps provided then the status is changed to “Need More Information”. In this case, the tester needs to add detailed steps to reproduce the bug and assign the bug back to the development team for fixing it.
  • Not reproducible- If it is not possible for the developer to reproduce the bug due to one of the following reasons platform mismatch, improper defect document, data mismatch, build mismatch, or inconsistent defect. Then the status is changed to “Not reproducible”.

50. What is the Role of Usability Testing?

Usability testing means determining the ease with which an end-user can easily access the application with or without programming language knowledge. It is also known as User Experience testing which is recommended during the initial design phase of SDLC. It is done to serve the following purpose-

  • To identify the usability errors in the system early in the development cycle.
  • It can help to save products from failure.
  • It minimizes the risk of product failure.
  • Usability testing increases the likelihood of usage and repeat usage.

Software testing is the process of identifying and ensuring that a software product or application is working the way it is supposed to work and it is the job of a software Tester to find any defects that could negatively impact a software’s performance or user experience. If you’re wondering “ How do I prepare for a software tester interview? “, this article will prove to be the perfect place to kickstart your preparation for software testing interviews.

As a software tester, most of the questions you will be asked during an interview will either be technical or operational. Whether you’re a fresher, intermediate or experienced candidate , this article includes an excellent list of important software testing interview questions , along with their answers to help you prepare before the interview and boost your chances of landing that job.

Software Testing Interview Questions- FAQs

Q1. what are the most common software testing interview questions.

Some of the most common software testing interview questions include: What are the different types of software testing? What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing? What is a test case? How do you write a test case? What is the software testing life cycle? What are the different levels of testing? What are the different types of defects? How do you report a defect? What are the different software testing tools? What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software tester?

Q2. How do I clear my software testing interview?

Here are some tips for clearing a software testing interview: Practice answering common software testing interview questions. Learn about the different types of software testing and the software testing life cycle. Be familiar with the different software testing tools. Highlight your strengths and weaknesses as a software tester. Be confident and enthusiastic during the interview.

Q3. What questions are asked in a behavioral interview for a tester?

Some of the behavioral questions that you might be asked in a software testing interview include: Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure. How do you handle conflict? How do you work as part of a team? What is your approach to problem-solving? What are your goals for your career?

Q4. How can I improve my chances of getting a software testing job?

Here are some tips on how to improve your chances of getting a software testing job: Get certified in software testing. Gain experience in software testing by volunteering or working on open source projects. Build a portfolio of your software testing work. Network with other software testers. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends in software testing.

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10 Tester Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various tester interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

Tester Resume Example

Common Tester Interview Questions

What made you decide to become a tester, what do you think are the key skills for a successful tester, what do you think sets testing apart from other areas of software development, what do you think is the most important thing that a tester can do to ensure quality software products, what do you think is the most challenging thing about testing, what do you think is the best thing about testing, what do you think testers should keep in mind when testing software products, what do you think is the most important attribute of a successful tester, what do you think are the benefits of being a tester, what do you think are the key challenges involved in testing software products.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a tester. Some people are drawn to the challenge of finding defects in complex systems. Others enjoy the satisfaction of helping to improve the quality of products.

In any case, it is important for the interviewer to understand the motivations of the person they are interviewing, as this can give insights into their work ethic and how they approach their job. For instance, someone who is driven by a desire to find and fix defects is likely to be very detail-oriented and methodical in their work. On the other hand, someone who became a tester because they enjoy working with new technologies may be more open to trying new testing approaches and tools.

Example: “ There are many reasons why someone might choose to become a tester. Some people enjoy finding and solving problems, while others like the challenge of working with new technologies. Some testers are attracted to the flexible work hours and schedules that testing often allows, while others appreciate the opportunity to travel and work onsite with clients. Whatever the reason, becoming a tester can be a rewarding and challenging career choice. ”

There are a few key reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the tester's understanding of what is required for the role. Second, it allows the interviewer to see how the tester's own skills align with those required for success. Finally, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to probe deeper into the tester's thought process and problem-solving abilities. By asking this question, the interviewer is able to get a better sense of whether the tester is a good fit for the role and the company.

Example: “ There are many key skills that are important for a successful tester, but some of the most important ones include: - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: A successful tester needs to be able to understand complex systems and identify problems and issues. - Attention to detail: A successful tester needs to be able to spot even the smallest of details that could potentially indicate a problem. - Good communication skills: A successful tester needs to be able to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical and non-technical staff. - Flexibility: A successful tester needs to be flexible in order to adapt to changing requirements and deadlines. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. One reason is to gauge the tester's understanding of the role of testing in software development. Testing is a critical part of the software development process, and it is important for testers to have a good understanding of its importance. Additionally, this question can help the interviewer understand the tester's thoughts on the differences between testing and other areas of software development. This question can also help the interviewer assess the tester's ability to think critically about the software development process.

Example: “ Testing is a process of verifying the functionality of a software application against the requirements. It helps to identify the bugs or errors in the application so that they can be fixed before the product is delivered to the customer. Testing is essential to ensure that the software application meets the quality standards set by the organization. There are various types of testing such as functional testing, regression testing, load testing, stress testing, etc. Each type of testing has its own importance and purpose. Functional testing verifies the functionality of the software application while regression testing checks for any regressions or bugs after changes have been made to the code. Load testing checks the performance of the application under different load conditions while stress testing checks the stability of the application under extreme conditions. Testing is a critical part of software development and it should not be overlooked. A good quality assurance team will help to ensure that the software application meets all the necessary requirements and standards. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. Firstly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the tester's understanding of the role of a tester in ensuring quality software products. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to assess the tester's prioritization skills, as well as their ability to think critically about the testing process. Finally, this question can also help the interviewer determine if the tester is familiar with best practices in testing and quality assurance.

Example: “ There are many important things that a tester can do to ensure quality software products, but some of the most important include: 1. Thoroughly test the software to ensure that all functionality works as expected and that there are no errors or bugs. 2. Write clear and concise test reports detailing any errors or issues found during testing, and provide recommendations for how to fix them. 3. Work closely with the development team to ensure that any issues found during testing are addressed and resolved in a timely manner. 4. Keep up-to-date on new testing techniques and tools, and be willing to experiment with new approaches to testing. 5. Continuously strive to improve one's own testing skills and knowledge. ”

There are many potential challenges that a tester may face when testing software. Some of these challenges include:

- Determining what needs to be tested

- designing effective tests

- executing tests

- analyzing results

- reporting results

Each of these challenges can be difficult in its own right, and the most challenging thing about testing may vary from one tester to the next. However, understanding the challenges that testers face can help to improve the testing process overall.

Example: “ There are many challenges that testers face when testing software, but I think the most challenging thing is finding the right balance of coverage. Too much coverage and you're wasting time testing things that aren't important; too little coverage and you're missing bugs that could cause serious problems. Finding the right balance is essential to effective testing. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the tester's level of experience and knowledge. Second, it provides insight into the tester's personal views on testing. Finally, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to probe further into the tester's testing philosophy.

Asking a tester what they believe is the best thing about testing allows the interviewer to understand more about how the tester views their role in quality assurance. It also gives the interviewer an opportunity to identify any areas of disagreement between the tester and the company's testing philosophy. Ultimately, this question can help the interviewer determine if the tester is a good fit for the organization.

