Top-30 Manual QA Interview Questions (+Answers)

Anushree Chatterjee

Despite what many might claim, the role of manual QA is quite important, even in the era of automation. This is because software testing, though it looks easy, is actually a job for someone who can think creatively. Anyone can blindly test applications and yet not find anything noteworthy, but only a skilled few know how to effectively and creatively cover ground while staying time-bound.

If you’re reading this, then you’re someone aspiring to be a QA tester or are already one but looking to switch. Before we jump to the questions that you might be asked for your job interviews, here’s a recap of what a manual QA is expected to do.

Who is a Manual QA?

A Quality Assurance (QA) tester or Manual QA is responsible for testing software products to ensure they meet the specified requirements and are free of defects. This role is often the starting point for a career in software testing.

• Reviewing software requirements and specifications to understand the scope of testing.
• Creating and executing test cases that cover various scenarios, both positive and negative, to validate software functionality.
• Identifying/reporting bugs and issues in the software.
• Working closely with developers to resolve defects and ensure that they are properly fixed.
• Collaborating with the QA team to determine testing strategies and approaches.
• Participating in software testing and product release processes, including regression testing, integration testing, and acceptance testing.
• Keeping up to date with new software features, changes in technology and testing methodologies.

The job requires strong attention to detail, good analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to think creatively to design effective test cases. Manual QA testers must also have excellent communication skills, as they need to work closely with developers, product managers, designers, and other team members.

Types of Interview Questions

• General knowledge of QA and software testing (This includes terminologies, development processes, latest methods of testing, etc. It wouldn’t hurt to know a bit about automated testing as well.)
• Testing methodologies (This includes black box testing, white box testing, different types of testing, Agile, etc.)
• Different tools and techniques used during the processes
• Bug reporting and management
• Collaboration and communication (This involves scenario-based questions about interactions with various stakeholders like developers or product owners)
• Problem-solving and analytical skills (This again involves scenario-based questions)
• Continuous improvement and learning (This will involve questions about how you would get better at the role)

Manual QA Interview Questions

1. What experience do you have in manual testing?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer wants to know if you have some background in software testing. They might even try to see if you have some sort of achievement in this area, even if it’s at your education level, like a published paper/article.
Sample Answer: I have been working in manual testing for [insert number of years]. During this time, I have worked on various projects, ranging from simple to complex systems. I have hands-on experience in creating and executing test cases, documenting defects and working with developers to resolve them.

2. What is the difference between QA and Testing?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will ask you different questions about the nuances of software testing. Depending on the role you’re applying for, they may even ask you about specific terminologies, methodologies, techniques, and practices in the field.
Sample Answer: Quality Assurance refers to the overall process of ensuring the quality of a product, while testing refers to the specific activities of evaluating the product against its requirements. Testing is a part of QA but not the entire process.

3. Can you explain the software development life cycle (SDLC)?

Suggested Approach: Use these types of questions on SDLC to show that you don’t just work in a silo. As a tester, you are expected to work closely with developers. Knowing how their processes are going to be an added advantage.
Sample Answer: SDLC is a series of steps that software developers follow to create a software product. SDLC typically includes these phases: Requirements gathering and analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Deployment, and Maintenance. The testing phase is when QA testers get involved in the process to validate the software and ensure that it meets the specified requirements and is free of defects.
Helpful Resources: Understanding the Software Development Process, What is SDLC? The Blueprint of Software Success

4. Can you explain the software testing life cycle (STLC)?

Suggested Approach: Showcase your understanding of the testing lifecycle here. In fact, if you have had any experience with these stages, share them.

• Requirements analysis: understanding the requirements and specifications of the application.
• Test planning: creating a test plan that outlines the testing methodologies, techniques, and tools that will be used.
• Test design: designing test cases to validate the functionality of the application.
• Test execution: executing test cases and reporting any issues found.
• Defect reporting and tracking: reporting bugs and tracking their resolution.
• Test closure: evaluating the results of the testing process and documenting the findings.

Helpful Resources: Understanding the Software Development Process

5. What is the importance of creating test cases?

Suggested Approach: Creating test cases is going to be a core job for you. Familiarize yourself with the techniques and approaches to doing this efficiently. If you have any experience doing this, then share that as well to show the interviewer that you know what you’re talking about.
Sample Answer: Test cases serve as a blueprint for testing and help ensure that all aspects of the software are thoroughly tested. They help to identify any defects in the software and ensure that the software meets the specified requirements. Test cases also serve as a reference for regression testing and help to track the progress of testing.
Helpful Resources: How to Write Test Cases? (+ Detailed Examples), Test Cases and Test Suites: The Hierarchy Explained

6. What is a test scenario?

Suggested Approach: This again is one of those questions where the interviewer will try to guage how well-versed are you with the concepts of software testing.
Sample Answer: A test scenario is a high-level description of a test case from a real user’s perspective. It describes the overall flow of the testing process, including the various conditions and variables that need to be tested.

