Top 100 Manual Testing Interview Questions And Answers For 2024

Introduction

Manual testing in the software development industry is growing rapidly every single year. Entrepreneurs are looking for ways to solve end-user problems, digitally. As a result, the demand for manual software testers is rising day by day. If you are a technology enthusiast and want to become a manual tester for B2B software development companies, then this is the right article for you.

In this article, we will share the top 100 interview questions that you can prepare to confidently create an everlasting impression on your recruiters. We cover all the areas of interest, starting from the basics and moving up towards the more advanced concepts. So let’s dig into it and let’s get started.

List of Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What is manual testing?

Manual Testing is the process of testing the performance, quality, security, and other aspects of software before it is released into the marketplace. In manual testing, a QA tester usually analyzes, plans, executes, and reports the performance of software under various test case scenarios. By doing so, he/she identifies potential risks, flaws, bugs, and glitches within the software in its developmental phase. As a result, developers of the software/application can fix those issues beforehand ensuring a seamless end-user experience. 

2. What are the advantages of manual testing over automated testing?

Manual Testing vs Automation Testing is a critical aspect of software quality assurance. Manual testing has some serious advantages over automated testing. The rise of automation testing has indeed become a real challenge to human efforts, nevertheless, it can never replace it. Artificial Intelligence may write its code. However, a human is required to analyze, understand the requirements, and instruct the automated tool on how to approach the testing of software. And when the tests are done it is again the human comprehensive abilities that will determine where exactly the software needs improvement. So, the advantage of manual testing over automated testing is that it offers human insights, creativity, and analytical abilities that automated tools lack.

3. What is the software testing life cycle (STLC)?

STLC or Software Testing Life Cycle is an integral part of SDLC or Software Development Life Cycle. In STLC, a sequence of activities is carried out one after the other to ensure the quality of the software or the product is not compromised. The STLC process is dependent on the team of QA testers who decide what tests are to be performed.

4. What are the phases involved in the software testing life cycle?

Well, the STLC may involve as many phases as required, based on the unique requirements of an individual project. But mainly 6 phases are the most important ones. They are:

• Requirement Analysis
• Planning Test Scenarios
• Developing Test Cases
• Setting up the Test Environment
• Executing the Tests
• And, Test Cycle Closure

5. What is the difference between verification and validation?

Verification is a static practice of analysis technique. In verification, QA testers perform a test without involving any code review. Examples to help understand verification would be: Reviewing, Inspecting, or just having a walkthrough.

Validation is a more dynamic practice of analysis technique. In this method, codes are involved, examined, tested, and validated. A QA tester must check the codes and understand whether there is any potential risk or not. For example, validation includes various forms of technical and non-technical testing.

6. What is the purpose of test cases in manual testing?

Test Cases are documents that contain all the necessary testing data, requirements, expected outcomes, and pre and post-conditions of a test. The purpose of having this documentation is to observe, understand, and record the way software functions under a particular situation. It is helpful to comprehend whether the software meets its specified requirements or not. And it further gives us a deeper insight into the potential risks and bugs the software may have.

7. What is a test plan in manual testing for example?

Test Planning is the second phase of every software testing life cycle. In this phase, the team of testers comes together to define and determine the objective, scope, strategy, etc. of an individual project.

For instance, the test plan for banking software will include testing its security features, UI/UX experience, load testing to determine the functionality under pressure, etc.

8. What is the difference between test cases and test scenarios?

Test scenarios and test cases are two different things but of the same nature. However, the fundamental difference between test cases and test scenarios is that A test case is more like a documentation of the instructions that should be followed to test the functionality of the software. Whereas test scenarios are highly detailed and specific descriptions of how a particular feature of a particular software must work.

9. What is the importance of a Test Strategy document?

A test strategy document is the documentation of the requirements of a project strategy. So one can understand that the importance of this document is to have a complete understanding of the test approach, the tools it requires, the targets to reach, the timing of the activities, and more.

10. Who prepares test strategy documents?

The test strategy document in manual software testing is usually prepared by the project manager or the testing manager of the team.

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

Positive testing is when a response is received from valid data input. Negative testing is when a response is received from invalid data input. For example, if a software accepts only Alphanumeric entries, it will give a positive response from alphanumeric inputs. But in case of any other special characters, the response will be nullified.

12. What is the test environment?

A test environment is an interface where the test designs are executed. It is curated by implementing several hardware, software, and network configurations.

13. Why do we need a test environment for testing?

A test environment is a crucial aspect of manual software testing. It allows the team of testers to execute, analyze, and identify bugs and potential risk factors that may be present in software.

