Testing has become more refined and complex in recent years. Automation testing is the process of comparing the actual outcome to the intended result. It can be accomplished using test scripts, test cases, or other automation testing tools. When preparing for interview questions for automation testing, you must concentrate on automation, the framework, and its stages.
Here are ten must-know interview questions for automation testing that will help you crack the code and stand out as a top candidate:
Explain your Approach to Automation Testing
Automation testing is a software testing method in which a tester programmatically executes the tests utilizing a framework or a tool rather than manually examining the test cases and running them one after another. The foremost goal of automated testing is to save effort, time, and capital on repetitive tests that do not change frequently. Automation testing allows teams and organizations to automate the testing efforts, diminishing the need for human intervention and attaining substantial speed, efficiency, and reliability. Furthermore, it helps speed up the development lifecycle, as the developers get swift feedback and can iterate post-haste.
I believe in creating a solid foundation by first understanding the application under test in detail and identifying the critical functionalities and areas that are important to test frequently. I prioritize creating a vigorous test automation framework that permits effortless maintenance and reusability of test scripts. I leverage tools and technologies that best suit the project requirements, guaranteeing seamless integration with the Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD) pipeline.
Closely working with the development team helps early identification and resolution of issues, promoting the ongoing improvement of test scripts. I also focus on the comprehensive coverage of tests, including functional, regression, performance, and security testing, to ensure the delivery of high-quality software.
How do you handle Test Failures?
When faced with test failures during automation testing, I employ a systematic approach to promptly identify the root cause and address the issue. Firstly, I analyze the failure logs and error messages to gather as much information as possible. This helps understand the specific steps or conditions that led to the failure. I then isolate the test case or test scenario causing the failure and rerun it to verify if it consistently fails or if it was an intermittent issue. If the failure persists, I review the test script and any recent application or test environment changes. This helps me identify any potential bugs or compatibility issues.
Additionally, I collaborate with the development team to discuss the failure and seek their insights and expertise. Together, we investigate the codebase and logs to identify any underlying issues that may have caused the failure. Once the root cause is determined, I work on fixing the issue by either updating the test script or reporting a bug for the development team to address. To promote transparency of the failure, investigation and resolution processes should be documented and communicated regularly.
What Tools do you use for Automation testing?
For automating testing processes, I employ tools that streamline and enhance efficiency. Among these tools, Selenium stands out as a widely adopted open-source cloud-based framework, enabling testing of web applications across various browsers and platforms. Selenium WebDriver, a component of Selenium, enables interaction with web elements and simulates user actions. Additionally, I utilize testing frameworks such as JUnit or TestNG for managing and executing test cases, which provide useful assertion libraries and reporting capabilities.
CI tools like Jenkins or TeamCity are vital in automating the testing process by scheduling and executing tests automatically. These tools integrate well with version control systems such as Git or SVN, enabling smooth collaboration and convenient management of test scripts. Furthermore, API testing tools like Postman and SOAPUI are of the utmost help in testing and validating API functionality and performance.
How do you prioritize Test Cases?
Test case prioritization is the most crucial part of automation testing to use resources effectively and resolve critical issues first. One way is to prioritize the test cases according to the failure impact, concentrating on the functionalities critical to the system’s overall performance or pose a high risk if not functioning correctly. This involves identifying the main features, user workflows, or scenarios that impact the system’s core functionality or user experience most.
Test cases can also be prioritized based on business requisites, considering functionalities relevant to end-users or conforming to the project’s goals. Also, the frequency of use or the complexity of implementing a test case can further affect its prioritization.
Test Scenario Walkthrough
To walk through a test scenario, the first thing to do is collect the necessary information, including the requirements, design documents, and other documentation. It assists in comprehending the scope and aims of the scenario. Next, identify the inputs or actions required to execute the scenario and the expected outputs or results. It is necessary to consider positive and negative scenarios to validate the system’s behavior in different situations.
Once the inputs and expected outputs are defined, set up the necessary test environment and configure any test data required for the scenario. Then, execute the scenario step by step, following the defined inputs and actions. During the execution, carefully observe the system’s response and compare it against the expected outputs. If any discrepancies or issues are found, document them promptly with relevant details for further analysis and resolution. Finally, after completing the scenario, verify that all the expected outputs are produced and ensure the system remains stable for subsequent scenarios or tests.
