Manual Testing Interview Questions and Answers Explained

Maybe you’re planning to hire a manual test engineer for the first time. Maybe you’ve been burned by a fair-weather software testing agency and have sworn you’ll be more particular about the next manual tester you choose. Whatever the situation, be aware that when hiring a manual test professional, you need to do your research and ask all the right questions.

Not sure if you’re covering enough ground with your current list of manual interview testing questions and answers? We can help with that. We’ve pulled together a list of 50 questions to ask before hiring a QA manual tester. Many are questions that our clients have asked us—or what we believe is relevant to the recruitment process.

What Is Manual Testing and Who Is a QA Manual Tester?

Manual testing is a method of testing software where an individual or a team acts as though they are the end-users and meticulously cross-check all the functionalities of the software. A QA engineer is an expert who acts in place of the end-user in testing and validating the correct behavior of the software. 

During manual testing, no pre-programmed digital or automated testing system is used. The person conducting the test physically goes through the software and tries to locate issues while documenting feedback. It is vital that professionals conduct this test, because of the critical stage of the testing. This testing stage is the closest to user acceptance testing or the software launch.

Top 5 Considerations When Hiring a QA Engineer

As seen on Global Market Insights, in 2019, global Software Testing Market size was more than  $40. The CAGR is also projected to rise by more than 6% between 2020 and 2026.  It appears Agile testing and Methodologies are the firestorms behind this growth. North America also covers a prominent share of the global software testing market; the trend in this area is attributed to the increasing development of smartphone apps in the retail and healthcare industries.

Hence, it is true that we are in no scarcity of software testing companies, but in hiring one, the quality of experience and so many other factors count.  The interview process needs to be preconditioned to meet the goal ― selecting the best of the best. Here are five far-reaching points to consider.

1. Describe the Manual Testing Position

Recruiting a QA specialist begins with the work description. Each part of the description allows you to compile knowledge regarding tasks, duties, required expertise, and expected results. Analyzing the job description also gives the bigger picture about the right candidate to hire.  

2. Develop a Realistic Approach  

With the role description well on track, organize a meeting to plan how to hire. The team should include a recruiter or hiring manager. During the meeting, agree on the best strategy and its application. However, the approach doesn’t have to be off-the-hook. Instead, keep it straightforward and achievable.

3. Verify the Job History and Testimonials of the Manual Testers

An in-depth work history analysis of prospective manual testers for your company is a crucial step when hiring. The recruiter has to validate that the applicant can demonstrate all skills and experience cited in the credentials and reference letters. You also want to discern how well they related with their previous employers, colleagues, and customers. This will give an insightful snippet into knowing the soft skills of your new hire and the best ways to work with them.  

4. Examine Applicants’ Certificates and Cover Letters

The task of assessing the candidates’ CVs and cover letters takes off at the point of drafting the role description. The slate for the preferred qualities in the candidate ought to be developed by now. Be sure to vet all applicants against a number of the most valued soft skills, hard skills, and experience you want. 

5. Come up with the Right Manual Testing Questions

This is the overriding factor of the interview process. The manual interview questions asked are of utmost importance in bolstering the outcome of the job interview and helping to select the most qualified employee. Interview questions also help to distinguish preferred candidates from the mediocre.

50 Manual Testing Interview Questions and their Answers 

Below, we will categorize and discuss essential questions to ask QA engineers before making the final choice. 

1. Most Common Questions (MCQs) 
2. Priotiorized Questions and Answers:
   • to ascertain the candidates’ foundational skills. 
   • to ascertain the candidates’ experience. 
   • to ascertain the candidates’ practical and advanced skills. 

Most Common Questions

These are notable questions you will most likely find on the checklist of every manual testing interview board room. These reflect both the basic manual testing understanding and experience of the candidates. 

Q1. What’s Software Testing?

Software testing simply means verifying all the codes, the functions, and the operation of software with the aim of eliminating abnormalities and performing upgrades where necessary. Testing should start as soon as the software is being developed and should be done continuously. 

Q2. Why Will I Need Software Testing?

