Most Asked Manual Testing Interview Questions: For Freshers & Experienced

In manual testing interviews, it's important to demonstrate a solid understanding of both foundational and advanced concepts. Focus on key areas like test case design, defect management, and regression testing, while highlighting your ability to execute test plans and prioritize tasks effectively.

In this blog, we’ll start with beginner-level questions on software testing fundamentals. Then, we’ll dive into intermediate and advanced questions covering areas like test case creation, API testing, and tackling practical challenges in manual testing.

Beginner Level Manual Testing And Software Testing Interview Questions

Software testing ensures products meet quality standards. As a beginner, it's important to understand manual testing, which involves human evaluation to identify bugs and validate performance. 

Below are basic manual testing interview questions for freshers to help you strengthen your knowledge.

1. What Is Software Testing?

Software testing is a crucial process that ensures a software application meets its functional and non-functional requirements, operates as intended, and is free of defects. It involves evaluating the software in actual conditions to identify bugs, usability issues, or performance problems before the product reaches users. 

With the rise of Agile and DevOps, continuous testing has become more important to ensure quick feedback during fast-paced development cycles.

What is manual testing? It refers to the process where testers manually execute test cases without the use of automation tools, focusing on evaluating the software from a user’s perspective.

Key Aspects of Software Testing:

• Functional Testing: Verifies the software performs expected actions, such as confirming that payment processes work seamlessly on an e-commerce site.
• Non-Functional Testing: Evaluates performance, security, and scalability. Example: Testing how an app handles high traffic during peak seasons.

Automation and Manual Testing: Both play significant roles in modern testing strategies. Automation is effective for repetitive tasks, while manual testing is crucial for user experience, especially in areas where human judgment is needed, such as UI/UX testing. Manual testing also provides a critical layer of feedback in early development stages and for complex or one-off scenarios that automation can't fully cover

2. What Are The 4 Types Of Software Tests?

Software testing encompasses a variety of approaches, each suited for different phases of development and testing. Here's a breakdown of the four key types:

• Unit Testing: This test focuses on individual components or functions of the code. Typically executed by developers, unit testing is essential for catching early errors and ensuring that each small unit of code behaves as expected. 
  • Example: A developer testing a function that calculates tax on a shopping cart total.
• Integration Testing: Once individual components are tested, integration testing ensures that these components work together as expected. It verifies the data flow between modules and checks for any issues that might arise when combining different parts of the application. 
  • Example: Verifying that the user login function correctly interacts with the database to authenticate a user.
• System Testing: This is a comprehensive test that evaluates the entire application as a whole. System testing checks that all components function together properly and meets the specified requirements. It tests everything from front-end interactions to back-end processes. 
  • Example: Testing a complete online store's shopping process, from browsing products to completing a purchase.
• Acceptance Testing: Often the final stage before a product goes live, acceptance testing ensures the software meets business and user requirements. It’s typically conducted by QA teams, with input from stakeholders or end-users, to confirm that the software is ready for production. 
  • Example: A user acceptance test where a client verifies that a new feature in a project management app meets their specifications before launch.

Recent trend: More companies are integrating shift-left testing, where testing starts earlier in the SDLC, enhancing early bug detection and improving quality in shorter release cycles.

3. What Is The Difference Between Verification And Validation?

The following table compares Verification (building right) vs. Validation (building the right product) in testing.

4. How Do You Set Up A Manual Test?

Manual Testing Definition involves human testers executing test cases step-by-step without automation tools. Setting up a manual test follows a structured approach to ensure thorough and effective testing:

• Test Planning: Define the test objectives and scope, including determining the specific features or functionalities to be tested.
• Test Case Design: Write detailed test cases that cover various scenarios, including edge cases and expected outcomes.
• Test Environment Setup: Prepare the required hardware, software, and tools. A common challenge is ensuring that the test environment closely mirrors the production environment, which may involve configuring specific versions or dependencies.
• Test Execution: Execute the test cases manually while noting any discrepancies between expected and actual results.
• Defect Logging: If defects are found, log them with sufficient detail for further analysis and resolution, making it easier for developers to reproduce and fix the issue.

This structured approach helps identify functional and usability issues early, ensuring timely fixes. However, challenges like inconsistent test data, environment configuration, or incomplete test cases can complicate the process, requiring continuous adjustments and thorough validation throughout the testing phase.

Example:

Test Case: Verify Login Functionality

Test Case ID: TC_001
Test Case Title: Verify login functionality with valid credentials
Test Case Description: This test case will verify if a user can successfully log in with valid credentials.

Pre-Conditions:

• The user should have a valid username and password.
• The user is on the login page of the application.

Test Steps:

1. Navigate to the Login Page
   • Open the application in a browser.
   • Ensure the login page is displayed.
2. Enter Valid Credentials
   • In the "Username" field, enter a valid username (e.g., testuser).
   • In the "Password" field, enter the correct password (e.g., password123).
3. Click on the Login Button
   • Click on the "Login" button.
4. Verify User is Redirected to Dashboard
   • After successful login, verify that the user is redirected to the Dashboard page.
   • Check that the Dashboard page contains the text "Welcome, testuser."

Expected Result:

• The user should be successfully logged in.
• The user should be redirected to the Dashboard page.
• The Dashboard should display a welcome message with the username.

Post-Conditions:

• The user is logged in and is on the Dashboard page.

Test Data:

• Username: testuser
• Password: password123

Status:

• Pass/Fail: [To be filled after execution]

Also Read: How to Write Test Cases: Key Steps for Successful QA Testing

5. What Is API Testing?

API (Application Programming Interface) Testing is a type of software testing that verifies that an API functions as expected. This includes checking whether the API responds correctly to various requests, validates data, handles errors, and integrates properly with other systems.

In manual API testing, you typically use tools like Postman or Insomnia to send requests to an API and validate the responses.

Sample API Request and Response Validation

Scenario: Let's consider an API that returns the details of a user by their User ID.

Step 1: Sending a GET Request Using Postman

• API Endpoint: https://api.example.com/users/{userId}
• Method: GET
• Request URL: https://api.example.com/users/12345

Request Headers (Optional):

• Authorization: Bearer <your_token>

Postman Request Setup:

1. Open Postman.
2. Set the method to GET.
3. Enter the URL: https://api.example.com/users/12345.
4. Add any necessary headers, such as an Authorization header if required.
5. Click Send to send the request.

Step 2: Validating the API Response

Once you send the request, the Postman will return the response. Here’s how to validate the response:

• Expected Response Code: 200 OK
• Response Body: The response should include the user's details, such as name, email, and address.

Sample Response Body:

{
    "userId": "12345",
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "johndoe@example.com",
    "address": "123 Main St, City, Country"
}

Step 3: Verifying Response Data

In manual testing, once you receive the response, you need to verify:

1. Status Code: Ensure the status code is 200 OK. If it’s not, it indicates a failure (e.g., 404 Not Found or 500 Internal Server Error).
2. Response Body:
   • Check that the response body includes the correct user ID (12345 in this case).
   • Verify that fields like name, email, and address are present and contain valid data.
3. Response Time: The API response time should fall within an acceptable range. For example, the request should return within 2 seconds.
4. Content Type: Check that the Content-Type header is set to application/json.

Step 4: Validating Edge Cases

In addition to validating the correct response, consider testing with edge cases:

• Invalid User ID: Send a request with an invalid User ID (e.g., 99999) and validate that the response returns an error (e.g., 404 Not Found).
• Missing Authorization Token: Send the request without an authorization token and check if the response indicates a 401 Unauthorized error.

Example Test Case for API Testing

Test Case Title: Verify User Data Retrieval via GET Request

Test Case ID: TC_API_001
Test Case Description: Verify that a GET request to retrieve user details by User ID returns correct data.

Pre-Conditions:

• The API server is running.
• The correct Authorization token is available.

Test Steps:

1. Open Postman.
2. Set the method to GET.
3. Enter the Request URL: https://api.example.com/users/12345.
4. Add Authorization headers (if required).
5. Click Send.