14. Boundary value analysis belongs to which testing method?

Boundary Value Analysis or BVA belongs to Black Box Testing Method.

15. What is boundary value analysis in manual testing?

Boundary Value Analysis is a technique of software QA analysis, where errors are detected at the extreme limits of a set input domain. For instance, if the minimum age limit of software is 18, the performance of the software will be tested with values just above or below the minimum age limit. 

16. Explain equivalence partitioning and how it is used in testing.

Equivalence partitioning is another black box technique for software manual testing. In this technique, testers can club data into classes or groups and input it into the software. This technique allows the testers to save time and reduce the number of tests while helping them achieve comprehensive coverage.

17. What is a test oracle and what is it used for?

Test Oracle is a methodology that determines if a software test execution is carried out properly or not, for a particular test case. It is used to compare the oracle information (which is the expected output) with the actual outcome to determine if the test has passed or failed.

18. Define exploratory testing.

Exploratory testing is a process of software testing where a tester uses his/her comprehensive abilities to learn and discover the bugs of a software, without the help of any test script or cases. It is done to make sure that the software is error-free after all the other tests have been executed.

19. What is the purpose of ad-hoc testing?

Ad-hoc testing is another mode of software manual testing where the tester’s intuition is prioritized to find bugs and potential errors. Just like exploratory testing, in the ad-hoc method, the tester defies the use of any formal method of software testing and simply finds errors using his/her experience in the field.

20. What is smoke testing and when is it done?

Smoke testing is a testing type that determines if the crucial parts of the software are working or not. It is also known as confidence testing or build verification testing. It is usually done between two test executions to see if it is ready for the following test or not.

21. What is sanity testing, and when is sanity testing performed?

Sanity testing is a mode of software testing that is very quick and simple. In this type of testing, the base of software (codes) is tested to check whether it is a stable build or not. It is usually done on software when there have been some changes made in the codes of the software. It is done to ensure that the new set of codes is running properly and creating no bugs or glitches.

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

The difference between Smoke testing and Sanity testing is that: In smoke testing, the crucial parts of a software are tested to check whether they are ready for the next test (set of tests) or not. In the case of Sanity Testing, when a new feature is added to the software, that new feature is tested to check whether the whole software is stable for use or not.

23. Define regression testing.

Regression testing is a re-run of tests previously done on software. It includes a lot of functional and non-functional tests to be run on a developed software. The purpose of regression testing is to ensure that the software is still performing how it is expected to perform.

24. What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing?

To put it in casual terms: Functional testing is a set of tests run on a product to ensure that the software is meeting its performance requirements. While non-functional testing is testing general features of the software that are going to affect the end-user experiences.

25. Define test coverage and its types.

Test coverage refers to the percentage of code that is to be tested and whether or not the available test cases will be able to cover all the lines of code present in a software application.

There are four types of test coverage:

• Statement Coverage
• Decision Coverage
• Branch Coverage
• Toggle Coverage

26. What is defect severity in testing?

Defect severity is the method of determining the impact of a defect or a bug on the system’s functionality that can affect end-user experiences. It is also known as Bug Severity.

27. What is a latent defect in testing?

Latent defects are those hidden defects that do not come up during the testing phase but later reveal themselves during an operational environment.

28. What is test data in manual testing?

Test data is a document (or set of documents) containing all the relevant data required for the test cases to check if an application is running properly. Manual testing, helps testers to organize the tests easily by referring to the document. 

29. What is a test execution report?

Test execution report refers to the summary of the status of tests completed. It is usually done by taking out the ratio between the number of tests executed to the total number of tests planned. It is mainly maintained by the team of testers to keep track of progress made in the testing schedule.

30. What is test summary report software testing?

The test summary report software testing is a test closure report that is prepared for the stakeholders. It includes all the relevant information regarding the tests executed and the ugs detected.

31. What is the purpose of the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)?

The purpose of the Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM) is to document the relationship between requirements and artifacts. It is produced to make sure that the requirements have been fulfilled. The RTM contains information on requirement fulfillment, tests, test results, issues, bugs detected, and more.

32. Who is responsible for the requirements traceability matrix?

The person responsible for the Requirements Traceability Matrix is the Test Engineer who is in charge of the configuration control.

33. Explain the difference between a test plan and a test strategy.

The difference between a Test Plan and a Test Strategy is a very simple one: The Test Plan is a document prepared to define the scope, approach, emphasis, and objective of a test. However, Test Strategy is the set of guidelines that is used to describe the design of the test and the steps to perform it.