Testing helps organizations to quickly discover any abnormality that might arise during and after building the software. Not testing your software is like buying a shoe without checking its size. Proper testing helps organizations to meet the requirements of their end-users and exceed their expectations.  

Simply put, perks of software testing includes the following:

• It reveals possible bugs and abnormalities during the entire SDLC.
• It cuts down the total time of the development cycle.
• It saves companies a ton of cash spent on fixing bugs. 
• It improves the overall performance and quality of the application.
• It ensures that the company meets, satisfies and outperforms the expectations of its end-users.

Q3. Describe Two Primary Categories of Software Tests

There are two categories: 

• Functional testing: Which has to do with checking the behaviour or functionality of the application, as required by the business. 
• Non-functional testing: Which involves checking non-functional sides of the software, as expected by the end-users. 

Q4. How Can One differentiate Quality Control from Quality Assurance?

Quality control as well as quality assurance are under quality management. Quality control involves the operations that guarantee the quality of software, like its functionalities, while quality assurance involves the actions that ensure that the various procedures that lead to the development of software are all top quality, like the staff programming it. Thus, one can state that quality control is focused on the software itself, while quality assurance is focused on its development process. 

Q5. Can You Give a Concise Definition of Quality Control? 

Performing quality control on software is a bit similar to software testing. It’s the process of ensuring that the software meets market demand and operates without abnormalities. It deals with verifying the actual quality of the software, unlike quality assurance that deals with verifying the quality of the processes that lead to the development of the software. 

Q6. What Types of Manual Tests Do You Know?

The most practiced types of manual testing are 

• Smoke 
• Cross-browser
• Alpha 
• Beta  
• Exploratory 
• Negative  
• Usability 

Q7. Do You Know the Difference between an Alpha Test and a Beta Test?

Alpha testing involves testing software within the confines of the organization’s web application, while Beta testing has to do with giving the end-user a chance to test-run the software using their own devices and operating systems. 

Q8. Can You Discuss the Different Levels of a Manual Test?

• Unit
• Integration
• System
• Acceptance

Q9. Define a Test Bed

A testbed is a digital platform for carrying out tests. A typical testbed consists of a web app, the operating system, the software being tested, and other tools that facilitate the process. For manual testing, the testbed is the testers device and operating system with which they will carry out the end-user oriented tests. 

Q10. What’s Common to Quality Control and Quality Assurance?

QA and Qc are under quality management. Both are used to ensure that business requirements are followed so that the final product meets the standards of its users.

Q11. What’s Different between STLC and SDLC?

STLC — Software Testing Life Cycle

• In STLC, clients and stakeholders provide the system specifications, which the QA team further reviews 
• During this cycle, testers develop test scripts
• We make a description of the type of tests and methodologies for carrying out those tests.
• We specify the functionality to test, making testing better directed. 
• It helps derive significant details on the testing lab, where the software execution will occur.

SDLC — Software Development Life Cycle

• This model makes it easy to access the software build and features, and to record verified outcomes.
• It uses a stepwise approach in completing projects. The components of each project are also different and recognizable.
• Threat reduction is an important aspect of the process that requires effective management.

Ascertain the candidates’ foundational skills

These are more precise but subtle questions asked to test the fundamentals of the applicants. Though they only show a theoretical base of knowledge, they’re good to know, especially for entry level testers.

Q12. Explain How to Conduct Manual Testing

Steps to perform a Manual test include the following:

• Plan
• Review
• Design
• Develop
• Report
• Close 

Q13. What’s Test Case?

A test case is a replica of the specific test carried out on software. It’s like a reference to an already conducted test. A test case can also be referred to as an ongoing test. Test cases are like a set of blueprints combined to make up a complete software test. 

Q14. What’s the Test Scenario?

This refers to the simulation of what the actual test is. A test scenario is created to guide the testers to understand what to expect from the actual test to come. 

Q15. What’s Different between Test Case and Test Scenario

Q16. How Can One Differentiate a Validation Test from a Verification Test?