7. What is the difference between a test case and a test scenario?

Suggested Approach: Use analogies and examples to clarify wherever possible. This shows that you have understood the concept well.
Sample Answer: A test case is a detailed set of steps that a tester will follow to validate the product, while a test scenario is a high-level description of the testing process.
Helpful Resources: Test Scenarios vs. Test Cases: Know The Difference

8. How do you determine the test coverage for a particular software application?

Suggested Approach: Test coverage can be tricky and usually varies from project to project. Explain the parameters involved in deciding on this and try to use an example to do so.
Sample Answer: To determine the test coverage for a particular software application, you need to first identify all the functionalities in the application. Then, you need to create test cases that cover all the functionalities, both positive and negative scenarios. You can then compare the number of test cases created to the total number of functionalities, and this will give you an idea of the test coverage for the application.
Helpful Resources: What is Test Coverage?

9. What is regression testing? How is it important?

Suggested Approach: Another important part of your job is going to be regression testing. Explain the main aim of this form of testing. If you have any experience with this type of testing then share that too.
Sample Answer: Regression testing is a type of testing that is performed after making changes to the software to ensure that the changes do not cause any unintended effects on the existing functionalities. Regression testing is important because it helps verify that the software continues to work as expected, even after changes have been made to it.
Helpful Resources: What is Regression Testing?, The Difference Between Regression Testing and Retesting, Smoke Testing vs Regression Testing – Key Differences You Need to Know, Entry and Exit Criteria: The Gatekeepers of Successful Regression Testing

10. How do you prioritize testing when you have limited time?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to see whether you can look beyond your job. How good are you at making decisions, managing your time, and understanding project priorities?
Sample Answer: When faced with limited time for testing, prioritization is key. To prioritize testing, you need to consider the risk associated with each functionality and the impact that a defect in that functionality would have on the software. High-risk functionalities should be tested first, followed by medium-risk functionalities, and finally, low-risk functionalities.
Helpful Resources: Mastering Defect Management: Understanding Severity vs. Priority in the Life Cycle

11. Can you explain the difference between functional and non-functional testing?

Suggested Approach: Another core concept that you need to know is the different types of testing. If possible, explain different types of testing with the same example like driving a car, etc.
Sample Answer: Functional testing is testing the software to ensure that it works as per the specified requirements, while non-functional testing is testing the software for its performance, scalability, security, and other non-functional requirements.
Helpful Resources: Functional Testing and Non-functional Testing – What’s the Difference?, Functional Testing Types: An In-Depth Look

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

Suggested Approach: This question will tell the interviewer how comfortable you are with formulating test cases based on different approaches.
Sample Answer: Positive testing is testing the software to ensure that it works as expected, while negative testing is testing the software to ensure that it fails gracefully in case of unexpected inputs or conditions.
Helpful Resources: Positive and Negative Testing: Key Scenarios, Differences, and Best Practices

13. What is the difference between smoke and sanity testing?

Suggested Approach: These two forms of testing are frequently used, so you need to know the finer points. Explain your understanding of the concepts using examples or experiences.
Sample Answer: Smoke testing is a quick test to ensure that the most important functionality of the software is working, while sanity testing is performed after a small change or bug fix has been made to the software. Sanity testing is a more focused and limited form of testing compared to smoke testing, as it’s performed on a small subset of the software’s functionality.
Helpful Resources: Smoke Testing vs. Sanity Testing, What is Smoke Testing in Software QA?

14. What are the most important qualities for a manual QA tester to have?

Suggested Approach: For this, you need to understand the role of manual QA in the organization. The sample answer gives you the basic points that you should mention.
Sample Answer: A QA tester should have attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, good communication and collaboration skills, a strong understanding of software development processes and the ability to adapt to changing requirements and technologies.

15. Can you describe a challenging testing scenario you faced and how you dealt with it?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to assess how good you are at dealing with tough situations. There is no right or wrong answer here. The goal of this question is to assert whether the person had previously faced any tricky cases, and how they managed to solve them.

16. Can you explain how you design test cases and determine test coverage?

Suggested Approach: Explain step-by-step how you go about doing this.