34. What is the Test Design document in manual testing?

A test Design document, as the name suggests, is a document used in manual testing. It contains all the necessary and complex information required to describe a testing process, the list of inputs, and the set of outcomes expected.

35. What is the difference between a bug and a defect?

When an error is detected at any given developmental stage of software, it is called a bug.

A defect is when there is a mismatch between the expected outcome/response and the actual outcome/response of the software.

36. Explain the significance of a Test Policy.

Testing policy is a crucial piece of documentation for any organization to have. It expresses the overall vision, goals, principles, and motto of the software testing practices of an organization. It also defines the roles and responsibilities of a team, the criteria to hold a certain position, and more such information.

37. What is a test case template, and how is it helpful?

A test case template is a piece of content or an organized document that contains information or instructions on all the different test scenarios that are required to check if the software meets its expected functionality or not.

38. What is the main difference between static and dynamic testing?

The main difference between Static and Dynamic Testing is that: In Static testing, the overall features are checked. A tester will simply walk through the software application and test check for bugs. There is no testing of codes involved in Static Testing.

Dynamic testing, on the other hand, is where the code of the software is thoroughly tested. In this testing method, testers find bugs to fix them.

39. What is the test basis of manual testing?

In manual testing, Test Basis refers to the source of information or the piece of documentation that plays an important part in writing the Test Cases. The test basis in manual testing is also important for test analysis purposes. 

40. What is the v model in software testing?

The V model in Software Testing refers to the SDLC model of testing where the test execution happens hierarchically. In this model of software testing, there is a two-way directive of data-building between a particular value in the template and another particular value in the data properties.

41. What is the Waterfall model in software testing?

The term Waterfall Model in software testing was coined keeping in mind the movement of water falling from a cliff or an edge of a higher surface. It refers to the similar logical and sequential approach to SDLC or Software Development Life Cycle which is linear and based on a logical progression of the software’s development.

42. What is an agile model in software testing?

Just as the name suggests, the Agile mode of software testing refers to the mode of testing which is flexible, versatile, or swift. In this process of software testing large tasks are broken down into smaller iterations or parts that do not involve any long-term planning.

43. Define test data management in manual testing.

In manual testing, Test Data Management refers to the process of providing collected data from various QA tests to the team of developers throughout the Software Development Life Cycle.

44. What are two reasons for test data management?

The two main reasons why Test Data Management is crucial for SDLC are as follows:

• It provides a thorough and organized reading of the software’s development. Thus, it helps in identifying potential risks and hidden bugs to fix them.
• It lowers the company’s compliance and security risks, making the software development process more a cost-effective deployment process.

45. What is a test deliverable in manual testing?

Test Deliverables represent the list of tools, equipment, and other necessary documents required to support testing activities in a project. Test Deliverables may be readily available or may need to be created according to what the project demands. However, Test Deliverables are necessary before, during, and after the testing is performed.

46. What is a test strategy in manual testing?

Testing Strategy refers to a complex piece of content including a high-level plan, detailed guidelines on how to approach a test, what outcome is expected, and so on. It is a highly structured approach to QA testing to achieve most objectives effectively and efficiently.

47. What is the importance of test metrics in manual testing?

Test metrics are important in software testing as they help the team of QA testers have a clearly defined goal with a quantifiable number attached to its failure or success. To measure or monitor the testing activities, progress made, productivity of the team, quality of the tests, etc. test metrics are highly essential.

48. Explain the concept of test estimation.

Test Estimation is the management activity that provides a forecast of the expected time, budget, resources, expenses, etc. required to perform a test execution in a given test scenario or environment.

49. What are the test management tools and their usage?

There are several test management tools available like SpiraTest, TestRail, XRay, Zephyr Scale, PractiTest, etc. SpiraTest is used for managing test cases, scenarios, bugs, requirements, etc. through graphical representation. TestRail is another tool that offers tracking and managing of the whole software testing process. There are several tools like that to manage the SDLC efficiently.

50. What is a test data repository?

Test data repository in manual testing refers to an umbrella of test cases that verifies the key variations of a testing process. It comprises information regarding the initial states, probable scenarios, interactions between users and systems, etc. A test data repository contains all the necessary information about these variations.

51. Define test control and its significance in software testing.

Test control is when QA testers take corrective actions on reviewing reports of previously done tests, to improve the quality and efficiency of the software. The significance of test control is that it helps testers understand whether the tests are progressing in the right direction or not. 

52. What is test execution in manual testing?

Test execution is materializing all the test cases, scenarios, strategies, etc. to track any form of bugs, errors, or potential risks.