Example: “ There are many things that testers find great about their job, but some of the most common reasons include: -Being able to play a role in improving the quality of products before they are released to customers -Finding and reporting bugs that could potentially cause major problems for users -Working with a team of other testers to ensure that products are thoroughly tested -Using their creativity and problem-solving skills to come up with new ways to test products -The satisfaction of knowing that they are helping to make products better for everyone. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. Firstly, it allows the interviewer to gauge the tester's understanding of the testing process and what factors are important to consider when testing software products. Secondly, it allows the interviewer to see how the tester views the role of testers within the software development process. And finally, it gives the interviewer some insight into the tester's personal testing philosophies and methods.

Generally speaking, it is important for testers to keep a few key things in mind when testing software products. Firstly, testers should always aim to test for quality, rather than for quantity. This means that testers should focus on finding critical bugs and errors, rather than trying to test every single possible aspect of the software. Secondly, testers should always be aware of the potential for human error. This means that they should design their tests in such a way that minimizes the chances of false positives or false negatives. And finally, testers should always strive to be as objective as possible when conducting their tests. This means that they should avoid any personal biases or preconceptions that could distort their results.

Example: “ There are a few key things that testers should keep in mind when testing software products: 1. First and foremost, testers should always keep the end user in mind. It is important to think about how the software will be used in the real world and what sort of issues users might encounter. 2. Testers should also have a good understanding of the business domain that the software is being used in. This will help them to identify potential problems that users might encounter. 3. Another important consideration for testers is to think about how changes to the software might impact users. For example, if a new feature is added or an existing feature is changed, how will this affect users? Will they be able to use the software in the same way as before? 4. Finally, it is also important for testers to be aware of any technical limitations that might impact their testing. For example, if the software is not compatible with certain browsers or operating systems, this could limit the scope of testing that can be done. ”

There are many important attributes of a successful tester, but one of the most important is attention to detail. Testers need to be able to carefully examine software to look for errors or potential problems. They also need to be able to document their findings clearly and concisely so that developers can understand and fix the issues.

attention to detail is important because it allows testers to find as many errors and potential problems as possible. If a tester overlooks a small detail, it could result in a serious issue going unnoticed and causing problems for users down the line. clear and concise documentation is also important because it allows developers to quickly understand the problem and fix it without wasting time.

Example: “ A successful tester must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills in order to identify software defects and determine their root cause. They must also be able to effectively communicate with developers and other stakeholders to ensure that defects are properly addressed. Furthermore, a successful tester must be able to adapt to changing requirements and schedules, as well as maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. ”

There are a few reasons why an interviewer might ask this question to a tester. One reason is to gauge the tester's understanding of the role of a tester. A good tester should be able to list a few key benefits of the role, such as being able to find bugs before users do, and helping to ensure that software is of high quality.

Another reason why an interviewer might ask this question is to see if the tester is passionate about the role. A tester who is enthusiastic about their job is more likely to be successful in the role than one who is not.

Finally, the interviewer might use this question as a way to gauge the tester's motivation. A tester who is motivated by the benefits of the role (such as finding bugs and helping to improve software quality) is more likely to be successful in the role than one who is not.

Example: “ There are many benefits to being a tester, but some of the most notable ones include: 1. Testers get to work with cutting-edge technologies and products. 2. Testers get to work on a variety of projects, which can be very exciting and rewarding. 3. Testers have the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, which can be very beneficial in their career development. 4. Testers get to work closely with other members of the development team, which can be a great way to build strong working relationships. 5. Testers get to play an important role in ensuring the quality of the products they work on, which can be very satisfying. ”

There are a few key challenges involved in testing software products:

1. Ensuring that the software meets all the functional requirements specified by the client. This includes testing for both positive and negative scenarios.

2. Conducting compatibility testing to ensure that the software works well with other software applications and hardware devices that it may need to interact with.

3. Checking for performance issues and ensuring that the software runs smoothly without any errors or lags.

4. Security testing is also essential to ensure that the software is safe from any potential threats or vulnerabilities.

5. Finally, it is also important to carry out regression testing after any changes or updates have been made to the software to ensure that all the previous functionality still works as expected.

Example: “ There are many key challenges involved in testing software products. Some of the most important challenges include: 1. Ensuring that the software meets all functional requirements. This includes ensuring that the software performs all required tasks correctly and efficiently. 2. Ensuring that the software is compatible with all hardware and software platforms it is designed to work with. This includes ensuring that the software can be installed and run on all intended platforms without any errors. 3. Ensuring that the software is free of bugs and errors. This includes identifying and resolving any defects in the software before it is released to customers. 4. Ensuring that the software is easy to use and user-friendly. This includes designing user-friendly interfaces and making sure that the software is easy to navigate and use. ”

Related Interview Questions

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Top 30 Java Interview Questions for Testers

Vartika Rai

A career in Java testing is sure to be a rewarding one if you’re working for a FAANG+ company. As a Java tester, your primary role is to test Java/J2EE applications during the development cycle. Java interview questions for testers mostly revolve around programming theory and coding. As testers are also involved with the overall performance of applications, Java testing interview questions around systems design also feature in technical interviews.

In this piece, we’ll look at some popular Java interview questions for testers. We’ll first look at some Java interview questions and answers for experienced testers, followed by general programming- and design-related questions.

If you’re a software engineer, coding engineer, software developer, engineering manager, or tech lead preparing for tech interviews, check out our technical interview checklist, interview questions page, and salary negotiation e-book to get interview-ready!

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Let’s go ahead and look at some Java interview questions and answers for experienced testers, along with popular sample Java interview questions for testers. These questions will help you form a concrete idea of the type of questions asked in technical interviews at FAANG+ companies.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

Popular Java Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced Testers

Java coding interview questions for testers, java systems design interview questions for testers, faqs on java interview questions for testers.

In this section, we’ll look at some popular Java interview questions and answers for experienced testers.

Q1. What OOPs concepts are important while performing manual testing of Java applications?

This is one of the most common Java interview questions for testers. OOPs is an important programming paradigm that is applicable to testing applications in JavaScript and J2EE. The important OOPs concepts applicable in testing include - Abstraction, Encapsulation, Polymorphism, Inheritance, Method Overriding, Method Overloading, and Data Binding.

Important OOP concepts for Testers

Q2. What are some tools used in testing applications built using Java frameworks?

Some popular Java testing tools used to test applications coded in the language include:

Tools used in testing applications

Q3. What are some advantages of employing Java test automation frameworks?

This is one of the most popular Java interview questions for testers. The main advantages of using Java test automation frameworks include:

  • Test automation frameworks help to carry out the testing process seamlessly by improving speed and accuracy
  • Automation testing allows for code reusability, a core feature necessary while testing J2EE applications.
  • Test reports can be retrieved automatically after test cases are executed.

Q4. Which are the different types of test automation frameworks for testing applications?

This is a common Java interview question for testers asked in technical interviews. The main types of test automation frameworks for testing applications coded in Java are:

  • Keyword-Driven Testing Frameworks
  • Hybrid Testing Frameworks
  • Data-Driven Testing Frameworks
  • Modular Testing Frameworks

4 types of test automation frameworks for testing applications coded in Java

Q5. What type of test cases are mostly required to be automated?