Expected Result:

• Status Code: 200 OK

Response Body:

{
    "userId": "12345",
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "johndoe@example.com",
    "address": "123 Main St, City, Country"
}

• Content-Type: application/json

Post-Conditions:

• User data has been verified successfully.

Test Data:

• User ID: 12345
• Authorization Token: <your_token>

6. What Is The Difference Between Alpha And Beta Testing?

• Alpha Testing: Conducted internally by developers to identify bugs early. It’s often the first real test after development.
• Beta Testing: Involves a select group of external users testing the software in a real setting, identifying user-experience flaws and additional bugs.

Example: In an e-commerce app, alpha testers might check basic features like adding products to the cart, while beta testers would evaluate the app’s performance across devices and network conditions.

Given the increasing focus on user experience, companies are using beta testing to gather early feedback for post-launch improvements.

7. What Is A Testbed?

A testbed is a controlled environment equipped with the necessary hardware, software, and tools for testing, ensuring consistency across test runs. 

For example, a cloud-based testbed might include cloud servers, databases, and automation tools like Jenkins for integration testing. Manual testers use testbeds to perform tests such as regression or performance testing, simulating specific user environments (e.g., browsers, OS, and network conditions). 

This helps ensure software reliability and enables bug replication. With the rise of cloud and DevOps, testbeds are now designed to mimic production environments, focusing on scalability and performance.

8. What Is Meant By Manual Testing?, And How Does It Differ From Automated Software Testing?

Manual Testing Definition refers to the process where human testers execute test cases step-by-step without using automation tools. It’s ideal for tasks requiring human judgment, such as UI/UX and exploratory testing, allowing testers to interact with the application like end-users.

In contrast, automated testing uses scripts for predefined tests, speeding up repetitive tasks and minimizing human error. This makes it valuable for verifying code correctness across different environments.

• Manual Testing Example:

Testing a user’s interaction with an e-commerce checkout flow, ensuring that all steps are intuitive and functioning correctly from the user’s perspective.

• Automated Testing Example:

Running a script to verify login functionality across different browsers, ensuring the same result is achieved without manual input.

The rise of AI-driven automation is blurring the lines, allowing for faster, more intelligent test execution. However, manual testing remains vital for user-centered tasks where human judgment and subjective evaluation are key.

Also Read: Difference between Testing and Debugging

9. What Are The Advantages Of Manual Testing?

Manual testing remains essential in many scenarios due to its flexibility. Here’s a structured approach to understanding when manual testing is ideal:

• Step 1: Identify the Project Size and Complexity
  For smaller projects or those with limited budgets, manual testing is often the best choice. It’s cost-effective and doesn’t require the setup or maintenance of automation tools.
  • Example: A small web application for a local business might only require a few rounds of manual testing, making it unnecessary to invest in automation.
• Step 2: Determine if Human Judgment Is Needed
  Manual testing excels in areas where human intuition and creativity are required. This includes usability testing and tasks that need subjective evaluation, such as assessing the look and feel of a user interface.
  • Example: Testing a mobile app’s user interface to ensure it’s intuitive and user-friendly is best done manually, as automation cannot assess the user experience effectively.
• Step 3: Assess if Automation Is Feasible or Required
  If automation isn’t feasible due to time, budget constraints, or the nature of the test, manual testing provides flexibility and allows for faster feedback.
  • Example: A new feature with frequent updates might not be worth automating initially. Manual testing ensures that testers can quickly assess new changes without needing to maintain automation scripts.

While manual testing can be labor-intensive, its ability to provide nuanced feedback, particularly for creative and exploratory tasks, makes it invaluable, especially in Agile environments where flexibility and quick iterations are crucial.

10. What Is The Difference Between Manual Testing And Software Testing?

Manual testing is a subset of software testing, where test cases are executed manually by testers. Software testing includes both manual and automated testing methods. Manual testing is flexible, requiring human intuition for areas like user experience, while automated testing accelerates repetitive tasks.

• Example: Manual testing might involve testing user flow on an app, while automated testing uses scripts to validate data submission across multiple devices.

As more companies adopt continuous testing, the balance between manual and automated testing is crucial for ensuring quick, reliable feedback.

11. What Is Quality Control, And How Does It Differ From Quality Assurance?

• Quality Control (QC) focuses on identifying and fixing defects in the software. It ensures that the software meets the specified requirements.
• Quality Assurance (QA) is a broader process that aims to prevent defects by improving the development processes and ensuring quality at every stage.

Example: QC could involve bug-tracking during software testing, while QA might entail creating standards for coding and documentation practices to prevent bugs from arising.

With Agile methodologies, QA has become an ongoing, iterative process that spans the entire development lifecycle, focusing on preventative measures rather than just defect identification.

12. What Is The Difference Between Smoke Testing And Sanity Testing?

Smoke testing and sanity testing are both essential in the software development lifecycle, but they serve different purposes. Smoke testing ensures that the critical features of an application are functioning correctly after a new build, while sanity testing verifies specific bug fixes or features after updates. Although both are types of acceptance testing, their focus and depth differ.

Here's a quick comparison to highlight the key differences between the two:

Here’s an example of how you might include code snippets for Smoke Testing and Sanity Testing to illustrate the difference between the two testing types, particularly in the context of web application testing.

// Simple Smoke Test: Verify login functionality is working
describe('Smoke Test - Login Functionality', () => {
  it('should load the login page', () => {
    cy.visit('/login'); // Navigate to the login page
    cy.get('h1').should('contain', 'Login'); // Check if the page title is correct
  });
  it('should allow a user to login with valid credentials', () => {
    cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('testuser'); // Type username
    cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('password123'); // Type password
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click(); // Submit login form
    cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard'); // Verify that the user is redirected to the dashboard
  });
});

Output:

  Smoke Test - Login Functionality
    ✓ should load the login page
    ✓ should allow a user to login with valid credentials
  2 passing (X seconds)

In the Smoke Test example, we test the basic functionality of the login feature to ensure the most critical part of the app works. Smoke testing is often the first step in a new build to quickly check if the application is stable enough for further testing.

Sanity Testing Example (Feature-Specific Test):

// Sanity Test: Verify the login functionality works after recent changes
describe('Sanity Test - Login after Backend Changes', () => {
  it('should display an error message with invalid credentials', () => {
    cy.visit('/login');
    cy.get('input[name="username"]').type('wronguser');
    cy.get('input[name="password"]').type('wrongpassword');
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
    cy.get('.error-message').should('contain', 'Invalid credentials');
  });
  it('should login successfully with correct credentials', () => {
    cy.get('input[name="username"]').clear().type('correctuser');
    cy.get('input[name="password"]').clear().type('correctpassword');
    cy.get('button[type="submit"]').click();
    cy.url().should('include', '/dashboard');
  });
});

Output:

Test 1:

✓ should display an error message with invalid credentials

Test 2:

✓ should login successfully with correct credentials

In the Sanity Test example, the tests are more focused on verifying whether specific functionalities still work after a change or update has been made. The goal of sanity testing is to confirm that recent changes did not break existing functionality and that the app is stable for further, more extensive testing.

13. What Is The Difference Between Black Box Testing And White Box Testing?

Black Box Testing and White Box Testing are two fundamental approaches with distinct focuses in software testing:

• Black Box Testing focuses on testing the software’s functionality without knowledge of its internal code or logic.
• White Box Testing involves testing the internal workings of the software, such as code logic and data structures.

Example: In black box testing, a tester may check if a form submits data correctly. In white box testing, the tester might examine the code for correct data handling and validation.

In continuous delivery, white box testing is essential for ensuring secure, efficient code in fast-changing codebases.

14. What Is The Difference Between Manual Testing And Automation Testing?

• Manual Testing involves human testers running test cases without automation tools, ideal for tasks requiring judgment, such as UI/UX testing.
• Automation Testing uses tools and scripts to perform tests automatically, reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.