53. How do you minimize your test execution time?

There are several ways to minimize manual test execution time. However, one of the best ways, for me, is to use automated tools for heavy, repetitive, large-scale testing procedures.

54. Explain test closure activities.

Test closure activities refer to the concluding tasks of a test execution. It mainly includes the summary of all tests conducted in formal documentation. It offers information and perspective on all the objectives met, the test coverage, bugs/errors found, total cost, total time taken, and more.

55. What is a test log in manual testing?

The test log refers to the final summary report that contains all the information regarding testing activities and the outcomes achieved. This report gives the stakeholders an idea about the test cases executed, test results, test environments, bugs found, errors fixed, etc.

56. What is the defect life cycle in software testing?

Defect Life Cycle refers to the number of steps taken in the SDLC to fix a detected bug. It includes all the steps from the bug identification to its resolution in the software development process.

57. What is the difference between test control and test monitoring?

Test monitoring is simply keeping track of all the test cases executed, progress made, bugs identified, and more. Whereas, test control refers to the steps taken after reviewing the reports from test monitoring. 

58. What is a test environment management plan?

Test environment management plan refers to the planning and managing of necessary resources required in the software testing process. For instance, finalizing the hardware resources, user stores, databases, test data, operating systems, etc.

59. What is risk-based testing in software testing?

Risk Based Testing in manual software testing refers to the process of developing software strategy, prioritizing the risk of failure in a particular feature or a function of the software.

60. What is a test automation framework?

Test automation framework refers to the set of guidelines that need to be followed while using automated tools for building test cases.

61. Why test automation framework is needed?

A test automation framework is needed to accelerate the speed, efficiency, test accuracy, etc. to reduce the possibility of risks.

62. Why exploratory testing is required for agile projects?

Exploratory Testing is where the tester uses his/her experience and intuition to test the quality of software. It is required in agile projects as it offers constant feedback to the developers of the project and helps them understand how to make the software more efficient. As exploratory tests can be executed freely, they do not require pre-curated test cases and that is another advantage of these tests.

63. What is test planning in software testing?

Test planning in software testing refers to a document that contains all the information regarding the catalog, test strategies, objectives, schedules, deadlines, estimations, etc. In other words, it is a blueprint for running all the tests to validate the performance of software.

64. What is the significance of test planning and control?

Test Planning is the process of having a defined objective for software testing. Test control is a continuous process of checking the progress made in real-time with the testing plan. The significance of test plan and test control is that it ensures that all the tests are executed according to the plan. In other words, it helps keep track of the test coverage achieved in the software testing process.

65. Describe test case execution.

Test execution refers to the ongoing activity of identifying bugs, errors, and potential risks of software in its developmental stages.

66. What is test scheduling in software testing?

Test Scheduling in software testing refers to making a list of activities, and test processes, identifying bugs, deadlines, etc. to complete the software QA testing process. 

67. What is a test repository in manual testing?

Test Repository in manual testing refers to the storage of all the test documentation involved or produced during a particular project.

68. What are test estimation techniques?

Test estimation refers to the efforts required to complete a prioritized task. Test estimation techniques may include various methods, approaches, and procedures to determine the effort and time required to complete the testing activities in the software development process.

69. What is test monitoring in manual testing?

Test monitoring in manual testing refers to the process of evaluating test proceedings and providing continuous feedback for the same. It helps check the progress of the testing procedures and ensures the test goals are achieved.

70. Explain test automation and its benefits.

Test automation refers to the process of testing the quality of software using automated tools and techniques. The benefit of test automation is that it reduces the time consumed on repetitive tests, and increases the test efficiency, accuracy, and speed.

71. What is test risk analysis in software testing?

Risk analysis refers to the process of determining and identifying potential risk factors in an application or software.

72. What is test data preparation?

Test data preparation refers to the process of using selected information gathered from an existing database and then manipulating, generating, or editing the information for executing test cases.

73. What is the difference between a test summary and a test log?

Test log refers to the raw data collected after a test execution. A test summary is the representation of the data collected as a test log-in in the form of a summary.

74. What are the common types of test case review defects?

The most common test case review defects that can show up during manual testing are Missing Negative Test Cases, Incomplete Test Cases, Incorrect Test Data, Grammatical Errors, and more.

75. How do I know if my test case is good?

A test case is considered to be good when:

• It meets the requirements of the project
• It is precise and accurate
• It does not use any unnecessary steps
• Its steps are traceable
• Numerous tests can be performed on the same test case

76. What is the formula for review effectiveness in testing?

Review Effectiveness or Efficiency can be measured by the following formula:

(number of defects identified in review)/(number of total defects) * 100

77. What is a good quality ratio?

A good quality ratio is usually higher than 1.0.