How do you ensure Test Coverage?
For comprehensive test coverage, it is necessary to use a systematic and strategic way. The first step is to thoroughly analyze the requirements and specifications of the software or application under test. From there, you can develop a detailed test plan outlining each test case’s scope and objectives.
Test cases shall be prioritized by their criticality and potential impact on the system. Coverage can also be improved by utilizing techniques such as boundary value analysis, equivalence partitioning, and error guessing, which aim at specific software sections. Also, including both positive and negative test cases guarantees the thorough testing of the system in various environments. Regular assessment and feedback from stakeholders – developers and end-users – can offer valuable insights that help achieve better test coverage.
What is your experience with Debugging?
I worked with debugging extensively throughout my career as an automation testing professional. Debugging is an integral part of the testing procedure, as it lets me detect and fix any bugs and defects in the tested software or application.
I have developed my ability to employ debugging tools and techniques to dissect code, get to the core of issues, and implement efficient solutions. From analyzing log files and error messages to stepping through code and inspecting variables, I have developed an effective debugging system to pinpoint and fix problems quickly.
Describe your experience with API Testing
As an automation testing professional, I have gained valuable experience in API testing. API testing is essential for validating the functionality and performance of software products. I have successfully designed and executed API test cases, verifying the accuracy of data transmission and the interaction between different system components. In addition, I have used tools like Postman and SoapUI to simulate API requests and responses, which enabled me to test different scenarios and handle various data types.
How do you handle Cross-Browser Testing?
Regarding cross-browser testing, I take a systematic and rigorous approach to guarantee compatibility across browsers. Firstly, I created a detailed test plan, which included the browsers and versions that should be tested. This aids me in identifying which browsers are the most commonly used by the target audience and focusing on those first.
I then leverage automation testing tools to simulate user interactions and verify the application’s functionality across different browsers.
LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform to run manual and automated tests at scale. The platform allows you to perform real-time automated testing across 3000+ environments and real mobile devices.
These cloud-based tools enable me to write scripts that run tests in parallel, thus saving time and resources. Regularly staying updated with the latest browser releases and developments is crucial to identify and promptly address any new compatibility issues.
How do you handle Data-Driven Testing?
Data-driven testing is an essential component of automation testing as it enables the efficient and effective examination of various scenarios using diverse datasets. I use a structured method to check test coverage comprehensively to deal with data-driven testing. Firstly, I identify the specific test scenarios that require data variation and create a test plan that outlines the input parameters and expected outcomes for each scenario.
Next, I leverage data sources such as Excel spreadsheets or databases to store the test data sets. This allows me to manage and update the test data as needed easily. I then integrate the test data into my automation framework, either by using data-driven testing frameworks or by writing custom code to retrieve and input the data during test execution. By separating the test logic and data, I ensure that the tests remain maintainable and scalable.
Finally, I analyze and monitor the test results, comparing the expected outcomes with the results obtained from each data set. This helps me identify patterns or issues related to specific data inputs and make necessary adjustments to improve the testing process. By employing a systematic approach to data-driven testing, I can ensure thorough coverage and accuracy in verifying the functionality and performance of the application under different data conditions.
Bonus Tip: When to avoid Automated Testing?
Everything comes with its set of drawbacks or limits. The same is true with automation testing. Though automation has numerous advantages, automating all the testing is not a good idea. There are scenarios where testers can outperform an automation test suite in software testing:
- The features of software under test change frequently. It indicates that the test script needs to be updated regularly to keep them up to date.
- Exploration testing is not suitable for automated testing. Testers can examine software more comprehensively than a computer.
- If the automated tests are not programmed or configured to look for user interface issues, they won’t be able to detect any.
Conclusion
These ten interview questions are essential for any aspiring automation testing professional to know and understand. Being able to answer them confidently will attract employers’ attention and demonstrate your skills and knowledge in the given field. Don’t forget to thoroughly prepare for your interviews and keep up with the latest automation testing methods and tools.