Example: In manual testing, testers interact with a website to check a user flow, while in automation testing, scripts automatically run through the same tests.

The use of AI and machine learning in automation is expanding, allowing for smarter, more adaptive test automation, but manual testing still plays a critical role in usability and exploratory testing.

15. What Kind Of Skills Are Needed For Someone To Become A Software Tester?

To become a software tester, you need a combination of technical and soft skills, including:

• Attention to Detail: Spotting defects and inconsistencies is crucial.
• Analytical Thinking: Identifying issues based on the requirements and test scenarios.
• Communication Skills: Clearly documenting test results and communicating with the development team.

Knowledge of Testing Tools: Familiarity with tools like JIRA, Selenium, or QTP is valuable.

Basic Manual Testing Interview Questions For Freshers

When you’re starting out as a fresher in manual testing, you might encounter various concepts and terminology. It’s essential to understand these topics to clear interviews and succeed in your career. Below, you’ll find basic manual testing interview questions and answers that will help you prepare effectively.

16. Explain What Is Exploratory Testing, And When Do You Use It?

Exploratory testing is an unscripted approach where testers actively engage with the application to find defects, based on their intuition and experience. It is ideal when documentation is minimal or when quick feedback is needed during the early stages of development. This type of testing allows testers to identify unexpected issues that may not be covered in predefined test cases.

• Example: Testing a mobile app’s navigation flow under no internet conditions, which the developers may not have planned for.

This type of testing is valuable in finding hidden bugs and improving software quality in practical scenarios.

17. How To Explain Testing Process In Interview?

When explaining the testing process in an interview, start by outlining the key phases:

1. Test Planning: Define the scope, objectives, resources, and schedule for testing.
2. Test Design: Create detailed test cases and scenarios based on requirements.
3. Test Execution: Run the tests manually or using automation tools, documenting results.
4. Defect Reporting: Identify and report bugs or issues, providing clear steps to reproduce.
5. Retesting and Regression: After fixes, retest to ensure issues are resolved without affecting other areas.
6. Test Closure: Summarize testing results, document lessons learned, and prepare the final test report.

Highlight collaboration with teams, like developers and business analysts, and mention how you adapt to changing requirements. Explain how the testing process ensures software quality and performance before release, showcasing your systematic approach.

Also Read: Agile Project Tools 2025: Find the Best Software Now!

18. What Is A Test Case?

A test case defines the conditions under which a tester will evaluate the software. It includes specific inputs, actions, expected outcomes, and testing conditions. It ensures comprehensive coverage of features and validates software functionality.

• Example: A test case for a login page may include entering valid credentials and verifying if the user is redirected to the dashboard.

As development accelerates with CI/CD, test cases now need to be adaptable for frequent iterations, ensuring new features and bug fixes are validated efficiently.

19. What Is A Test Scenario?

A test scenario is a high-level description of a feature or functionality that needs testing. Unlike test cases, which are detailed, test scenarios provide a broader view, guiding the creation of specific test cases.

• Example: A test scenario for a login page could be "Verify the user can log in with valid credentials."

Test scenarios help prioritize testing areas, especially in Agile environments, where flexibility and quick feedback are crucial.

20. What Is Test Data?

Test data represents the values used during test execution to simulate real inputs and validate the software’s behavior under various conditions. High-quality test data ensures accurate testing results, especially for edge cases.

• Example: For an online shopping platform, test data could include multiple payment methods, varying shipping addresses, and different product categories.

With the growing importance of data privacy and GDPR compliance, test data management must now ensure that sensitive information is anonymized or simulated.

21. What Is A Test Script?

A test script automates the execution of test cases, improving efficiency by reducing human intervention. It is written using scripting languages or automation tools.

• Example: A test script could automate the process of submitting an online form with multiple inputs and verifying the server’s response.

With AI-driven automation tools gaining traction, test scripts are becoming more intelligent, adapting to dynamic user interfaces and improving test coverage in continuous delivery pipelines.

22. What Are The Advantages Of Manual Testing For Freshers Starting Out?

Manual testing offers hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of software behavior. As a fresher, it enables you to develop key skills such as:

• Exploring functionality: Identifying bugs in real-time without predefined scripts.
• User behavior analysis: Testing actual scenarios for usability.
• Low entry barrier: No need for complex tools or coding skills at the start.

For Agile teams, manual testing remains essential for quick feedback and to explore areas that automated tests can’t handle, especially early in development.

Code Snippet Example: Simple JavaScript for Manual UI Testing (Form Submission and Button Clicks)

// Simple JavaScript for testing a form submission and button click
document.getElementById("testButton").addEventListener("click", function() {
    // Simulating a button click for manual testing
    alert("Button clicked!");
});
function validateForm() {
    let name = document.getElementById("name").value;
    if (name == "") {
        alert("Name must be filled out");
        return false; // Form submission is blocked for invalid data
    }
    return true; // Form can be submitted if validation passes
}
// Example of manually testing form submission
document.getElementById("submitButton").addEventListener("click", function() {
    if (validateForm()) {
        alert("Form submitted successfully!");
    }
});

Output:

1. When you click on Test Button (id="testButton"):

• An alert will pop up with the message: "Button clicked!"

2. When you click on Submit Form (id="submitButton") with:

• An empty name field:
  • An alert will pop up with the message: "Name must be filled out".
• A non-empty name field:
  • An alert will pop up with the message: "Form submitted successfully!".

23. On the Other Hand, What Are the Drawbacks to Manual Testing?

Despite its advantages, manual testing also has some drawbacks, especially for fresher testers. These include:

• Time-consuming: Manual testing is slower compared to automated testing, especially for repetitive tasks.
• Prone to human error: Testers might miss bugs or overlook certain scenarios.
• Limited scalability: For large applications, it’s hard to manually test all features and scenarios efficiently.

With DevOps and Agile emphasizing speed, balancing manual testing with automation is essential to maintain testing efficiency and coverage.

24. Describe Your Approach To Regression Testing When New Features Are Added To An Existing Product.

For effective regression testing:

• Prioritize Core Features: Focus on high-impact areas that new features may affect.
• Automation: Automate repetitive regression tests to ensure consistent results and faster feedback.
• Test Coverage Review: Ensure that previously tested areas are covered by new tests.
• Incremental Testing: Perform incremental regression testing as new features are added to minimize testing overhead.

With the rise of CI/CD pipelines, regression testing has become more frequent and automated, ensuring that new features don’t disrupt existing functionality.

25. How Do You Write And Organize Test Cases As A Fresher?

Test cases are written to ensure that a specific functionality works as expected. A well-organized test case can provide clear steps to validate the function or feature and help in debugging when needed. Here’s how you can write and organize your test cases effectively:

Steps to Write and Organize Test Cases:

1. Test Case Title: This should be descriptive enough to summarize the functionality being tested.
2. Test Case ID: A unique identifier for each test case.
3. Test Case Description: A short description of what the test case will verify.
4. Preconditions: List any setup steps or conditions that need to be met before the test case can be executed.
5. Test Data: Specify the data inputs required for the test.
6. Steps to Execute: A detailed step-by-step guide on how to execute the test.
7. Expected Result: What you expect the system to do if it behaves correctly.
8. Actual Result: What actually happens during the test execution.
9. Status: Pass/Fail based on whether the actual result matches the expected result.
10. Remarks/Comments: Any additional information related to the test case, such as defects found.

Example Test Case (for simple UI testing in JavaScript):

Here is an example of how a simple test case for a login functionality can be written in JavaScript using a test framework like Jest:

describe('Login Functionality Test', () => {
  it('should redirect to the dashboard after successful login', async () => {
    // Simulate user inputs
    const username = 'user123';
    const password = 'password';
    // Call the login function
    const result = await login(username, password);
    // Check if the result matches the expected redirection
    expect(result).toBe('dashboard');
  });
  it('should show error for incorrect login credentials', async () => {
    // Simulate incorrect user inputs
    const username = 'user123';
    const password = 'wrongPassword';
    // Call the login function
    const result = await login(username, password);
    // Check if the error message is shown
    expect(result).toBe('Incorrect credentials');
  });
});
// Dummy login function
async function login(username, password) {
  if (username === 'user123' && password === 'password') {
    return 'dashboard';  // Redirect to dashboard
  } else {
    return 'Incorrect credentials';  // Error message
  }
}

Organizing Test Cases in a Tool:

In a Test Management Tool like JIRA or TestRail, you would enter these test cases in a structured format and assign them to specific versions, sprints, or modules. You would also track the execution of each test case and its status (pass, fail, blocked), helping your team stay organized and focused on testing goals.