• Review the requirements and specifications of the software.
• Identify the critical and high-risk areas of the software.
• Create test cases based on different scenarios, both positive and negative, that cover the critical and high-risk areas.
• Document the test cases and include information such as the objective, steps to perform the test, and expected results.

To determine test coverage, I use different techniques, such as coverage analysis and risk-based testing, to ensure that all the essential functionalities of the software have been tested and that there are no significant gaps in the test coverage. The goal is to achieve comprehensive coverage while also balancing the effort and resources required to perform the testing.
Helpful Resources: Test Design Techniques: BVA, State Transition, and more, Test Design and Test Coverage Techniques for Tech Leaders: How to Avoid Costly Mistakes

17. What tools and techniques do you use for bug reporting and tracking?

Suggested Approach: There is no right or wrong answer here. The goal of this question is to assess if the person is familiar with various tools needed to perform testing. You can even mention certification you’ve completed that may be relevant.
Helpful Resources: The QA Professional’s Guide to Managing Production Bugs, Test Reports – Everything You Need to Get Started

18. How do you ensure that software releases meet the required quality standards?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to see if you understand the implications of your work at a higher level. Use this opportunity to show that you understand quality standards directly impact the business and mention the steps you take to keep that checklist handy.
Sample Answer: We follow a structured approach that involves creating and executing test cases as early as possible, identifying and reporting defects, collaborating with development teams, and regularly monitoring the progress of the project. I also adhere to industry best practices for software testing and quality assurance, and actively participate in code and design reviews to catch any potential issues early in the development process.

19. Can you describe your experience with Agile software development methodologies?

Suggested Approach: Agile methodologies are widely used and hence, you must be familiar with them.
Sample Answer: I have experience working in Agile environments, including Scrum and Kanban methodologies. I have participated in sprint planning, daily stand-up meetings, and retrospectives. I understand the importance of collaboration, frequent delivery, and continuous improvement in Agile software development.
Helpful Resources: The Role of QA in Agile Development, A Roadmap to Better Agile Testing, Scrum vs. Kanban vs. Lean: Choosing Your Path in Agile Development, Higher Failure Rates for Agile Software Projects: A Comprehensive Analysis, Mastering Agile with BDD: Unleashing the Power of Behavior-Driven Development

20. Can you explain the importance of risk-based testing and how you would approach it?

Suggested Approach: Show that you understand the importance of assessing risk in projects and how it affects testing. Explain your understanding of risk-based testing with examples.
Sample Answer: Risk-based testing is a method of prioritizing tests based on the potential risks associated with a particular feature or functionality. The goal is to identify and focus testing efforts on the areas of the software that pose the greatest risk to the business, ensuring that the most critical issues are addressed first. In my approach to risk-based testing, I would first analyze the software requirements and identify potential risks, such as security vulnerabilities or performance bottlenecks. Then, I would prioritize the tests based on the level of risk and allocate more resources and time to the higher-risk areas. Thus, I will ensure that the most important issues are addressed first and that limited testing resources are used effectively.
Helpful Resources: Risk-based Testing: A Strategic Approach to QA, Minimizing Risks: The Impact of Late Bug Detection

21. How do you ensure that software is accessible and usable for people with special needs?

Suggested Approach: Explain the importance of accessibility testing and how you plan to incorporate it into your work. If you’ve had experience with this type of testing then share it as well.
Sample Answer: I follow industry standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and ensure that the software is tested using assistive technologies, such as screen readers, to identify and resolve any accessibility issues. I also work with design and development teams to incorporate accessibility considerations into the software development process from the very beginning.
Helpful Resources: What is accessibility testing?

22. What do you consider to be the most critical aspect of software testing?

Suggested Approach: Share your understanding of this question with the interviewer. If you have experience then use that as well while answering. Remember that testing is more than finding bugs, it’s about ensuring quality products for the users.
Sample Answer: The most critical aspect is thorough and comprehensive testing coverage to ensure that the software meets all its functional and non-functional requirements and that any potential bugs or defects are discovered and addressed before the software is released to the market.
Helpful Resources: Software Testing

23. Can you describe your experience with mobile app testing?

Suggested Approach: Mobile testing is in vogue, and you need to be familiar with it. Share your experiences or if you’ve done any courses in this avenue.
Sample Answer: I have extensive experience in testing mobile applications on both Android and iOS platforms. I have worked with a variety of mobile devices and testing tools, and I have a deep understanding of the unique challenges and considerations involved in mobile app testing, such as compatibility with different screen sizes and operating systems, performance, and usability. I have also been involved in the testing of both native and hybrid mobile apps.
Helpful Resources: Mobile Testing: Where Should You Start?, Choosing the Best Mobile Testing Option: Real Devices vs. Emulators, Mastering Mobile Web Testing: Strategies, Tools, and Best Practices

