30 Most Asked Manual Testing Interview Questions

30 Most Asked Manual Testing Interview Questions with answers for each — ideal for quick study or interview prep:

1. What is Software Testing?

Answer: Software Testing is the process of evaluating a software application to identify defects and ensure it meets the specified requirements.

2. What is the difference between Verification and Validation?

Answer: Verification checks if the product is built right (according to specs), while Validation checks if the right product is built (meets user needs).

3. What is the SDLC and what is its role in testing?

Answer: SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) is a process to develop software systematically. Testing is integrated in SDLC to ensure quality at each phase.

4. What is STLC (Software Testing Life Cycle)?

Answer: STLC is a sequence of testing activities including planning, designing, executing tests, and closure, ensuring systematic testing.

5. What are the different levels of testing?

Answer: Unit Testing, Integration Testing, System Testing, and Acceptance Testing.

6. What is the difference between Functional and Non-Functional Testing?

Answer: Functional Testing validates features/functionalities; Non-Functional Testing checks performance, usability, security, etc.

7. What is the difference between Regression and Retesting?

Answer: Retesting verifies a specific defect fix; Regression testing ensures recent changes did not break existing functionality.

8. What are Positive and Negative Testing?

Answer: Positive Testing checks the system with valid input; Negative Testing checks with invalid or unexpected input to ensure robustness.

9. What is the difference between Severity and Priority?

Answer: Severity indicates impact of a defect; Priority indicates how soon a defect should be fixed.

10. What is a Test Case? What are its components?

Answer: A Test Case is a set of conditions to test a feature. Components: Test ID, Description, Pre-conditions, Steps, Expected Result, Actual Result, Status.

11. What is a Test Plan and what does it include?

Answer: Test Plan outlines testing strategy, scope, resources, schedule, and deliverables.

12. What are the different types of testing?

Answer: Examples: Smoke (basic tests), Sanity (focused tests), Ad-hoc (informal), Exploratory (unscripted).

13. What is Boundary Value Analysis (BVA)?

Answer: BVA tests edge values at boundaries of input domains to catch boundary-related defects.

14. What is Equivalence Partitioning?

Answer: Divides input data into equivalent partitions where test cases from one partition represent others.

15. What is the difference between Static and Dynamic Testing?

Answer: Static Testing reviews code/documents without execution; Dynamic Testing involves executing the software.

16. What is the Defect Life Cycle?

Answer: States a defect passes through: New → Assigned → Open → Fixed → Retest → Closed/Reopened.

17. What is a Traceability Matrix?

Answer: A document mapping requirements to test cases ensuring coverage.

18. How do you prioritize test cases?

Answer: Based on risk, critical functionality, business impact, and test case complexity.

19. What is Risk-Based Testing?

Answer: Testing prioritized based on risk of failure and impact.

20. What are Entry and Exit Criteria in testing?

Answer: Entry Criteria define preconditions to start testing; Exit Criteria define conditions to stop testing.

21. What would you do if you find a bug in the production environment?

Answer: Report immediately, prioritize fix, and support troubleshooting.

22. How do you handle missing requirements or unclear documentation?

Answer: Communicate with stakeholders, clarify requirements, and use exploratory testing.

23. If the developer is not agreeing with your bug, what will you do?

Answer: Provide clear evidence with steps, logs, screenshots, and discuss collaboratively.

24. How do you report a bug effectively?

Answer: Provide clear title, description, steps to reproduce, expected vs actual results, environment details, severity/priority.

25. Have you ever participated in a requirement review meeting? What was your role?

Answer: Yes, reviewing for testability, clarity, and identifying gaps.

26. What will you do if you have limited time to test?

Answer: Prioritize critical tests, perform risk-based testing, and communicate risks.

27. How do you perform exploratory testing?

Answer: Simultaneous learning, test design, and execution without scripted cases.

28. How do you ensure 100% test coverage?

Answer: Use Traceability Matrix, cover all requirements, functionalities, and edge cases.

29. How do you test without requirements or documentation?

Answer: Use exploratory testing, domain knowledge, past experience, and stakeholder inputs.

30. What are some common challenges you face during testing?

Answer:

• Incomplete or changing requirements
• Limited time and resources
• Environment setup issues
• Reproducing defects
• Communication gaps
• Lack of documentation
• Test data availability
• Automation maintenance
• Multiple platforms/devices
• Pressure for faster delivery

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