Manual Testing Interview Questions and Answers

In the ever-evolving field of software development, manual testing remains a fundamental skill for quality assurance professionals. While automated testing continues to rise in popularity, manual testing holds its ground for certain types of testing where human intuition and exploratory skills are irreplaceable.

Whether you are a fresh graduate stepping into the world of software testing or a professional preparing for your next career move, understanding manual testing interview questions and answers is critical. Interviewers often seek candidates with practical knowledge , attention to detail, and the ability to handle real-world testing scenarios.

Let’s explore the top 10 manual testing interview questions with answers that can make a difference in your QA career.

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Top 10 manual testing interview questions with Answers

1. What is Manual Testing?

Answer: Manual testing is a type of software testing where test cases are executed manually by a tester without using any automated tools. The goal is to identify defects in the software application to ensure it behaves as expected. Manual testing is essential for exploratory testing, usability testing, and ad hoc testing where human judgment is critical.

Why it's asked: This is a fundamental question to assess your basic understanding of software testing principles.

2. What are the different types of Manual Testing?

Answer: The various types of manual testing include:

Black Box Testing: Focuses on input and output without considering the internal code.
White Box Testing: Involves testing internal structures or workings of an application.
Grey Box Testing: A combination of black box and white box testing.
Acceptance Testing: Validates the software against user requirements.
Exploratory Testing: Performed without predefined test cases to explore the software freely.
Ad Hoc Testing: Informal testing to find bugs through random checking.

Why it's asked: To understand if the candidate knows the scope and categories of manual testing.

3. Explain the Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC).

Answer: The Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC) comprises the following stages:

Requirement Analysis
Test Planning
Test Case Development
Test Environment Setup
Test Execution
Test Cycle Closure

Each stage plays a crucial role in ensuring the software product meets quality standards.

Why it's asked: This helps interviewers evaluate your process knowledge and how structured your testing approach is.

4. What is a Test Case? What are its key components?

Answer: A test case is a documented set of conditions and variables developed to determine if a system performs as expected.

Key components include:

Test Case ID
Test Description
Pre-conditions
Test Steps
Expected Result
Actual Result
Status (Pass/Fail)
Remarks

Why it's asked: Demonstrates how well you document and execute testing activities.

5. What is the difference between Severity and Priority in defect tracking?

Answer:

Severity refers to the impact of the defect on the application.
Priority defines the order in which a defect should be fixed.

For instance, a typo in a company logo is low severity but high priority.

Why it's asked: Shows your understanding of bug classification and issue resolution strategies.

6. Can you explain the Bug Life Cycle?

Answer: The Bug Life Cycle includes the following states:

New: Bug is logged.
Assigned: Assigned to the developer.
Open: Developer starts analyzing the bug.
Fixed: Developer fixes the bug.
Retest: Tester retests the fix
Closed: Bug is verified and closed.
Reopen: Bug is still present after fix.

Why it's asked: It is important to gauge your familiarity with defect management processes.

7. What is the difference between Verification and Validation?

Answer:

Verification: Checks whether the product is being built correctly (Static Testing).
Validation: Ensures the product meets user needs and expectations (Dynamic Testing).

Why it's asked: Clarifies if you understand both technical and user-focused aspects of testing.

8. What are some commonly used Manual Testing tools?

Answer: While manual testing doesn’t involve automation, several tools assist in the process:

TestLink: Test management tool.
Bugzilla: Bug tracking tool.
JIRA: Issue and project management.
HP ALM: End-to-end test management.

Why it's asked: Reveals your practical experience and familiarity with tools in the ecosystem.

9. What is Exploratory Testing and when is it used?

Answer: Exploratory testing is simultaneous learning, test design, and test execution. It’s used when:

Time is limited.
There is no detailed documentation.
You need to test usability and edge cases.

Why it's asked: Assess your ability to test dynamically and think creatively.

10. How do you ensure complete test coverage in Manual Testing?

Answer: To ensure full coverage:

Create a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).
Write comprehensive test cases based on user stories or requirements.
Include positive, negative, and boundary test cases.
Conduct peer reviews of test cases.

Why it's asked: Validates your strategic approach to quality assurance.

Conclusion

Mastering manual testing interview questions and answers is essential for anyone aiming to build or advance a career in software testing. From understanding the bug life cycle to knowing when to use exploratory testing, your grasp of core manual testing principles can set you apart in interviews.

As organisations continue to balance automated and manual testing strategies, the demand for skilled manual testers remains strong. With the manual testing questions asked in interview sessions focusing more on practical application and process understanding, preparation is the key to success.