If you're using JIRA, for instance, you can create a custom "Test Case" issue type and include fields like:

• Test Steps
• Expected Results
• Actual Results
• Test Execution Status

These tools can also integrate with automation frameworks and provide detailed reports on test case execution, making it easier to track progress and manage your testing efforts.

26. How Do You Approach Testing When The User Requirements Are Unclear Or Incomplete?

• Collaborate with Stakeholders: The first step is to engage with product owners, developers, and other relevant stakeholders to clarify any ambiguities and gather initial insights. This ensures that any uncertainties in the requirements are addressed early on.
• Analyze Existing Documentation: Review any available documents (e.g., previous user stories, wireframes, or specifications) to extract potential requirements or use cases that can guide your testing efforts. While these may be incomplete, they offer valuable context.
• Develop Assumptions: In the absence of complete clarity, make reasonable assumptions based on your understanding of the product, market, or industry best practices. 
  • Note: It’s important to document these assumptions clearly and communicate them with the team, ensuring transparency. This will help avoid misunderstandings later on.
• Use Exploratory Testing: Apply exploratory testing techniques to uncover potential issues. Leverage your experience to test the product from various angles and discover bugs or areas that need improvement. Exploratory testing allows for flexibility and can provide valuable insights when formal requirements are missing.
• Iterative Feedback: Maintain regular feedback loops with stakeholders to refine the requirements and adjust your test cases accordingly. As new information becomes available, update your test plan to ensure it aligns with the evolving understanding of the product.

Example: Pseudo-code for Exploratory Testing with Random Data

function generateRandomData() {
    // Random name generator (letters only)
    const name = Math.random().toString(36).substring(2, 15);
    // Random number for testing
    const number = Math.floor(Math.random() * 1000);
    // Random date
    const date = new Date(Date.now() - Math.floor(Math.random() * 1000000000)).toISOString();
    return { name, number, date };
}
function performTest() {
    let testData = generateRandomData();
    console.log('Generated test data:', testData);
    // Manually check functionality with random inputs
    // Example: Simulate form submission with random data
    submitForm(testData);
}
function submitForm(data) {
    // Assuming a function to submit form data
    console.log("Form Submitted with data:", data);
    // Mock some assertions for testing:
    if (data.number > 500) {
        console.log("Test Passed: Number is within acceptable range.");
    } else {
        console.log("Test Failed: Number is out of range.");
    }
}

Output:

Generated test data: { name: 'bsjdslaksd', number: 574, date: '2022-03-16T00:39:48.839Z' }
Form Submitted with data: { name: 'bsjdslaksd', number: 574, date: '2022-03-16T00:39:48.839Z' }
Test Passed: Number is within acceptable range.

27. Explain The Role Of Test Coverage In Manual Testing And How Do You Ensure Adequate Coverage?

Test coverage measures the extent to which the software's codebase and functionalities are tested. In manual testing, it involves ensuring that all code paths, branches, and conditions are exercised. To ensure adequate coverage:

• Review Requirements: Align test cases with all specified requirements.
• Design Comprehensive Test Cases: Create tests that cover various input scenarios and edge cases.​
• Utilize Traceability Matrix: Map test cases to requirements to ensure all are covered.​
• Perform Code Reviews: Collaborate with developers to identify untested code segments.​
• Conduct Regression Testing: Re-test existing functionalities to confirm ongoing coverage.

Also Read: Must Have Skills for Software Tester in 2024

With the basics in mind, let's now look at manual testing interview questions for experienced professionals.

Manual Testing Interview Questions For Experienced

As an experienced tester, you should demonstrate a deep understanding of manual testing concepts and best practices. The following interview questions cover advanced topics on testing procedures, methodologies, and strategies.

28. What Are The Best Practices For Writing Effective Test Cases For A New Feature?

• Understand Requirements: Deeply analyze feature specifications to identify all scenarios for testing.
• Define Clear Objectives: Ensure each test case addresses a specific requirement or user story.
• Use Descriptive Titles: Create clear titles for easy identification and future reference.
• Detail Test Steps: List precise steps, including input values and expected results.
• Set Preconditions: Specify the environment setup or configuration required before executing the test.
• Include Postconditions: Describe the system state after executing the test.
• Prioritize Test Cases: Focus on high-impact features and critical user flows.

With Agile adoption increasing, collaborative test case reviews have become key to enhancing test quality.

29. How Do You Validate The Usability Of A Product During Manual Testing?

Usability testing ensures the product is intuitive and user-friendly. Focus on:

• UI/UX Evaluation: Assess layout, navigation, and design for user-friendliness.
• Real User Feedback: Involve actual users to gather unbiased insights.
• Error-Free UI: Identify issues like broken links or confusing workflows.
• Accessibility Testing: Ensure compliance with accessibility standards, improving inclusivity.

As UX becomes a competitive differentiator, usability testing is integral in continuous delivery pipelines to rapidly iterate and improve the user experience.

30. What Are The Different Types Of Software Testing?

Software testing includes:

• Functional Testing: Validates core functionalities as per requirements. Example: Login feature.
• Non-Functional Testing: Assesses non-functional areas like performance. Example: Load testing under heavy traffic.
• Manual Testing: Human-driven tests, especially for exploratory or UI testing.
• Automated Testing: Tests executed by scripts or tools, best for repetitive tasks.

With Agile and DevOps emphasizing speed, shift-left testing ensures earlier testing integration, catching defects earlier in development.

31. What Are The Key Differences Between Functional And Non-Functional Testing, And When Would You Apply Each?

Functional and non-functional testing serve different purposes in ensuring the software meets both its technical and user requirements.

• Functional Testing ensures the application performs required tasks, such as login functionality or payment processing.
• Non-Functional Testing assesses aspects like performance, security, and usability, including activities like load testing or security vulnerability checks.

When to Apply:
Use functional testing early in development to validate core features. Transition to non-functional testing when preparing for scaling, optimization, or stress testing. With the rise of cloud-native applications, non-functional testing has become increasingly important, especially concerning scalability and security issues.

For Manual Testing Interview Questions for Experienced, you may be asked to explain both testing types in detail, demonstrating when and how to apply each approach to address different testing objectives effectively.

Also Read: Functional vs Non-functional Requirements: List & Examples

32. What Is Regression Testing, And Why Is It Important?

Regression testing ensures that changes (bug fixes, enhancements) haven’t affected the software’s existing functionality. This is vital after any code changes to confirm that new issues haven’t been introduced.

Example: After fixing a bug in the payment gateway, you’d run regression tests to verify the entire checkout process still works.

With CI/CD pipelines gaining traction, automated regression testing accelerates the testing process and ensures software stability with frequent updates.

Also Read: Different Types of Regression Models You Need to Know

33. What Is Equivalence Partitioning, And How Is It Used In Testing?

Equivalence Partitioning divides input data into valid and invalid partitions, reducing the number of test cases while ensuring broad coverage.

Example: If an input accepts values between 1–100, valid partitions are 1–100, and invalid partitions are below 1 or above 100.

This technique optimizes testing efforts and increases test efficiency, particularly in Agile frameworks where testing cycles are rapid.

34. What Is Boundary Value Analysis?

Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) tests edge values of input ranges, as they are more likely to introduce defects. By targeting boundaries, you can identify potential issues that lie at the extremes.

Example: For a system accepting values between 1–100, test values like 0, 1, 100, and 101.