24. Can you explain how you would test a REST API?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to gauge if you’ve got any experience in API testing. Share your experience and understanding of the same.
Sample Answer: I would start by identifying the requirements and understanding the functionality of the API. Then, I would create test cases to validate the API’s functionality, including positive and negative test cases to check for expected and unexpected behaviors. I would also check for proper error handling and validate the API’s response codes, data format, and data consistency. Additionally, I would use tools such as Postman to send API requests and verify the responses.
Helpful Resources: API Testing, The best API Testing Tools

25. Can you describe your experience with database testing?

Suggested Approach: Understanding about databases is important. Try to study more on this topic. If you have experience in this type of testing, share it with the interviewer because it will show your versatility as a tester.
Sample Answer: I have experience with database testing, including designing and executing test cases to validate the data storage and retrieval processes, ensuring data accuracy and integrity, and working with SQL queries to validate data in the database.
Helpful Resources: Database Testing

26. How do you work with developers to resolve defects and ensure they are properly fixed?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to gauge your communication skills and understanding of the process. You can even share instances where you were able to collaborate effectively with developers to get proper fixes.
Sample Answer: When working with developers to resolve defects, I first clearly communicate the issue, provide relevant details and documentation, and then collaborate with them to find the root cause of the problem. I then verify the fix and make sure that it meets the quality standards and requirements before marking the defect as resolved. This approach helps to ensure that the defects are properly fixed and prevents reoccurrence in the future.
Helpful Resources: Best Practices for Creating an Issue Ticket, 7 Most Common Engineering Bugs and How to Avoid Them, The Strategy to Handle Defects in the Agile Development Methodology

27. Can you explain the importance of test documentation and how you maintain it?

Suggested Approach: Explain the purpose of documentation as a way to record facts and system behavior. You can share how it acts as a guide for new joiners. Share instances where doing this has helped you.
Sample Answer: Test documentation is important in software testing as it serves as a record of the testing process and results. It helps to ensure that the tests are repeatable and provides valuable information for future reference. To maintain test documentation, I follow best practices such as regularly updating the test cases and test results, using a version control system to keep track of changes, and ensuring that the documentation is easily accessible and readable for all stakeholders.

28. How do you prioritize and manage your testing tasks and responsibilities?

Suggested Approach: Use your knowledge of different test artifacts, like test plans, strategies, etc. that are used to streamline the testing process. Explain how they help you prioritize your work. Also, share personal time management strategies like time boxing or tools like Jira that help you complete your work.
Sample Answer: I create a detailed testing plan that outlines the scope, objectives, and timeline for each task. I also regularly communicate with my team and stakeholders to understand their priorities and adjust my testing plan accordingly. I use project management tools such as Trello, Jira, or Asana to track my progress, ensure deadlines are met, and maintain visibility into my testing tasks. Additionally, I prioritize high-risk and high-priority tasks and make sure to allocate adequate time and resources to ensure their successful completion.
Helpful Resources: Test Plan Template, Test Strategy Template, Navigating the QA Roadmap: Understanding Test Plan vs Test Strategy, How to Improve QA Efficiency?

29. Can you explain how you would test a new feature or functionality in a software product?

Suggested Approach: The interviewer will try to gauge your personal style to see if you pay attention to details and follow a systematic approach.
Sample Answer: I would first thoroughly review the requirements and specifications to understand what the feature is supposed to do. I would then create a comprehensive test plan that outlines the testing approach, test cases, and expected results. Next, I would perform various tests to verify that the feature is working as intended, including functional testing, compatibility testing, and performance testing. Throughout the testing process, I would document any bugs or issues that I find and work with the development team to resolve them. Finally, I would document the test results and present them to the stakeholders.

30. Can you explain how you would test a chatbot or conversational interface?

Suggested Approach: In such questions, try to understand the kind of application the interviewer wants you to look at. Make a mental note of the aspects of that application (in this case, chatbot) and then mention your approach to covering maximum test scenarios.
Sample Answer: I would thoroughly examine the chatbot’s functionality, including testing its ability to handle various inputs, understand and process user requests, provide accurate and relevant responses, and handle unexpected or edge cases. I would also test the chatbot’s integration with other systems, its performance, and its error handling and logging capabilities.

Additional Resources

• Manual Testing Cheat Sheet
• Manual Testing: A Beginner’s Guide
• Is There any Future for Manual Testing?
• Manual Testing vs Automation Testing: What’s the Difference?

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