This is one of the most popular Java interview questions for testers. Test cases that require to be automated include:

  • Sanity Test Cases
  • Smoke Test Cases
  • Regression Test Cases

Java interview questions for testers include questions in coding concepts, mostly those pertaining to core data structures and algorithms. Coding is an important part of testing interviews. The main topics that feature in Java interview questions for testers at coding interviews:

  • Arrays, strings, and linked lists
  • Sorting algorithms — quicksort , merge sort , heap sort , etc.
  • Hash tables and queues
  • Trees and graphs
  • Graph algorithms, including greedy algorithms
  • Dynamic programming

Let’s go ahead and look at some popular Java interview questions for testers in coding:

  • For a given array of size N, write a code to print the reverse of the array
  • For a given array A, write a code to delete the duplicate elements in the array
  • For a given array Arr[] containing integer elements, write a code to find the minimum and maximum elements of the array
  • For a given array of size N containing distinct integer numbers, write a code to sort the array in the wave fashion
  • From a given array containing integer values, write a code to find the maximum subarray of non-negative numbers
  • For a given String S, write a program to remove duplicate elements from the String
  • For a given String S, write a code to find the minimum number of elements or characters that need to be inserted to convert it into a palindrome
  • For a given String S, write a program to find the length of the longest Substring with distinct values
  • For a given String S, write a code to remove successive duplicate characters recursively
  • For two strings, A and B, write a program to figure out if B can be obtained by rotating A in at least two places
  • Write a code to add two numbers represented by Linked Lists
  • Write a function to remove the nth node from a Linked List
  • Write a program to swap adjacent nodes in a Linked List
  • Write a code to reverse a Linked List from position X to position Y
  • For a given Linked List, write a code to return the node value where the cycle in question begins
  • For a given binary tree, write a function to connect nodes that are at the same level
  • For a given binary tree T, write a function to find its spiral order traversal
  • For a given binary tree, write a program that traces its vertical traversal
  • For a given binary tree T, write a code to print the bottom view of the tree from left to right
  • You're given the root of a binary tree T. Write a program to find out of it is a Binary Search Tree or not

Systems design is an important part of testing interviews. Java interview questions for testers consist of questions in distributed systems design, mostly asked at on-site interviews.

Let’s go ahead and look at some popular Java interview questions for testers in distributed systems design.

Before that, here are the essential topics to prepare for the design interview:

  • Basics of Systems Design
  • Storage and retrieval
  • MapReduce and distributed file systems
  • Concurrency
  • Basics of API modeling
  • Network protocols
  • Scalable systems and scaling applications
  • Replication
  • Sharding techniques
  • Measuring the performance of scalable systems

Below are some sample Java interview questions for testers in distributed systems design.

  • How would you design a file-sharing service like Dropbox?
  • What is your approach to designing a cloud communications system?
  • How would you design a chatbot service?
  • How would you ensure that your system is secure to end-users?
  • How would you design a system like Instagram?
  • What factors would you account for while designing an e-commerce system?
  • What is your approach to designing a cab-hailing service?

Practicing such Java interview questions for testers is key to preparing for and cracking your next Java Testing interview. Include these questions in your prep, and you will surely see results. All the best!

Q1. What is the interview process in general for Java testers are FAANG+ companies?

The interview process for Java testers involves a Technical Phone Screen Round and an On-site interview round comprising coding and design rounds.

Q2. What type of Java interview questions for testers are asked in coding interviews?

Java interview questions for testers are mostly around programming theory, automation frameworks, testing test cases, testing tools, coding, problem-solving, and distributed systems design.

Q3. Which are the two fundamental ways to carry out application testing using Java?

The two most common ways to carry out application testing are Functional Testing and Non-Functional Testing.

Q4. Are behavioral interview questions part of Java interview questions for testers at FAANG+ interviews?

Behavioral questions are an essential part of interviews for testers. You can expect behavioral interview questions during on-site interviews. Questions are primarily around leadership, cooperation, integrity, ethics, and work-life balance.

Q5. Which are the important coding concepts to prepare for testing interviews?

Java interview questions for testers consist of problems in coding. Your problem-solving is fundamentally tested through your ability to solve problems around core data structures and algorithms. The important coding concepts include - Arrays, Strings, Linked Lists, Recursion, Hash Tables, Dynamic Programming, Trees, Graphs, and Greedy Algorithms.

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problem solving questions for testers

Good problem solving skills are fundamentally important if you're going to be successful in your career.

But problems are something that we don't particularly like.

They're time-consuming.

They muscle their way into already packed schedules.

They force us to think about an uncertain future.

And they never seem to go away!

That's why, when faced with problems, most of us try to eliminate them as quickly as possible. But have you ever chosen the easiest or most obvious solution – and then realized that you have entirely missed a much better solution? Or have you found yourself fixing just the symptoms of a problem, only for the situation to get much worse?

To be an effective problem-solver, you need to be systematic and logical in your approach. This quiz helps you assess your current approach to problem solving. By improving this, you'll make better overall decisions. And as you increase your confidence with solving problems, you'll be less likely to rush to the first solution – which may not necessarily be the best one.

Once you've completed the quiz, we'll direct you to tools and resources that can help you make the most of your problem-solving skills.

How Good Are You at Solving Problems?

Instructions.

For each statement, click the button in the column that best describes you. Please answer questions as you actually are (rather than how you think you should be), and don't worry if some questions seem to score in the 'wrong direction'. When you are finished, please click the 'Calculate My Total' button at the bottom of the test.

Answering these questions should have helped you recognize the key steps associated with effective problem solving.

This quiz is based on Dr Min Basadur's Simplexity Thinking problem-solving model. This eight-step process follows the circular pattern shown below, within which current problems are solved and new problems are identified on an ongoing basis. This assessment has not been validated and is intended for illustrative purposes only.

Below, we outline the tools and strategies you can use for each stage of the problem-solving process. Enjoy exploring these stages!

Step 1: Find the Problem (Questions 7, 12)

Some problems are very obvious, however others are not so easily identified. As part of an effective problem-solving process, you need to look actively for problems – even when things seem to be running fine. Proactive problem solving helps you avoid emergencies and allows you to be calm and in control when issues arise.

These techniques can help you do this:

PEST Analysis helps you pick up changes to your environment that you should be paying attention to. Make sure too that you're watching changes in customer needs and market dynamics, and that you're monitoring trends that are relevant to your industry.

Risk Analysis helps you identify significant business risks.

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis helps you identify possible points of failure in your business process, so that you can fix these before problems arise.

After Action Reviews help you scan recent performance to identify things that can be done better in the future.

Where you have several problems to solve, our articles on Prioritization and Pareto Analysis help you think about which ones you should focus on first.

Step 2: Find the Facts (Questions 10, 14)

After identifying a potential problem, you need information. What factors contribute to the problem? Who is involved with it? What solutions have been tried before? What do others think about the problem?

If you move forward to find a solution too quickly, you risk relying on imperfect information that's based on assumptions and limited perspectives, so make sure that you research the problem thoroughly.

Step 3: Define the Problem (Questions 3, 9)

Now that you understand the problem, define it clearly and completely. Writing a clear problem definition forces you to establish specific boundaries for the problem. This keeps the scope from growing too large, and it helps you stay focused on the main issues.