78. What is defect management in manual testing?

Defect management refers to the systematic approach of identifying bugs, and resolving them during the Software Development Life Cycle.

79. What are the stages of defect management?

There are three stages of defect management in software manual testing. They are:

• Prioritize Defect
• Resolve Defect
• Report Resolution

80. Explain test execution management.

Test execution management refers to the systematic approach followed by the QA testers to ensure that the list of tests is executed according to the test plan produced.

81. What are test execution tools?

Just as the term suggests test execution tools refer to those tools that help run the tests on a software. Test execution tools may have a variety of features including record, capture, compare, etc.

82. What makes a good test manager?

A person is considered to be a good test manager in software testing when he/she is skillful in strong and didactic communication, and analytics, can conduct exploratory testing, has a high level of problem-solving, adaptable and influential towards his/her team. More skills can be acquired to become a high-quality test manager in the field.

83. What are the key activities of the test manager?

The key activities of a test manager involve:

• Developing test planning and strategy as per the requirement
• Team or resource management
• Supervising test execution and reporting
• Communicating with the stakeholders
• Management of potential risks
• Quality Assurance

84. What is the role of a test program manager?

The role of the test program manager is to check the functionality of the new software and validate if they are ready for end-users or not.

85. What skills does a tester need?

A tester must have a basic knowledge of programming, Agile testing, Software Development Life Cycle, Cross Browser & Cross Platform Testing, tools and techniques of manual testing, etc.

86. Describe test automation tools and their features.

Test automation tools are applications developed to verify whether the functional and non-functional aspects of software are working or not. Test automation tools are usually run by producing a test script directing it to test the features of the newly developed software.

87. What is a test completion report?

Test completion report refers to the summary of the test executed, results obtained, bugs detected and fixed. It is usually produced after all the tests are completed according to the test plan.

88. What is a test completion certificate?

After the completion of manual testing, a certificate is issued by the Data Communications Company to the party who has completed the test. This certification is called test completion Certificate.

89. What is test result analysis in software testing?

In the software manual testing process, test result analysis refers to the process of analyzing test architecture, design, and other artifacts to determine the test base conditions. It is done to understand the requirements of a project and define the test objectives.

90. What are the major tasks of test monitoring and control?

The major tasks of test monitoring and control include:

• Providing constant feedback to the team
• Communicating with the stakeholders
• Create reports of the outcome of the tests performed
• Identifying and setting up test metric

91. What is test process improvement?

Test process improvement refers to the process of checking and analyzing the testing processes and identifying points of rectification. It is done to rectify the flaws in a testing process and help it improve to drive flawless results.

92. What is the primary purpose of continuous testing?

The primary purpose of continuous testing is to make sure there is no error or issue found in the project before its release.

93. What are the challenges faced in manual testing?

The main challenge of manual labor is that since it is human labor, there are chances of man-made errors. Since manual testing involves rigorous and continuous testing of the software, testers tend to get fatigued and make mistakes.

94. What will be the trends of testing in the future?

One of the rising trends in the future of manual testing is the inclusion of AI and ML technology.

95. How are developers and testers different in their jobs?

The job of a manual tester is to do a lot of manual work to verify the functionalities of the software are up and running. The job of a developer is to get feedback from the testers and improve the software.

96. What can be done when a company is growing quickly and traditional testing methods don’t work?

The company can rely on open-ended automated tools to run the tests again and find the defects in the project.

97. What happens when the software has so many problems that testing becomes difficult?

When a software has a lot of problems that testing becomes difficult then software requirements or specifications should be checked.

98. Is it possible to do system testing at any point during development?

No, it is not possible to do system testing at any point during development. This is because system testing is done before user acceptance testing and after integration testing.

99. What are some characteristics of a test case?

Some characteristics of a test case are the inclusion of inputs, expected output, detailed steps, data, prerequisites, etc.

100. Can automated testing take the place of manual testing?

No, automated testing can not replace manual testing. Manual testing offers human insight, perspective, intuition and creativity that automated testing lacks.

Conclusion

Please keep in mind that we have shortlisted the top 100 Manual Testing interview questions and answers here that are most asked during an interview. You can go through these questions and practice delivering the answers in your own space and time to develop a confident approach. You can also work on building a very attractive resume to create an everlasting impact on your recruiting managers. If you are wondering what skills to add to your resume to make it stand out, check out our blog Manual Testing Skills To Add in Resume.