BVA is increasingly critical in performance testing for systems requiring strict input validation under high-traffic conditions.

35. What Is The Purpose Of End-To-End Testing, And Why Is It Important?

End-to-End (E2E) Testing ensures that the entire system functions as intended in actual scenarios by simulating user interactions across the entire workflow.

Example: For an e-commerce site, an E2E test would verify a user searching for a product, adding it to the cart, and completing the checkout process.

As microservices architectures rise, E2E testing validates system-wide integration, ensuring components work cohesively.

36. What If An Organization’s Growth Is So Rapid That Standard Testing Procedures Are No Longer Feasible? What Should You Do?

When growth outpaces standard testing, consider:

• Adopting Agile Testing: Continuous testing throughout development, offering faster feedback loops.
• Prioritizing Test Cases: Focus on high-risk features first, deferring less critical tests.
• Implementing Automation: Automate repetitive tests to accelerate the process.

As organizations scale, test orchestration tools like Kubernetes are being adopted for streamlined, efficient testing in cloud environments.

Also Read: Top Software Developer Skills You Need to Have: How to Improve them

37. When Can You Say For Sure That The Code Has Met Its Specifications?

You can confidently say the code meets specifications when:

• All Test Cases Pass: Including edge cases and performance benchmarks.
• Requirements Are Fully Covered: Functional and non-functional requirements are tested.
• No Critical Defects: All high-priority defects are resolved.

This approach aligns with modern DevOps practices, where code quality is continuously validated with rapid feedback through automated tests.

38. How Would You Test The Security Aspects Of An Application Manually?

Manual security testing involves identifying vulnerabilities without automated tools. Steps include:

• Input Validation Testing: Test for SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other injection flaws by manipulating input fields.​
• Authentication and Authorization Checks: Verify that login mechanisms are secure and users have appropriate access levels.​
• Session Management Evaluation: Assess session handling for weaknesses like session fixation or hijacking.​
• Error Handling Analysis: Ensure that error messages do not expose sensitive information.​
• Business Logic Testing: Identify flaws in the application's business processes that could be exploited.

As cybersecurity threats grow, manual testing complements automated security tools by providing a human perspective on potential risks.

39. What Are The Phases Involved In The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)?

The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) is a subset of the broader Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and focuses specifically on the testing process. Here's a breakdown of the phases involved:

• Requirement Analysis: Understanding and analyzing testing requirements based on software specifications.
• Test Planning: Defining the overall testing strategy, scope, resources, timelines, and risk management.
• Test Case Design: Creating detailed test cases and test scripts to cover all possible scenarios.
• Test Execution: Running the test cases and recording the results to identify defects.
• Defect Reporting: Logging and reporting any defects or issues found during testing for resolution.
• Closure: Finalizing testing activities, preparing test reports, and ensuring all issues are addressed.

In essence, while the SDLC covers the full software development process, the STLC ensures that the software undergoes thorough testing throughout its lifecycle, meeting functional, performance, and security requirements. Both cycles collaborate to ensure the delivery of high-quality, reliable software.

40. What Is A Top-Down And Bottom-Up Approach In Testing?

When it comes to integration testing, two key approaches—Top-Down and Bottom-Up—offer distinct strategies for validating different layers of a software system.

• Top-Down Approach: This testing method begins by testing the higher-level modules of the software first, and lower-level components are simulated using stubs or mock objects. This approach is useful when the higher-level logic needs to be validated before integrating the underlying functionality. 

Example: Testing the user interface (UI) and interacting components before verifying the database or backend services.

• Bottom-Up Approach: In contrast, this method starts testing from the lowest-level components and gradually works up to the higher-level modules. Here, drivers are used to simulate the higher-level modules to ensure proper integration. 

Example: Testing individual functions or backend services first, then progressively integrating with the UI or other top-level components.

Both approaches are valuable in different contexts. The Top-Down Approach is often used when the focus is on user-facing features, while the Bottom-Up Approach is preferred when ensuring the stability of foundational components. In complex systems, especially in microservices environments, a combination of both is often used to ensure comprehensive integration testing.

41. What Is The Difference Between Static Testing And Dynamic Testing?

Static and Dynamic Testing are two essential approaches that focus on different aspects of software quality—one before execution and one during.

• Static Testing: This type of testing involves reviewing the software's code, design, or documentation without actually executing the code. It focuses on finding errors early in the development process, such as syntax mistakes, design flaws, or missed requirements. 

Example: Code reviews and walkthroughs, where developers or testers examine the codebase to identify issues like poor structure or inconsistent logic.

• Dynamic Testing: This testing involves running the software to verify its functionality and performance under different conditions. It helps to check whether the software behaves as expected when executed and interacts with other systems or components. 

Example: Functional testing, where the software is tested to ensure it performs the intended tasks, or performance testing, where the system is checked for speed and stability under load.

In summary, static testing helps catch defects early and reduces costs by addressing issues in the planning and coding stages, while dynamic testing validates the software's actual behavior and performance during execution.

42. What Is The Difference Between Functional Testing And Non-Functional Testing?

• Functional Testing: Focuses on verifying if the software behaves according to the requirements. Example: Checking if the login functionality works.
• Non-Functional Testing: Focuses on non-functional aspects like performance, security, and scalability. Example: Load testing to check how the system performs under heavy traffic.

Both types of testing ensure that the software works efficiently and meets user expectations.

43. How Do You Manage Test Documentation In Large Projects?

For large projects:

• Use Test Management Tools: Tools like Jira or TestRail help track test cases and defects.
• Categorize Test Cases: Group by functionality or modules for better organization.
• Version Control: Ensure test documentation remains current and traceable.

In Agile environments, real-time collaboration through tools like Confluence enhances documentation efficiency and accessibility.

44. What Challenges Have You Encountered In Testing A Product With Multiple User Roles, And How Do You Handle Them?

Testing applications with multiple user roles presents challenges like ensuring proper access control, data integrity, and functionality for each user type. To handle these challenges:

• Role-Based Testing: Design test cases for each user role to validate proper functionality and security permissions.
• Access Control Verification: Manually test to ensure users only have access to allowed functionalities and data.
• Conflict Handling: Ensure the system properly handles conflicting actions between user roles.
• Testing User Interactions: Verify that users from different roles can collaborate or interact within the system.

Given the rise of role-based security in cloud-based systems, test cases should also simulate real-time role changes to ensure the system reacts as expected.

45. How Do You Ensure That A Product Performs Well In Different Environments Or Configurations?

To ensure performance across various environments:

• Cross-Platform Testing: Test the application across multiple devices, operating systems, browsers, and network conditions.
• Virtualization: Use virtual machines or containerization to simulate diverse environments.
• Configuration Management: Document all required configurations and test against those settings.
• Automated Environment Setup: Leverage tools like Docker for consistent testing environments.

With cloud-based environments and growing use of hybrid systems, testing on various configurations has become more important to ensure reliability.

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Also Read: Skills to Become a Full-Stack Developer in 2025

46. Which Tool Is Used For Manual Testing?

Some tools used for manual testing and test management include:

• Jira: For bug tracking and test management.
• TestRail: For managing and organizing test cases.
• Bugzilla: A bug-tracking tool that helps manage defects.

These tools help streamline the testing process and improve efficiency.

47. What Are Entry And Exit Criteria In Testing?

Entry criteria define the conditions that must be met before testing begins. These criteria ensure that the system is in a stable state for testing, and that all necessary preconditions are fulfilled.
Steps to Set Entry Criteria:

• Code Completion: Ensure that the code is developed and unit tested.
• Requirement Availability: All functional and non-functional requirements should be clearly documented and available for review.
• Environment Setup: Test environments (hardware, software, tools) should be properly configured and ready.
• Test Plan Preparedness: Test cases and test data should be defined and ready for execution.