A great tool to use at this stage is CATWOE . With this process, you analyze potential problems by looking at them from six perspectives, those of its Customers; Actors (people within the organization); the Transformation, or business process; the World-view, or top-down view of what's going on; the Owner; and the wider organizational Environment. By looking at a situation from these perspectives, you can open your mind and come to a much sharper and more comprehensive definition of the problem.

Cause and Effect Analysis is another good tool to use here, as it helps you think about the many different factors that can contribute to a problem. This helps you separate the symptoms of a problem from its fundamental causes.

Step 4: Find Ideas (Questions 4, 13)

With a clear problem definition, start generating ideas for a solution. The key here is to be flexible in the way you approach a problem. You want to be able to see it from as many perspectives as possible. Looking for patterns or common elements in different parts of the problem can sometimes help. You can also use metaphors and analogies to help analyze the problem, discover similarities to other issues, and think of solutions based on those similarities.

Traditional brainstorming and reverse brainstorming are very useful here. By taking the time to generate a range of creative solutions to the problem, you'll significantly increase the likelihood that you'll find the best possible solution, not just a semi-adequate one. Where appropriate, involve people with different viewpoints to expand the volume of ideas generated.

Tip: Don't evaluate your ideas until step 5. If you do, this will limit your creativity at too early a stage.

Step 5: Select and Evaluate (Questions 6, 15)

After finding ideas, you'll have many options that must be evaluated. It's tempting at this stage to charge in and start discarding ideas immediately. However, if you do this without first determining the criteria for a good solution, you risk rejecting an alternative that has real potential.

Decide what elements are needed for a realistic and practical solution, and think about the criteria you'll use to choose between potential solutions.

Paired Comparison Analysis , Decision Matrix Analysis and Risk Analysis are useful techniques here, as are many of the specialist resources available within our Decision-Making section . Enjoy exploring these!

Step 6: Plan (Questions 1, 16)

You might think that choosing a solution is the end of a problem-solving process. In fact, it's simply the start of the next phase in problem solving: implementation. This involves lots of planning and preparation. If you haven't already developed a full Risk Analysis in the evaluation phase, do so now. It's important to know what to be prepared for as you begin to roll out your proposed solution.

The type of planning that you need to do depends on the size of the implementation project that you need to set up. For small projects, all you'll often need are Action Plans that outline who will do what, when, and how. Larger projects need more sophisticated approaches – you'll find out more about these in the article What is Project Management? And for projects that affect many other people, you'll need to think about Change Management as well.

Here, it can be useful to conduct an Impact Analysis to help you identify potential resistance as well as alert you to problems you may not have anticipated. Force Field Analysis will also help you uncover the various pressures for and against your proposed solution. Once you've done the detailed planning, it can also be useful at this stage to make a final Go/No-Go Decision , making sure that it's actually worth going ahead with the selected option.

Step 7: Sell the Idea (Questions 5, 8)

As part of the planning process, you must convince other stakeholders that your solution is the best one. You'll likely meet with resistance, so before you try to “sell” your idea, make sure you've considered all the consequences.

As you begin communicating your plan, listen to what people say, and make changes as necessary. The better the overall solution meets everyone's needs, the greater its positive impact will be! For more tips on selling your idea, read our article on Creating a Value Proposition and use our Sell Your Idea Skillbook.

Step 8: Act (Questions 2, 11)

Finally, once you've convinced your key stakeholders that your proposed solution is worth running with, you can move on to the implementation stage. This is the exciting and rewarding part of problem solving, which makes the whole process seem worthwhile.

This action stage is an end, but it's also a beginning: once you've completed your implementation, it's time to move into the next cycle of problem solving by returning to the scanning stage. By doing this, you'll continue improving your organization as you move into the future.

Problem solving is an exceptionally important workplace skill.

Being a competent and confident problem solver will create many opportunities for you. By using a well-developed model like Simplexity Thinking for solving problems, you can approach the process systematically, and be comfortable that the decisions you make are solid.

Given the unpredictable nature of problems, it's very reassuring to know that, by following a structured plan, you've done everything you can to resolve the problem to the best of your ability.

This assessment has not been validated and is intended for illustrative purposes only. It is just one of many Mind Tool quizzes that can help you to evaluate your abilities in a wide range of important career skills.

If you want to reproduce this quiz, you can purchase downloadable copies in our Store .

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problem solving questions for testers

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How Good Is Your Problem Solving?

How Good Is Your Problem Solving?

© iStockphoto Entienou

Use a systematic approach.

Good problem solving skills are fundamentally important if you're going to be successful in your career.

But problems are something that we don't particularly like.

They're time-consuming.

They muscle their way into already packed schedules.

They force us to think about an uncertain future.

And they never seem to go away!

That's why, when faced with problems, most of us try to eliminate them as quickly as possible. But have you ever chosen the easiest or most obvious solution – and then realized that you have entirely missed a much better solution? Or have you found yourself fixing just the symptoms of a problem, only for the situation to get much worse?

To be an effective problem-solver, you need to be systematic and logical in your approach. This quiz helps you assess your current approach to problem solving. By improving this, you'll make better overall decisions. And as you increase your confidence with solving problems, you'll be less likely to rush to the first solution – which may not necessarily be the best one.

Once you've completed the quiz, we'll direct you to tools and resources that can help you make the most of your problem-solving skills.

How Good Are You at Solving Problems?

Instructions.

For each statement, click the button in the column that best describes you. Please answer questions as you actually are (rather than how you think you should be), and don't worry if some questions seem to score in the 'wrong direction'. When you are finished, please click the 'Calculate My Total' button at the bottom of the test.

Your last quiz results are shown.

You last completed this quiz on , at .

Score Interpretation

Answering these questions should have helped you recognize the key steps associated with effective problem solving.

This quiz is based on Dr Min Basadur's Simplexity Thinking    problem-solving model. This eight-step process follows the circular pattern shown below, within which current problems are solved and new problems are identified on an ongoing basis. This assessment has not been validated and is intended for illustrative purposes only. 

Figure 1 – The Simplexity Thinking Process

Reproduced with permission from Dr Min Basadur from "The Power of Innovation: How to Make Innovation a Part of Life & How to Put Creative Solutions to Work" Copyright ©1995

Simplex Process Diagram

Below, we outline the tools and strategies you can use for each stage of the problem-solving process. Enjoy exploring these stages!

Step 1: Find the Problem

(Questions 7, 12)

Some problems are very obvious, however others are not so easily identified. As part of an effective problem-solving process, you need to look actively for problems – even when things seem to be running fine. Proactive problem solving helps you avoid emergencies and allows you to be calm and in control when issues arise.

These techniques can help you do this:

  • PEST Analysis   helps you pick up changes to your environment that you should be paying attention to. Make sure too that you're watching changes in customer needs and market dynamics, and that you're monitoring trends that are relevant to your industry.
  • Risk Analysis   helps you identify significant business risks.
  • Failure Modes and Effects Analysis   helps you identify possible points of failure in your business process, so that you can fix these before problems arise.
  • After Action Reviews   help you scan recent performance to identify things that can be done better in the future.
  • Where you have several problems to solve, our articles on Prioritization   and Pareto Analysis   help you think about which ones you should focus on first.