Verification has to do with testing the software from its first code all the way through its development process, while validation has to do with checking the completed software to be sure that it meets market demand. Verification is dynamic and involves checking the codes and the testbed, while validation is quite static and involves checking the final functions of the software prior to launch. 

Q17.Explain What You Understand by “API testing”

API testing is a branch of software testing that has to do with the testing of Application Programming Interfaces (API). It is a form of Integration testing which checks the quality of the environment on which software is being programmed. 

Q18. Differentiate between a Bug, an Error and a Defect

a. Bug

A bug is an issue that causes a malfunction in the execution of software functionality. It mostly has to do with a wrongly written code or faulty interfaces. 

b. Error

Errors are the most common inconsistencies observed by the team of testers during the app development phase. They are created by coders during the building of the program or construction of the layout.

c. Defect

Defect is an outright deviation from the desired requirements, whereby the developed software is totally different from what was originally intended.

Q19. What’re Pros of Manual Testing? 

Manual testing is very flexible and the tester is quite free to break boundaries and go around more areas of the software which automation may just breeze through. 

Manual testing is end-user oriented and gives the organization a feel of what their customers will experience when using their software. 

It is cheaper to prepare and carry out manual tests than carrying out automated tests. 

Q20. What’re Cons of a Manual Test?

The major drawback of manual testing is that it can take time to be completed, unlike automated tests which have fixed time frames. Also, if a wrong tester is hired, he/she will give the wrong test results, thereby painting a wrong picture of the software requirements. Thus finding the right manual tester is of high priority. 

Q21. Why Would I Need Documentation During Testing?

Documentation helps to store the outcome of each test case so that if such cases arise in the future, they can be used as test scenarios. Documentation helps to facilitate software updates, because specific test cases can be revisited and fortified, especially those which are constantly evolving or had issues during development. 

Ascertain the Candidates’ Experience

If you’re looking to find how grounded your potential hire is, this set of questions will help. You want to check some soft skills and the more profound essentials of manual testing alike. 

Q22. How Does One Differentiate a Manual Test from an Automaton Test?

The major difference in manual testing vs automation testing is that a manual test is carried out by a human tester, while automation testing is carried out in a digital test environment. Manual testing is done to mirror the end-user experience, while automation testing cannot exactly mimic how a human would use the software. 

Q23. When Is a Manual Test Used Over an Automaton Test? 

The best time to perform manual testing is towards the completion of the software or from the System Testing stage up until after the software has been launched. Automation testing is better during the earlier stages of software development. 

Q24. Who Is a Good Tester?

• He/ she should be able to properly represent the experience of an end-user. 
• He/ she should focus on improving the overall quality of the software functionalities.
• He/ she should be able to spot the small details of the software. 
• He/ she should be able to communicate properly, especially with the software developers or the organization that owns the software, as well as with the customers. 

Q25. What’s Regression Testing and When Do We Need It? 

This is the process of repeating previously conducted tests, especially after a change has been made to the software. Regression testing must be carried out after a software update or functionality changes. 

Now: a regression test can be performed:

a. When the software has new functionalities applied.

Case 1:  A website has a login functionality that allows users to sign in by email. Now, the  latest updates tend to provide an additional login option via Facebookeature to do login using Facebook.

b. When there is a need to revise the specifications.

Case 2: Remember to delete the  password from the previously accessed login page.

c. When there is a defect repair

Case 3: Suppose the Login Funtion stops to respond to clicks. When the problem is resolved, testers can then verify if the Login button works as should.

d. When there is a Performance Issue Fix.

Case 4:  It takes  five seconds to load the home page. Reduce  the load time to two seconds

Q26. How Does System Testing Differ from Integration Testing?

Integration testing deals with the interaction between units of codes or functions within the software, while System testing takes a more holistic approach of testing whether the software meets the requirements of the end-user and the operating systems that will support the software. 

Q27. Define the Defect life cycle?

This can also be referred to as a bug life cycle. The defect life cycle can be referred to as the different stages a defect or bug undergoes from the moment it is detected in software to the moment it is corrected. 