Example: A system is ready for testing only once the code is stable, all functional requirements are defined, and the testing environment is set up.
Exit criteria, on the other hand, define when testing can be concluded. They ensure that testing has been thorough and has met its objectives.
Steps to Set Exit Criteria:

• Defect Resolution: All critical defects must be resolved, or there must be an agreement on unresolved issues.
• Test Coverage Completion: All planned test cases, including edge cases, must be executed.
• Pass Rate: A specified pass rate for test cases (e.g., 95% of test cases must pass).
• Test Documentation: Test reports, defect logs, and other documentation should be completed and reviewed.

Example: Testing is concluded when all critical defects are fixed, test cases are executed, and the system meets the agreed-upon quality standards.

Entry Criteria Example:

Validating that the environment is set up properly before running tests.

// Entry Criteria: Validate environment setup before running tests
function validateEnvironment() {
    // Check if necessary software/services are running
    if (!isDatabaseConnected()) {
        console.error("Database is not connected. Cannot proceed with tests.");
        return false;
    }
    if (!isApiEndpointAvailable()) {
        console.error("API endpoint is down. Cannot proceed with tests.");
        return false;
    }
    if (!isTestDataAvailable()) {
        console.error("Test data is missing. Cannot proceed with tests.");
        return false;
    }
    console.log("Environment setup validated. Proceeding with tests...");
    return true;
}
function isDatabaseConnected() {
    // Simulate check
    return true; // Change this based on real connection check
}
function isApiEndpointAvailable() {
    // Simulate check
    return true; // Change this based on real endpoint status
}
function isTestDataAvailable() {
    // Simulate check
    return true; // Change this based on real data availability
}
// Run entry check
if (!validateEnvironment()) {
    console.log("Entry criteria failed. Exiting tests.");
} else {
    // Proceed with testing logic here...
}

Output:

• If all conditions are true (i.e., all checks return true):

Environment setup validated. Proceeding with tests...

• If any condition fails (i.e., one or more checks return false):

Database is not connected. Cannot proceed with tests.
Entry criteria failed. Exiting tests.

Exit Criteria Example:

Verifying that no critical bugs remain after testing.

function validateExitCriteria() {
    let criticalBugsRemaining = checkForCriticalBugs();
    if (criticalBugsRemaining) {
        console.error("Critical bugs detected. Exit criteria failed.");
        return false;
    }
    console.log("All critical bugs fixed. Exit criteria met.");
    return true;
}
function checkForCriticalBugs() {
    // Simulate bug check - you would ideally query a bug tracking system here
    let bugs = ["Bug #1", "Critical Bug #2", "Bug #3"]; // Include a critical bug
    let criticalBugs = bugs.filter(bug => bug.includes("Critical"));
    return criticalBugs.length > 0; // If there are any critical bugs, return true
}
// Run exit check after tests
if (!validateExitCriteria()) {
    console.log("Exit criteria failed. Additional work required before release.");
} else {
    console.log("Tests passed successfully. Ready for release.");
}

Output:

Critical bugs detected. Exit criteria failed.
Exit criteria failed. Additional work required before release.

48. What Is Functional Decomposition In Testing?

Functional decomposition involves breaking down a system into smaller, manageable components for testing. This allows testers to focus on specific functions of the system rather than testing everything at once.

• Example: Decomposing a payment system into sub-functions like payment gateway, invoice generation, and order confirmation for targeted testing.

It helps improve test coverage and ensures thorough testing of each component.

49. How Do You Assess The Quality Of A Test Case And Determine If It Effectively Evaluates Software Functionality?

To assess the quality of a test case:

• Clarity and Simplicity: Ensure the test case is easy to understand, with clear steps and expected results.
• Completeness: Verify that the test case covers all requirements, edge cases, and potential failure scenarios.
• Reproducibility: The test case should be reproducible, ensuring consistent results across test runs.
• Traceability: Ensure the test case is mapped to specific requirements or user stories for traceability.
• Independent Execution: A good test case can be executed independently without dependencies.

As Agile methodologies require rapid iterations, focusing on automated test case validation can improve coverage without sacrificing speed.

Now, let’s look at problem-driven questions designed to assess your practical manual testing knowledge.

Problem-Based Manual Testing Interview Questions

In manual testing, practical problems often arise that require effective decision-making and creative solutions. Being able to answer problem-based interview questions shows your ability to handle practical challenges in the testing process. This section will help you prepare for these scenarios with the appropriate strategies and insights.

50. How Will You Determine When To Stop Testing?

Stopping testing requires evaluating clear criteria:

• Test Coverage: Ensure all critical features have been thoroughly tested, especially in Agile environments where time is limited.
• Defect Discovery Rate: When no major defects are found after testing a reasonable amount of the system.
• Test Completion Criteria: All predefined entry and exit criteria are met, ensuring comprehensive testing.
• Risk Consideration: When continuing testing no longer justifies the resources, especially if risks are deemed low.

Recent Update: With CI/CD pipelines, testing often continues even after product releases, requiring adaptive decisions on when to stop, based on data-driven insights.

51. How to Explain a Manual Testing Project in an Interview?

Manual Testing Project: A Step-by-Step Approach

1. Project Overview

• Purpose: Briefly describe the project and the software being tested. What was the product, and why was testing critical for its success?

2. Your Role & Responsibilities

• Key Tasks:
  • Test Case Creation: Detail your involvement in writing comprehensive test cases covering all possible scenarios.
  • Test Execution: Describe your process of executing tests manually and validating results.
  • Defect Reporting: Explain how you identified and logged defects, ensuring clear communication for resolution.

3. Testing Process Walkthrough

• Test Planning: Discuss how you planned the testing phases, focusing on the strategy and methods used to organize tasks.
• Execution & Challenges: Walk through the testing execution, highlighting any obstacles you encountered. For example:
  • Requirement changes?
  • The need for exploratory testing to adapt to new features?

4. Collaboration & Communication

• Team Interaction:
  • Work with developers and product managers to clarify requirements or shift priorities based on evolving needs.
  • Share examples of how collaboration influenced your testing approach.

5. Outcome & Impact

• Results:
  • Identify key outcomes, such as detecting critical defects or improving user experience.
  • Emphasize how your efforts contributed to the overall success of the project.

6. Key Learnings & Improvements

• Reflection: Share lessons learned and how you adapted your approach to testing.
• Growth: Highlight any technical skills gained or improvements in efficiency as a result of tackling challenges.

Why This Approach Works:

• Demonstrates hands-on experience
• Highlights problem-solving skills
• Showcases adaptability and collaboration

By following this structure, you’ll effectively communicate both your technical expertise and your ability to overcome challenges in the manual testing questions and processes.

52. What Are the Cases When You’ll Consider Choosing Automated Testing Over Manual Testing?

Automated testing is effective in these scenarios:

• Repetitive Testing: Ideal for regression tests that need to run frequently.
• Large Test Suites: When testing across multiple environments with numerous test cases.
• Continuous Deployment: Frequent code changes demand automated tests for faster feedback.

Update: With the rise of AI-powered testing tools, automation is becoming more intelligent, reducing maintenance costs and making it easier to adapt to new requirements.

53. Why Is It Impossible To Test A Program Thoroughly Or 100% Bug-Free?

Complete testing is impossible due to:

• Complexity: Interactions between software components and user inputs create infinite test scenarios.
• Resource Constraints: Testing requires significant time, budget, and tools, often leading to prioritization.
• Changing Environments: Hardware and network conditions constantly upgrading.

Recent Insight: As Agile and DevOps practices accelerate release cycles, achieving 100% bug-free software is increasingly unfeasible, but early defect detection remains key.

54. What Methods Would You Use To Detect Performance Bottlenecks During Manual Testing?

When performing manual testing, detecting performance bottlenecks involves simulating real-world conditions and using various techniques to observe how the application behaves under different stress levels.

• Load Testing: Simulate multiple users interacting with the application to observe response times and load times.
• Stress Testing: Push the system beyond normal usage to identify breaking points and see how it behaves under extreme conditions.
• Monitoring Tools: Use network analyzers, browser developer tools, and resource utilization metrics to track CPU, memory, and bandwidth usage.
• Practical Scenarios: Test performance during peak usage or under slower network conditions to evaluate the real-user experience.