Step 2: Find the Facts

(Questions 10, 14)

After identifying a potential problem, you need information. What factors contribute to the problem? Who is involved with it? What solutions have been tried before? What do others think about the problem?

If you move forward to find a solution too quickly, you risk relying on imperfect information that's based on assumptions and limited perspectives, so make sure that you research the problem thoroughly.

Step 3: Define the Problem

(Questions 3, 9)

Now that you understand the problem, define it clearly and completely. Writing a clear problem definition forces you to establish specific boundaries for the problem. This keeps the scope from growing too large, and it helps you stay focused on the main issues.

A great tool to use at this stage is CATWOE   . With this process, you analyze potential problems by looking at them from six perspectives, those of its Customers; Actors (people within the organization); the Transformation, or business process; the World-view, or top-down view of what's going on; the Owner; and the wider organizational Environment. By looking at a situation from these perspectives, you can open your mind and come to a much sharper and more comprehensive definition of the problem.

Cause and Effect Analysis   is another good tool to use here, as it helps you think about the many different factors that can contribute to a problem. This helps you separate the symptoms of a problem from its fundamental causes.

Step 4: Find Ideas

(Questions 4, 13)

With a clear problem definition, start generating ideas for a solution. The key here is to be flexible in the way you approach a problem. You want to be able to see it from as many perspectives as possible. Looking for patterns or common elements in different parts of the problem can sometimes help. You can also use metaphors   and analogies to help analyze the problem, discover similarities to other issues, and think of solutions based on those similarities.

Traditional brainstorming   and reverse brainstorming   are very useful here. By taking the time to generate a range of creative solutions to the problem, you'll significantly increase the likelihood that you'll find the best possible solution, not just a semi-adequate one. Where appropriate, involve people with different viewpoints to expand the volume of ideas generated.

Don't evaluate your ideas until step 5. If you do, this will limit your creativity at too early a stage.

Step 5: Select and Evaluate

(Questions 6, 15)

After finding ideas, you'll have many options that must be evaluated. It's tempting at this stage to charge in and start discarding ideas immediately. However, if you do this without first determining the criteria for a good solution, you risk rejecting an alternative that has real potential.

Decide what elements are needed for a realistic and practical solution, and think about the criteria you'll use to choose between potential solutions.

Paired Comparison Analysis   , Decision Matrix Analysis   and Risk Analysis   are useful techniques here, as are many of the specialist resources available within our Decision-Making section . Enjoy exploring these!

Step 6: Plan

(Questions 1, 16)

You might think that choosing a solution is the end of a problem-solving process. In fact, it's simply the start of the next phase in problem solving: implementation. This involves lots of planning and preparation. If you haven't already developed a full Risk Analysis   in the evaluation phase, do so now. It's important to know what to be prepared for as you begin to roll out your proposed solution.

The type of planning that you need to do depends on the size of the implementation project that you need to set up. For small projects, all you'll often need are Action Plans   that outline who will do what, when, and how. Larger projects need more sophisticated approaches – you'll find out more about these in the Mind Tools Project Management section. And for projects that affect many other people, you'll need to think about Change Management   as well.

Here, it can be useful to conduct an Impact Analysis   to help you identify potential resistance as well as alert you to problems you may not have anticipated. Force Field Analysis   will also help you uncover the various pressures for and against your proposed solution. Once you've done the detailed planning, it can also be useful at this stage to make a final Go/No-Go Decision   , making sure that it's actually worth going ahead with the selected option.

Step 7: Sell the Idea

(Questions 5, 8)

As part of the planning process, you must convince other stakeholders that your solution is the best one. You'll likely meet with resistance, so before you try to “sell” your idea, make sure you've considered all the consequences.

As you begin communicating your plan, listen to what people say, and make changes as necessary. The better the overall solution meets everyone's needs, the greater its positive impact will be! For more tips on selling your idea, read our article on Creating a Value Proposition   and use our Sell Your Idea   Bite-Sized Training session.

Step 8: Act

(Questions 2, 11)

Finally, once you've convinced your key stakeholders that your proposed solution is worth running with, you can move on to the implementation stage. This is the exciting and rewarding part of problem solving, which makes the whole process seem worthwhile.

This action stage is an end, but it's also a beginning: once you've completed your implementation, it's time to move into the next cycle of problem solving by returning to the scanning stage. By doing this, you'll continue improving your organization as you move into the future.

Problem solving is an exceptionally important workplace skill.

Being a competent and confident problem solver will create many opportunities for you. By using a well-developed model like Simplexity Thinking for solving problems, you can approach the process systematically, and be comfortable that the decisions you make are solid.

Given the unpredictable nature of problems, it's very reassuring to know that, by following a structured plan, you've done everything you can to resolve the problem to the best of your ability.

This site teaches you the skills you need for a happy and successful career; and this is just one of many tools and resources that you'll find here at Mind Tools. Subscribe to our free newsletter , or join the Mind Tools Club and really supercharge your career!

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problem solving questions for testers

Comments (220)

  • Over a month ago Sonia_H wrote Hi PANGGA, This is great news! Thanks for sharing your experience. We hope these 8 steps outlined will help you in multiple ways. ~Sonia Mind Tools Coach
  • Over a month ago PANGGA wrote Thank you for this mind tool. I got to know my skills in solving problem. It will serve as my guide on facing and solving problem that I might encounter.
  • Over a month ago Sarah_H wrote Wow, thanks for your very detailed feedback HardipG. The Mind Tools team will take a look at your feedback and suggestions for improvement. Best wishes, Sarah Mind Tools Coach

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Problem solving test: Pre-employment screening assessment to hire the best candidates

Summary of the problem solving test.

This Problem Solving test evaluates candidates’ ability to define problems and analyze data and textual information to make correct decisions. This test helps you identify candidates who use analytical skills to evaluate and respond to complex situations.

Covered skills

Creating and adjusting schedules, interpreting data and applying logic to make decisions, prioritizing and applying order based on a given set of rules, analyzing textual and numerical information to draw conclusions, use the problem solving test to hire.

Any role that involves managing constantly shifting variables with tight deadlines. This may include administrative assistants, project managers, planners, and people working in hospitality or sales.

You can use this test for free when you sign up for a free plan

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About the Problem Solving test

Effective problem-solving requires a broad skill set that enables individuals, teams, and businesses to advance towards stated objectives. It involves the ability to define a problem, to break it down into manageable parts, to develop approaches to solve the (sub)problem using creativity and analytical thinking, and to execute flawlessly.

This problem solving test allows you to identify candidates who display these abilities. The test presents candidates with typical problem-solving scenarios like scheduling on the basis of a diverse set of conditions, identifying the right sequence of actions based on a number of business rules, and drawing conclusions based on textual and numerical information.

The test requires candidates to identify the right answers to the questions in a limited amount of time. Successful candidates can quickly identify the key elements of the problem and work through the problem at speed without making mistakes. This is a great test to include to check candidates' overall analytical skills.

problem solving questions for testers

The test is made by a subject-matter expert

The global IT industry has benefited from Anirban’s talents for over two decades. With a flawless reputation that precedes him, Anirban has earned a status as a sought-after agile project manager and consultant. He’s worked internationally as a Senior Project Manager with companies such as Ericsson, IBM, and T-Mobile.