The different stages a defect undergoes during its lifetime are as follows: 

Newly detected; Assigned; Open (Here it’s either Duplicated, Rejected, Deferred or declared as Not a Bug); Fixed; Pending Retest; Retest (Re-Opened); Verification; and finally Closed. 

Q28. Explain the Term Test Harness

A test harness is a test environment where testing configurations are put into place so as to automate the process of testing software. 

A test harness is made up of two main parts namely: 

• Test execution engine 
• Test script repository 

Q29. Explain the Term Test Closure

Test closure is documentation that contains all the details of the various tests carried out on software, detailing all issues identified and resolved, all upgrades, all changes, the level and stages of the tests, etc. It gives an organization a complete overview of all the tests their software went through, the bugs that were found and fixed, and the updates and changes that occurred. 

Q30. Explain the Term Critical Bug

A critical bug is a serious issue that totally incapacitates a software and almost renders it useless. In fact, for a bug to be classified as critical, it must’ve halted the core operations of the software. 

Q31. Explain Defect Cascading during Software Testing

Defect cascading is simply when a defect causes more defects to arise in software. One problem can lead to another which can generate a chain of events that corrupt the software. If a series of codes are linked and function based on each other, one’s malfunction can lead to a malfunction of all those linked to it. 

Q32. Explain Software Quality 

The quality of the software is the operational level of the software. It is determined by whether the software meets or exceeds the market expectations and end-user requirements. 

Q33. Explain Top-down and Bottom-up testing

These two testing methods are among the types of integration testing techniques. Top-down testing has to do with testing the higher level of codes within a software, along with a simulation of the lower level of codes which are meant to be combined with the higher ones. 

For bottom-up testing, the lower level codes have to be programmed, while the higher-level codes meant to be linked to the lower ones have to be simulated. They involve creating test scenarios for less complex codes and more complex codes respectively. 

They both give the tester an idea of the quality of the combination and interaction between simple and complex levels of codes within a software. 

Q34. What’s Different between a Smoke Test and a Sanity Test?

A smoke test is a method of verifying that all the main features of the initial build are working fine. Usually done during SDLC, smoke testing gives testers “go ahead” to progress to further testing of the product. 

The mainstay of the smoking test is not to carry out rigorous testing, but rather to check whether software’s most important functionalities are in good shape. The test is rapid and simple. To put it in a nutshell, we want to know what could be defective in our first software build. And if found, we return to the development stage.

A sanity test involves testing conducted to determine whether the initial build operates after we add a new function to it. Just like a smoke test, sanity testing is fast. We can also do this test upon obtaining a pretty stable product.

Q35. What’s Different between a Static Test and a Dynamic Test?

Code execution is not necessary during a static test. The testing can be carried out manually with a collection of techniques and tools. This kind of evaluation includes the study of the source; review of data for requirements; and analysis of the documentation. 

Throughout the phase, the testers give comments on each examined document.  You can proceed to security audit and evaluate the program under runtime-free settings. But that is only possible if the user interface is unlaunched and the program is unoperational. 

Dynamic testing, being the opposite, is feasible once the program becomes operational and the user interface is excited. Unlike static testing, dynamic testing is done under real run-time settings.  The tester must have feedback and aligns the output with this result.

Q36. What’s Different between a Black Box Test and a White Box Test

The Black-Box Test investigates the application’s capabilities without the tester’s knowledge of the internal build or design. This test is also referred to as behavioral testing, as it seeks to examine the features of the program as a whole and ensure that it operates properly and satisfies consumer criteria. Functional tests, non-functional tests, and regression tests are black-box testing types. Specific methods shall include:

• Boundary Value 
• Equivalence Partitioning
• Use Case
• Decision Table 

The White-Box test involves an extensive understanding of the code because it consists of checking the application’s technical components. In other words, the tester knows of the system’s internal structure. The name of the test is interchangeable with clear tests or glass tests. The following specification coverage are used:

• Decision 
• Condition 
• Multiple Condition
• Statement

Q37. What Methods of Testing Should an Experienced QA Engineer Know?