Update: Cloud-based tools like AWS Performance Testing now enable scalable load tests for distributed applications, enhancing accuracy in high-traffic environments.

Understanding What is Manual Testing and applying it to performance testing helps ensure that you can effectively detect and address performance issues before the product is released.

Also Read: The Ultimate Guide to Agile Methodology in Testing: Practices, Models, and Benefits

55. How Do You Handle Changing Requirements Midway Through Testing?

When requirements change:

• Reassess the Test Plan: Update tests to align with the new direction.
• Prioritize Critical Features: Focus on the most impacted areas.
• Continuous Testing: Leverage Agile practices to remain flexible and iterate quickly.

Current Practice: Teams using Jira and Confluence integrate stakeholder feedback in real-time, adjusting the test scope immediately to maintain alignment.

56. How Would You Approach Testing Under Tight Deadlines?

When working under tight deadlines, focus on:

• Risk-Based Testing: Identify high-risk areas and prioritize testing them.
• Test Case Prioritization: Focus on core functionalities and critical paths first.
• Efficiency: Use rapid test execution methods like session-based testing to quickly cover the essential areas.

Insight: Incorporating automated tests alongside manual efforts can expedite the process without compromising quality, especially under time constraints.

57. How Do You Ensure Effective Communication In A Large Testing Team?

Ensure communication by:

• Daily Standups: Keep the team updated with progress and challenges.
• Centralized Documentation: Use tools like Jira and TestRail to keep test cases and defects visible.
• Clear Reporting: Regular updates on defects and test results ensure alignment with development teams.

Insight: Integration with tools like Slack and Trello has improved real-time collaboration, ensuring teams stay agile and responsive.

58. How Do You Deal With Intermittent Bugs That Are Hard to Reproduce?

For intermittent bugs:

• Detailed Logs: Capture logs with relevant data to analyze patterns.
• Controlled Environment: Reproduce the bug in a stable environment to isolate variables.
• Monitoring Tools: Use advanced tools like New Relic to gather performance data and track irregular behavior.

Update: Incorporating AI-driven log analysis tools has significantly reduced the time spent on investigating and reproducing these elusive issues.

59. What’s The Role Of Risk Analysis In Determining Which Tests To Run?

Risk analysis helps prioritize testing by evaluating:

• Likelihood of Failure: Assess which components are most likely to fail based on past experience or complexity.
• Impact of Failure: Focus on testing areas that could have the most significant negative impact if they fail.
• Resource Constraints: Maximize test coverage within the available resources by targeting high-risk areas.

Recent Insight: Risk-based testing has become essential in Agile and DevOps pipelines, helping prioritize tests in shorter release cycles for faster feedback.

60. How Would You Test A Feature With Minimal Documentation?

When documentation is scarce, you can:

• Collaborate with Stakeholders: Engage with the product owner or developer to understand the feature’s purpose and expected behavior.
• Use Exploratory Testing: Investigate the feature’s behavior through trial and error, documenting what works and what doesn’t.
• Compare Similar Features: If the feature is similar to existing ones, use your knowledge of them to test the new feature.

Update: Agile teams often use pair testing to collaborate closely, ensuring faster knowledge sharing when documentation is scarce.

61. What Are Some Common Pitfalls When Testing A New Feature On Tight Timeframes?

Under tight deadlines, testers often face several challenges:

• Inadequate Test Cases: Rushed testing may lead to incomplete or poorly structured test cases, missing critical scenarios.
• Overlooking Regression Testing: Skipping tests on previously working functionalities can introduce new issues.
• Poor Documentation: In the rush, failing to document test cases or defects can result in confusion and lost insights.

Tip: To mitigate these issues, prioritize critical paths, and use risk-based testing to focus efforts on areas most likely to impact users. Leveraging automation for regression testing also speeds up the process without compromising coverage.

62. Have You Ever Had To Deliver A Project With Known Bugs? How Did You Decide Which Bugs To Defer?

When delivering with known bugs:

• Assess Severity and Impact: High-priority bugs affecting core functionality are addressed first, while minor ones may be deferred.
• Stakeholder Communication: Ensure stakeholders understand the deferred bugs and their impact on user experience.
• Defect Management: Maintain clear records of deferred issues, with timelines for fixing them post-launch.

Best Practice: Using Kanban boards and Jira can help visualize and prioritize defects, ensuring transparency in decision-making.

63. How Do You Handle Conflicts With Developers Regarding Defect Validity?

To manage disputes over defect validity:

• Provide Solid Evidence: Support your findings with logs, screenshots, and detailed reproduction steps.
• Collaborate Effectively: Engage in open discussions, focusing on solving the issue rather than assigning blame.
• Escalate When Necessary: If the conflict cannot be resolved, escalate to management with documented details.

Insight: Tools like Jira or Azure DevOps can streamline the defect tracking process, making it easier to have data-driven discussions with developers.

Also Read: What is Software Architecture? Tools, Design & Examples

64. How Do You Measure The Success Of A Testing Effort?

The success of a testing effort can be measured by:

• Test Coverage: Ensure that all critical functionalities have been tested.
• Defect Detection Rate: Measure how many defects were found during testing, particularly high-severity defects.
• Quality of the Final Product: If the product performs as expected with minimal post-release issues, the testing effort is considered successful.

Modern Insight: In Agile environments, tracking velocity and cycle time gives teams real-time metrics on testing effectiveness, allowing for continuous improvement.

65. What Is Your Approach To Post-Release Testing Or Maintenance Testing?

Post-release testing or maintenance testing involves:

• Monitoring Performance: Track how the software behaves in a live environment.
• Bug Fix Validation: Ensure that any post-release bugs are resolved without introducing new defects.
• Regression Testing: Test areas affected by updates or changes to ensure no unintended issues are introduced.

Recent Trend: With DevOps practices, continuous testing and integration have become essential for maintaining product quality across multiple release cycles.

66. Can You Explain The Importance Of Documentation Even In Agile Environments?

In Agile, even with fast-paced development, documentation plays a critical role in maintaining clarity and alignment across teams.

• Tracking Changes: Documentation helps track evolving requirements, test cases, and defect statuses, ensuring clarity despite frequent changes.
• Transparency: It maintains visibility for all team members, helping align development and testing efforts.
• Historical Reference: Documentation is useful for debugging, retrospective analysis, and planning future sprints.
• Insight: Agile teams leverage wikis and collaborative tools like Confluence and Jira to streamline documentation and ensure it's always up to date.

For Manual Software Testing Interview Questions, you may be asked how you handle documentation in Agile environments, demonstrating your ability to maintain comprehensive, up-to-date records that support effective testing and collaboration.

67. What Happens When Requirements Conflict With Each Other?

When requirements conflict, take these steps:

• Prioritize Based on Business Needs: Work with stakeholders to determine which requirements are most critical for the product.
• Negotiate Compromises: Find a solution that satisfies both requirements or defer some aspects.
• Document the Decision: Record the rationale behind the final decision to ensure clarity.

Best Practice: Using user stories and acceptance criteria in Agile methodologies helps clarify priorities and resolve conflicts early.

68. How Do You Handle Testing In Environments With Frequent Deployments?

Frequent deployments require:

• Automated Testing: Automating key test cases to quickly validate builds after each deployment.
• Continuous Integration: Use CI tools to trigger automated tests whenever a new version is deployed.
• Collaboration with DevOps: Work closely with the DevOps team to ensure smooth deployment and testing integration.

Update: Shift-left testing has gained momentum, allowing teams to start testing earlier in the development process to identify issues in real time.

69. What Is The Difference Between Exploratory Testing And Ad-Hoc Testing?

• Exploratory Testing: Simultaneously learning, designing, and executing tests based on intuition, experience, and the current system's state.
• Ad-Hoc Testing: Unstructured testing without formal planning or documentation, often focused on finding defects quickly.