Anirban’s love for learning helps him keep his skills sharp. He holds an MBA and a degree in engineering, is a certified Scrum Master, and has certifications in Prince2 and ITIL.

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Problem-solving test

Why problem-solving is a crucial skill

We’ve all been thrown a curveball at work. An unexpected problem crops up and we need to make a plan to solve it. This is called problem-solving and it’s an important skill in most job roles because employees will encounter difficult or complex situations or problems that need to be solved.

Interestingly, unlike some career skills, problem-solving translates to both an individual’s personal and professional lives, making it crucial to potential success. But this may make it harder for recruiters to find the right candidate for a job where problem-solving skills are needed. In this case, a problem-solving test can help you find the best candidate capable of handling situations that influence business functions.

Problem-solving in the workplace

In business, problem-solving relies on a candidate’s ability to create processes that mitigate or remove obstacles that prevent the company from achieving its goals. Consequently, these issues or situations can create a gap between desired outcomes and actual results. This means that problem-solving plays an important role in how employees meet this challenge and work through it.

Roles such as project management, administrative assistance, and planning work with changing circumstances and tight deadlines on a day-to-day basis. When recruiting for these roles, finding candidates who have good problem-solving skills is crucial to their success in the role.

To gain insight into a candidate’s skill in this area, you can use a problem-solving test. Through expert formulation, a skill-specific test can help you understand a candidate’s level of proficiency. And testing your applicants before you start the interview process can highlight the candidates with the skills most relevant to the role.

Problem-solving test

A process-driven skill

In the workplace, there are important steps that can contribute to a candidate’s ability to successfully solve problems. Let’s take a look:

Identify the problem

Problem-solving begins with accurately identifying the problem. This determining factor looks at whether a candidate can find the origin and the implications of the problem. It includes:

• Differentiating between fact and opinion

• Compiling data to determine the problem

• Identifying underlying causes

• Recognizing which processes are affected• Pinpointing the process standard

By accurately identifying the problem, individuals can proceed to the next step to solve the problem.

Determine alternative solutions

Once an individual has established the source of the problem, they can determine alternative solutions. The goal of plotting solutions to the problem is to remedy it and realign it with business goals. A creative problem-solving test may identify whether an individual has the competency to determine solutions. Key competencies in seeking solutions include:

• Establishing alternative solutions that align with business goals

• Determining whether a problem needs short- or long-term solutions

• Evaluating how solutions may impact on resources; and determining if there are any barriers to implementing the solutions.

Although any problem can have multiple solutions, the simplest or fastest one may not always be the best course of action. This is where solution comparison comes into play.

Compare solutions and plot a course

Once all possible solutions are determined, it is important to compare them. This involves evaluating each solution without bias to determine the optimal solution to the problem.

Through the evaluation process, the individual should rule out options that do not align with company goals, may take too much time and/or resources, or are unrealistic in their approach.

Some considerations when determining the best solution include the likelihood of solution implementation, whether all parties involved will accept the solution, and how it fits in with business goals. Additionally, it is important to note that the goal of the optimal solution is to solve the problem without causing additional or unanticipated problems.

In essence, problem-solving is about finding solutions that cause as little disruption as possible and correcting a project’s course.

Implement the solution

The last stage in problem-solving is the implementation of the final step. This step focuses on the remedial solution and requires continuous evaluation to ensure its effective implementation. For you as a recruiter, knowing if a candidate can find a solution as well as implement it may be important to the goals of the role.

Continually evaluating the solution will give the individual insight into whether the project goals are aligned, whether all stakeholders accept the new solution and whether the outcomes are managed effectively.

Problem-solving test

Considerations for recruiters

When hiring for a role in which problem-solving skills are crucial, it may be beneficial to test a candidate’s ability to define problems and analyze data and textual information to make decisions that best serve the business. Some of the considerations for a problem-solving test include:

Schedules are living documents that need to adapt as eventualities come into play. Candidates should be able to understand what they can realistically achieve with the time and how to adjust schedules to account for variable outcomes.

Data-driven decision-making should inform a course of action before an individual commits to it. For recruiters, this means candidates should have an aptitude for aligning data with business goals and making actionable decisions.

By using prioritization rules and supporting information, candidates can determine which project tasks take priority. This system aims to optimize resources for project delivery.

Examining textual and numerical information to reveal patterns, relationships, and trends can tell the candidate what connection exists among variables. Conclusions can then be drawn from the data to gain an accurate assessment of the overall situation.

When broken down, problem-solving is a skill that relies on a variety of disciplines to achieve success. Although this skill is transferable to many job roles, determining candidates’ proficiency can be difficult, so it can be beneficial to recruiters to use a problem-solving test to review candidates’ aptitude when recruiting for a role.

Using a pre-formulated problem-solving test will enable you to quickly assess your candidates and help you recruit the best person for the role.

An assessment is the total package of tests and custom questions that you put together to evaluate your candidates. Each individual test within an assessment is designed to test something specific, such as a job skill or language. An assessment can consist of up to 5 tests and 20 custom questions. You can have candidates respond to your custom questions in several ways, such as with a personalized video.

Yes! Custom questions are great for testing candidates in your own unique way. We support the following question types: video, multiple-choice, coding, file upload, and essay. Besides adding your own custom questions, you can also create your own tests.

A video question is a specific type of custom question you can add to your assessment. Video questions let you create a question and have your candidates use their webcam to record a video response. This is an excellent way to see how a candidate would conduct themselves in a live interview, and is especially useful for sales and hospitality roles. Some good examples of things to ask for video questions would be "Why do you want to work for our company?" or "Try to sell me an item you have on your desk right now."

Besides video questions, you can also add the following types of custom questions: multiple-choice, coding, file upload, and essay. Multiple-choice lets your candidates choose from a list of answers that you provide, coding lets you create a coding problem for them to solve, file upload allows your candidates to upload a file that you request (such as a resume or portfolio), and essay allows an open-ended text response to your question. You can learn more about different custom question types here .

Yes! You can add your own logo and company color theme to your assessments. This is a great way to leave a positive and lasting brand impression on your candidates.

Our team is always here to help. After you sign up, we’ll reach out to guide you through the first steps of setting up your TestGorilla account. If you have any further questions, you can contact our support team via email, chat or call. We also offer detailed guides in our extensive Help & Inspiration Center .

You can find our pricing packages here . Sign up here to try TestGorilla today.

Yes. You can add up to five tests to each assessment.

We recommend using our assessment software as a pre-screening tool at the beginning of your recruitment process. You can add a link to the assessment in your job post or directly invite candidates by email.

TestGorilla replaces traditional CV screening with a much more reliable and efficient process, designed to find the most skilled candidates earlier and faster.

We offer the following cognitive ability tests : Numerical Reasoning, Problem Solving, Attention to Detail, Reading Comprehension, and Critical Thinking.

Our cognitive ability tests allow you to test for skills that are difficult to evaluate in an interview. Check out our blog on why these tests are so useful and how to choose the best one for your assessment.

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High school statistics, ap®︎/college statistics, precalculus, differential calculus, integral calculus, ap®︎/college calculus ab, ap®︎/college calculus bc, multivariable calculus, differential equations, linear algebra.