Experienced-reliant tests are mostly about exploration, examination, and understanding. The tester continuously analyzes the software, using his expertise, attributes, and knowledge to establish test plans and test cases to execute the required tests. Different experience-based assessment methods are accessible. These could be:

• Exploratory Testing
• Error Guessing

Ascertain the Candidates Practical and Advanced Skills

These questions will demonstrate the candidates’ practical ability to understand and manage real-world problems. They’re recommended for hiring advanced QA engineers with over a decade of experience.

Q38. When Should We Stop Testing?

Although testing is a continuous process, an organization can decide to officially pause testing only when the software is fully ready to be launched. By this time, all necessary changes have occurred, all defects must have been detected and corrected, and the quality of the software guaranteed for meeting and exceeding end-user requirements. 

Q39. Can Software be Filled with Bugs that It Cannot Undergo Testing?

No matter how buggy software may be, no matter how critical its defects might get, an appropriate test must reveal the issues. However, one can argue that software might be so damaged that it may have to be reprogrammed from scratch. Critical bugs commonly arise from software that wasn’t tested from the beginning of its development. 

Q40. Do You Know the Best Time to Conduct an Automation Test over a Manual Test?

Automated testing is mostly carried out at the beginning stages of the development of the software. At those early stages of programming, the end-user experience is not necessarily possible because the software is not yet complete. 

Q41. Reasons for Boundary Value Analysis

Boundary value analysis provides good test cases because they confine the test to a selected range of values, and the test can never exceed the original set values. It helps testers fine-tune a procedure to a specific range of requirements, such as lower to upper, start to end, inside to outside, minimum to maximum, 1 to 10, etc. It also saves time. 

Q42. Why Should We Aim for Thorough Testing?

It is essential to test software thoroughly and eliminate all bugs to meet your customers’ needs. A single malfunction can cause an organization to lose their customers to competitors. There’s a famous saying that goes, “Customer is King.” Your end-users must be satisfied with your software at all costs, and be sure to carry out routine tests and updates.

Q43. Is it Possible to Have 100% Bug-Free Software? 

There’s rarely anything as completely bug-free software. Zero error software is much like a fallacy: we should omit this ideology. Constant retouch is essential to scale software. Let’s consider Apple products as an example: as soon as Apple launches a new iOS version, call it the 10th, or effects modifications to the code— you also need to update the current version to make your device function as intended. By creating these changes, you eliminate glitches so that customers don’t abandon your app for a better option. 

Q44. Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?

Automation testing can never replace manual testing, just as machines cannot fully replace human beings and their functions. A machine cannot use software precisely as a human would; this is why manual testing is required and should be done by the right people. 

 

 Q45. What Is the Simplest Manual Test You’ve Done? 

The candidate should explain and give a broad picture of the most straightforward manual test he/ she has done in the past. 

Q46. What is the Most Complex Manual Test You’ve Done? 

The candidate should explain and give a broad picture of the most sophisticated manual test he/ she has previously done. 

Q47. What Is the Best Way to Interact with Your Employer, the Software Developers, and the End-Users? 

This should test the candidate’s team working ability by him/ her explaining the best possible ways of communicating effectively with the employer, the software developers, and the end-users. 

Q48. What Is this Company all about? 

Simply put, a serious candidate should have done little research about the organization he/ she wants to work with. 

Ask Away!

In conclusion, the manual tester should be a representative of all end-users of the software. He/she should be able to demonstrate professionalism, the necessary skills and abilities, and the relevant experience. Mischoice can damage the organization’s reputation, cost extra resources to correct unseen issues, and the software may fall below the desired quality. That’s why it’s imperative to select a manual tester carefully.

Your interview process must be taken seriously and structured towards making the right choice by asking the right questions. UTOR is one of the leading global software testing companies. We hope these manual interview questions and answers will help you in hiring the right fit.  

Looking for other software testing interview tips? You may explore similar articles:

1. 50 software testing interview questions and answers 
2. 4 Levels of software testing 
3. Functional and non-functional testing
4. Types of software testing