Example: Exploratory testing is guided by test charters or areas of focus, while ad-hoc testing relies on random exploration to uncover unexpected issues.

Insight: Agile teams often combine both approaches for better adaptability and thorough defect detection during sprints.

70. Have You Used Any Risk-Based Testing Approach In Your Previous Projects?

Risk-based testing involves:

• Identifying High-Risk Areas: Focus testing on features or components most likely to fail or cause major issues.
• Prioritizing Tests: Allocate more testing resources to areas with high business or technical risk.

Recent Trend: With the rise of AI-driven test management tools, teams can now perform real-time risk assessments based on advancing project needs, ensuring targeted testing efforts.

71. What Are Some Best Practices For Testing Customer-Facing Applications?

Best practices for testing customer-facing applications include:

• User-Centric Testing: Test from the perspective of the end user to ensure the application is easy to use and functional.
• Cross-Browser Testing: Ensure compatibility across different browsers and devices.
• Performance Testing: Validate that the application performs well under load and stress.

Insight: With the increasing use of mobile-first design, responsive testing is critical for ensuring seamless experiences on all devices.

Code Snippet: Input Validation and Boundary Testing (JavaScript Example)

// Function to check if a number is within a specified range
function isInRange(value, min, max) {
  if (typeof value !== 'number') {
    throw new Error('Input must be a number');
  }
  return value >= min && value <= max;
}
// Example test case function for validating boundary conditions
function testIsInRange() {
  try {
    // Valid cases
    console.assert(isInRange(5, 1, 10) === true, 'Test Case 1 Failed');
    console.assert(isInRange(1, 1, 10) === true, 'Test Case 2 Failed');
    console.assert(isInRange(10, 1, 10) === true, 'Test Case 3 Failed');
    // Invalid cases
    console.assert(isInRange(0, 1, 10) === false, 'Test Case 4 Failed');
    console.assert(isInRange(11, 1, 10) === false, 'Test Case 5 Failed');
    // Boundary check for non-number input
    try {
      isInRange('a', 1, 10);
    } catch (e) {
      console.assert(e.message === 'Input must be a number', 'Test Case 6 Failed');
    }
    console.log('All tests passed!');
  } catch (error) {
    console.error(error);
  }
}
// Run the test case function
testIsInRange();

Output:

All tests passed!

In case any test fails, it will print something like this:

Test Case 1 Failed
Test Case 4 Failed
.....

72. Have You Ever Faced A Situation Where The Test Environment Was Unstable? How Did You Proceed?

When facing an unstable test environment, the following steps can help mitigate delays and keep the testing process on track:

• Document the Issue: Report the instability to the infrastructure or DevOps team for immediate investigation and resolution.
• Workaround: If possible, use alternative test environments to continue testing without major disruptions.
• Coordinate with Teams: Work closely with the development and operations teams to address and stabilize the environment as quickly as possible.

Trend: In cloud-based testing, the rapid provisioning of new test environments using Infrastructure-as-Code has become a key trend to minimize downtime and improve testing efficiency.

For Manual Testing Interview Questions and Answers, expect to be asked about handling unstable test environments and how you would approach the situation to keep testing on track, especially when collaborating with different teams.

Also Read: Agile Methodology Steps & Phases: Complete Explanation

73. Why Is It Impossible To Test A Program Thoroughly Or 100% Bug-Free?

Testing a program 100% thoroughly or ensuring it's bug-free is not feasible due to several factors:

• Complexity: The more complex a system is, the more variables come into play, making it impossible to test every single interaction.
• Changing Codebase: As the software upgrades with new features or fixes, new bugs may be introduced, which can't always be predicted.
• Limited Resources: Testing requires time, tools, and personnel. These resources are often constrained, leading to prioritization of high-risk areas over exhaustive testing.
• Unknown Unknowns: Some issues are inherently unpredictable until they arise in actual usage, even after comprehensive testing.

Update: Shift-left testing and continuous integration allow for earlier detection of bugs, but 100% bug-free software remains unrealistic.

74. Can Automation Testing Replace Manual Testing?

While automation testing offers significant benefits, it cannot entirely replace manual testing because:

• Exploratory Testing: Human testers can explore the software creatively, uncovering issues automation might miss, especially in unpredictable scenarios.
• UI/UX Testing: Manual testing is vital when assessing user interfaces and user experiences, which rely on subjective human judgment.
• Initial Testing Stages: Early-stage testing of a new application often requires manual testing to understand its features and to write appropriate automation scripts.
• Changing Requirements: Automation scripts can be costly to update with every requirement change, whereas manual testing can quickly adapt to new conditions.

While automation can handle repetitive tasks efficiently, manual testing remains indispensable for specific scenarios, particularly those requiring human intuition and flexibility.

75. How Do You Ensure That The Product Meets The Accessibility Requirements During Manual Testing?

To ensure a product meets accessibility requirements, manual testing should focus on verifying compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) and other relevant standards. Steps include:

• Keyboard Navigation Testing: Ensure the application is fully navigable using only a keyboard, with no reliance on a mouse.
• Screen Reader Compatibility: Test the application with popular screen readers (e.g., JAWS, NVDA) to ensure it reads out content correctly.
• Color Contrast and Visual Design: Check that text and background colors meet sufficient contrast ratios for readability, especially for users with color blindness.
• Alt Text for Images: Verify that all images and media elements have descriptive alt text for screen reader users.
• Error Handling and Notifications: Ensure error messages are clear, accessible, and can be read by assistive technologies.
• Responsive Design: Test the UI on different screen sizes, including for mobile users with disabilities.

AI tools are being integrated into manual testing to automate certain accessibility checks, but human testers still play a crucial role in validating complex usability aspects.

Having understood the challenges, here are some tips to enhance your performance in manual testing interviews.

Also Read: 55+ Mobile Testing Interview Questions For 2025

Tips to Ace Manual Software Testing Interview Questions

To excel in manual testing interviews, you must build a strong foundation in core testing concepts and showcase your problem-solving abilities. Preparation is key, and focusing on the following tips will help you stand out. 

Below are some essential tips and strategies to help you succeed in manual testing interviews:

• Master Core Concepts: Ensure you understand basic testing principles like test cases, test scenarios, and defect lifecycle.
  • Example: Be ready to explain when to use smoke testing versus sanity testing.
• Practice Problem-Solving: Prepare to answer scenario-based questions. Think critically and use practical examples to demonstrate your skills.
  • Example: How would you approach testing a mobile application with frequent updates?
• Refine Communication Skills: Clearly articulate your thought process, especially when explaining how you identify bugs or prioritize tests.
  • Example: Explaining how you log and track defects using tools like Jira.
• Know Testing Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with different testing types such as functional, non-functional, and regression testing.
• Research the Company: Understand the company’s products and the tools they use for testing. Tailor your answers to reflect how your skills align with their needs.
• Be Updated on Industry Trends: Familiarize yourself with the latest trends in testing, like AI-driven testing or cloud-based environments.
• Prepare for Hands-On Exercises: Be ready for practical tests where you may need to write test cases or identify defects in a sample application.

By focusing on these areas, you’ll be able to confidently tackle both technical and behavioral questions in your interview.

Also Read: Top 35 Software Testing Projects to Boost Your Testing Skills and Career

Conclusion

In conclusion, excelling in manual testing goes beyond theory. Focus on key areas like test case creation, defect tracking, and regression testing, while gaining hands-on experience with tools like Jira. Strong problem-solving and communication skills are crucial for collaborating with teams on complex issues. 

To prepare for manual testing interviews:

• Practice common interview questions regularly.
• Review key concepts like test planning, defect logging, and collaboration.
• Consider mock interviews to boost confidence and simulate real scenarios.

If you’re looking to advance your career and gain more in-depth knowledge, seek personalized guidance through upGrad’s career counseling. You can also visit an upGrad offline center for tailored advice and support to help you succeed in manual testing questions and interviews!

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References:

• https://testlio.com/blog/qa-statistics-devops/