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Top 72 Swift Interview Questions

25+ JavaScript Coding Interview Questions (SOLVED with CODE)

Having a JavaScript Coding Interview Session on this week? Fear not, we got your covered! Check that ultimate list of 25 advanced and tricky JavaScript Coding Interview Questions and Challenges to crack on your next senior web developer interview and got your next six-figure job offer in no time!

Q1 :   Explain what a callback function is and provide a simple example

A callback function is a function that is passed to another function as an argument and is executed after some operation has been completed. Below is an example of a simple callback function that logs to the console after some operations have been completed.

Q2 :   Given a string, reverse each word in the sentence

For example Welcome to this Javascript Guide! should be become emocleW ot siht tpircsavaJ !ediuG

Q3 :   How to check if an object is an array or not? Provide some code.

The best way to find whether an object is instance of a particular class or not using toString method from Object.prototype

One of the best use cases of type checking of an object is when we do method overloading in JavaScript. For understanding this let say we have a method called greet which take one single string and also a list of string, so making our greet method workable in both situation we need to know what kind of parameter is being passed, is it single value or list of value?

However, in above implementation it might not necessary to check type for array, we can check for single value string and put array logic code in else block, let see below code for the same.

Now it's fine we can go with above two implementations, but when we have a situation like a parameter can be single value , array , and object type then we will be in trouble.

Coming back to checking type of object, As we mentioned that we can use Object.prototype.toString

If you are using jQuery then you can also used jQuery isArray method:

FYI jQuery uses Object.prototype.toString.call internally to check whether an object is an array or not.

In modern browser, you can also use:

Array.isArray is supported by Chrome 5, Firefox 4.0, IE 9, Opera 10.5 and Safari 5

Q4 :   How to empty an array in JavaScript?

How could we empty the array above?

Above code will set the variable arrayList to a new empty array. This is recommended if you don't have references to the original array arrayList anywhere else because It will actually create a new empty array. You should be careful with this way of empty the array, because if you have referenced this array from another variable, then the original reference array will remain unchanged, Only use this way if you have only referenced the array by its original variable arrayList .

For Instance:

Above code will clear the existing array by setting its length to 0. This way of empty the array also update all the reference variable which pointing to the original array. This way of empty the array is useful when you want to update all the another reference variable which pointing to arrayList .

Above implementation will also work perfectly. This way of empty the array will also update all the references of the original array.

Above implementation can also empty the array. But not recommended to use often.

Q5 :   How would you check if a number is an integer?

A very simply way to check if a number is a decimal or integer is to see if there is a remainder left when you divide by 1.

Q6 :   Implement enqueue and dequeue using only two stacks

Enqueue means to add an element, dequeue to remove an element.

Q7 :   Make this work

Q8 :   write a "mul" function which will properly when invoked as below syntax.

Here mul function accept the first argument and return anonymous function which take the second parameter and return anonymous function which take the third parameter and return multiplication of arguments which is being passed in successive

In JavaScript function defined inside has access to outer function variable and function is the first class object so it can be returned by function as well and passed as argument in another function.

  • A function is an instance of the Object type
  • A function can have properties and has a link back to its constructor method
  • Function can be stored as variable
  • Function can be pass as a parameter to another function
  • Function can be returned from function

Q9 :   Write a function that would allow you to do this?

You can create a closure to keep the value passed to the function createBase even after the inner function is returned. The inner function that is being returned is created within an outer function, making it a closure, and it has access to the variables within the outer function, in this case the variable baseNumber .

Q10 :   FizzBuzz Challenge

Create a for loop that iterates up to 100 while outputting "fizz" at multiples of 3 , "buzz" at multiples of 5 and "fizzbuzz" at multiples of 3 and 5 .

Check out this version of FizzBuzz:

Q11 :   Given two strings, return true if they are anagrams of one another

For example: Mary is an anagram of Army

Q12 :   How would you use a closure to create a private counter?

You can create a function within an outer function (a closure) that allows you to update a private variable but the variable wouldn't be accessible from outside the function without the use of a helper function.

Q13 :   Provide some examples of non-bulean value coercion to a boolean one

The question is when a non-boolean value is coerced to a boolean, does it become true or false , respectively?

The specific list of "falsy" values in JavaScript is as follows:

  • "" (empty string)
  • 0 , -0 , NaN (invalid number)
  • null , undefined

Any value that's not on this "falsy" list is "truthy." Here are some examples of those:

  • [ ] , [ 1, "2", 3 ] (arrays)
  • { } , { a: 42 } (objects)
  • function foo() { .. } (functions)

Q14 :   What will be the output of the following code?

Above code would give output 1undefined . If condition statement evaluate using eval so eval(function f() {}) which return function f() {} which is true so inside if statement code execute. typeof f return undefined because if statement code execute at run time, so statement inside if condition evaluated at run time.

Above code will also output 1undefined .

Q15 :   What will the following code output?

The code above will output 5 even though it seems as if the variable was declared within a function and can't be accessed outside of it. This is because

is interpreted the following way:

But b is not declared anywhere in the function with var so it is set equal to 5 in the global scope .

Q16 :   Write a function that would allow you to do this

You can create a closure to keep the value of a even after the inner function is returned. The inner function that is being returned is created within an outer function, making it a closure, and it has access to the variables within the outer function, in this case the variable a .

Q17 :   How does the this keyword work? Provide some code examples

In JavaScript this always refers to the “owner” of the function we're executing, or rather, to the object that a function is a method of.

Q18 :   How would you create a private variable in JavaScript?

To create a private variable in JavaScript that cannot be changed you need to create it as a local variable within a function. Even if the function is executed the variable cannot be accessed outside of the function. For example:

To access the variable, a helper function would need to be created that returns the private variable.

Q19 :   What is Closure in JavaScript? Provide an example

A closure is a function defined inside another function (called parent function) and has access to the variable which is declared and defined in parent function scope.

The closure has access to variable in three scopes:

  • Variable declared in his own scope
  • Variable declared in parent function scope
  • Variable declared in global namespace

innerFunction is closure which is defined inside outerFunction and has access to all variable which is declared and defined in outerFunction scope. In addition to this function defined inside function as closure has access to variable which is declared in global namespace .

Output of above code would be:

Q20 :   What will be the output of the following code?

Above code will output 0 as output. delete operator is used to delete a property from an object. Here x is not an object it's local variable . delete operator doesn't affect local variable.

Q21 :   What will be the output of the following code?

Above code will output xyz as output. Here emp1 object got company as prototype property. delete operator doesn't delete prototype property.

emp1 object doesn't have company as its own property. You can test it like:

However, we can delete company property directly from Employee object using delete Employee.company or we can also delete from emp1 object using __proto__ property delete emp1.__proto__.company .

Q22 :   What will the following code output?

This will surprisingly output false because of floating point errors in internally representing certain numbers. 0.1 + 0.2 does not nicely come out to 0.3 but instead the result is actually 0.30000000000000004 because the computer cannot internally represent the correct number. One solution to get around this problem is to round the results when doing arithmetic with decimal numbers.

Q23 :   When would you use the bind function?

The bind() method creates a new function that, when called, has its this keyword set to the provided value, with a given sequence of arguments preceding any provided when the new function is called.

A good use of the bind function is when you have a particular function that you want to call with a specific this value. You can then use bind to pass a specific object to a function that uses a this reference.

Q24 :   Write a recursive function that performs a binary search

Q25 :   describe the revealing module pattern design pattern.

A variation of the module pattern is called the Revealing Module Pattern . The purpose is to maintain encapsulation and reveal certain variables and methods returned in an object literal. The direct implementation looks like this:

An obvious disadvantage of it is unable to reference the private methods

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COMMENTS

  1. 30 QA Tester Interview Questions and Answers

    Digging deep into your problem-solving skills, this question aims to uncover your ability to think critically and thoroughly assess software or products during testing. It highlights your attention to detail and your willingness to go the extra mile in spotting potential issues that could negatively impact user experience or company reputation.

  2. 15 Common Problem-Solving Interview Questions

    Testing a candidate's problem-solving skills goes beyond the IDE. Problem-solving interview questions should test both technical skills and soft skills. STAR, SOAR and PREP are methods a candidate can use to answer some non-technical problem-solving interview questions. Generic problem-solving interview questions go a long way in gauging a ...

  3. Top 20 Problem Solving Interview Questions (Example Answers Included)

    The word "process.". In the end, problem-solving is an activity. It's your ability to take appropriate steps to find answers, determine how to proceed, or otherwise overcome the challenge. Being great at it usually means having a range of helpful problem-solving skills and traits. Research, diligence, patience, attention-to-detail ...

  4. McKinsey Problem Solving Test Practice Test A

    Problem Solving Test used for selection purposes. This test assesses your ability to solve business problems using deductive, inductive, and quantitative reasoning. This practice test contains a total of 26 questions. The actual test contains 26 questions and you will be given 60 minutes to answer as many questions as possible.

  5. 30 tricky QA interview questions to ask your interviewees

    3. Can you tell us why problem-solving skills are important for QA testers? Problem-solving skills are an integral part of QA testing. Expert QA testers can narrow their search for errors and bugs with problem-solving skills and locate bugs faster. Problem-solving ability is also essential for helping testers: Select the correct tools to fix errors

  6. 27 Common QA Interview Questions (And Answers!)

    Reflect on this and prepare to talk about what types of environments you work best in, and how leaders can help create that environment. Some ideas to talk about are strong communication, active listening, honesty, psychological safety, empowerment, autonomy, vision, and more. 26.

  7. 8 Common Problem-Solving Interview Questions and Answers

    2. Tell me about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge at work. Tip: For this question, you'll want to choose a specific example from your work history to demonstrate your ability to be flexible while solving problems. To stay focused, you can use the STAR method to answer this question.

  8. 72 software testing interview questions to ask professionals

    5. Do software testers need problem-solving skills? Software testers must solve complex testing challenges and manage issues using unique, innovative, and effective approaches. For this reason, problem-solving skills are vital for software testers, and you should look for them before you hire an applicant. A data-driven approach can help you ...

  9. 20+ Problem-Solving Interview Questions for Software Engineer

    Here's the list of job positions that requires problem-solving interview questions: Accountant. IT developers. Business Analyst. Data Scientist. Logistic manager. Software Technical support. Senior IT Specialist. Technical Customer Support.

  10. Top 50 Software Testing Interview Questions (2023)

    Testing any software according to the client's needs using an automation tool is called Automation Testing. White Box Testing. In white-box testing, internal structure, internal design, the data structure used, the code structure of the software, and the working of the software are analyzed. Black Box Testing.

  11. 10 Tester Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

    Finally, it gives the interviewer an opportunity to probe deeper into the tester's thought process and problem-solving abilities. By asking this question, the interviewer is able to get a better sense of whether the tester is a good fit for the role and the company.

  12. 10 Proven Problem-solving Interview Questions [+Answers]

    Problem-solving interview questions show how candidates: Approach complex issues. Analyze data to understand the root of the problem. Perform under stressful and unexpected situations. React when their beliefs are challenged. Identify candidates who are results-oriented with interview questions that assess problem-solving skills. Look for ...

  13. Top 30 Java Interview Questions for Testers

    Q2. What type of Java interview questions for testers are asked in coding interviews? Java interview questions for testers are mostly around programming theory, automation frameworks, testing test cases, testing tools, coding, problem-solving, and distributed systems design. Q3.

  14. 101 Selenium interview questions

    Handling these challenges efficiently requires excellent problem-solving skills. Make sure your candidates have good problem-solving skills by asking them this interview question. Additionally, you can ask them to give you recent examples of their problem-solving skills or use our Problem-Solving test. 4.

  15. How Good Is Your Problem Solving?

    Answering these questions should have helped you recognize the key steps associated with effective problem solving. This quiz is based on Dr Min Basadur's Simplexity Thinking problem-solving model. This eight-step process follows the circular pattern shown below, within which current problems are solved and new problems are identified on an ongoing basis.

  16. Problem-solving Interview Questions

    Problem solving interview questions are used to identify, test and measure candidate's approach to difficult and unusual situations. Hiring candidates with strong problem solving skills can be hugely beneficial for your company. Problems are inevitable in every business sector and will arise in one form or another.

  17. Problem Solving Skills Test

    Answering these questions should have helped you recognize the key steps associated with effective problem solving. This quiz is based on Dr Min Basadur's problem-solving model. This eight-step process follows the circular pattern shown below, within which current problems are solved and new problems are identified on an ongoing basis.

  18. Test Your Problem-Solving Skills

    Test Your Problem-Solving Skills. Personalize Your Emails Personalize your monthly updates from BrainFacts.org by choosing the topics that you care about most! Sign Up Find a Neuroscientist Engage local scientists to educate your community about the brain. ...

  19. Top 34 C# Coding Interview Questions (SOLVED) To Crack Your Tech

    Being powerful, flexible, and well-supported has meant C# has quickly become one of the most popular programming languages available. Today, it is the 4th most popular programming language, with approximately 31% of all developers using it regularly. Follow along and check 34 most common C# Coding Interview Questions (SOLVED) for mid and experienced developers before your next tech interview.

  20. Problem Solving Skills Test

    This Problem Solving test evaluates candidates' ability to define problems and analyze data and textual information to make correct decisions. This test helps you identify candidates who use analytical skills to evaluate and respond to complex situations. ... Custom questions are great for testing candidates in your own unique way. We support ...

  21. Free Math Worksheets

    Khan Academy's 100,000+ free practice questions give instant feedback, don't need to be graded, and don't require a printer. Math Worksheets. Khan Academy. Math worksheets take forever to hunt down across the internet. Khan Academy is your one-stop-shop for practice from arithmetic to calculus. Math worksheets can vary in quality from ...

  22. 16 Problem-Solving Test Interview Questions & Answers

    Lacking answers: Candidates who can't recollect a problem they faced in a previous experience indicates that the candidate is more likely to evade having to deal with difficult situations altogether. Shallow answers: When providing a solution, it is essential to provide as much information as possible. Provide insight into the problem using ...

  23. 25+ JavaScript Coding Interview Questions (SOLVED with CODE)

    FullStack.Cafe is a biggest hand-picked collection of top Full-Stack, Coding, Data Structures & System Design Interview Questions to land 6-figure job offer in no time. Check 25+ JavaScript Coding Interview Questions (SOLVED with CODE) and Land Your Next Six-Figure Job Offer! 100% Tech Interview Success!