Top 30 Interview Questions for Automation Testing

As a potential alternative to the lengthy and difficult manual testing procedure, automation testing has arisen as a means of ensuring the dependability and quality of software products. As a result, the roles of Test Automation Engineers and Automation Testing Courses have grown to be highly sought-after jobs in the Software Testing industry. Therefore, this comprehensive guide of the top 30 Automation Testing Interview Questions will undoubtedly be very helpful if you want to breeze through a Test Automation interview.

We'll examine a list of some of the most significant interview questions for automation testing in this blog. Additionally, several Java and API automation testing interview questions will be taken into consideration. We'll also look at some Selenium Automation Testing Interview Questions since Selenium has emerged as one of the most popular test automation tools.

Basic Level Interview Questions for Automation Testing

Interview questions for Selenium automation testing

Test Automation in Java Interview Questions

Interview Questions for API Automation Testing

Advanced level interview questions for test automation

Conclusion

 

Basic Level Interview Questions for Automation Testing

1.       What is testing via automation?

Writing test codes with the use of automation testing tools, which evaluate software and automate the test execution process, is the first step in automation testing. These pre-written tests created by the tester are designed to run automatically and compare the actual results with those anticipated. The results' similarity or divergence aids in assessing the product's quality.

2.       What different kinds of testing are automated? What kinds of software tests are automatable?

The subsequent kinds of software testing are automatable.

·         Regression testing is used in situations when there are frequent code updates and repetitive operations need to be tested.

·         The purpose of load testing is to determine whether an application can manage a specific volume of transactions (load).

·         Performance testing is used to assess the stability, scalability, and/or speed characteristics of the application that is being tested.

·         Unit testing is carried out to make certain that a specific module of an application functions as expected.

·         UI testing: Verifying that the product complies with graphical user interface requirements.

·         Security testing: Ensuring that an application's login credentials cannot be compromised.

·         System testing ensures that the system is effective in carrying out all other sorts of tests.

·         Functional testing is done to make sure the product can carry out all of its intended functions.

 

3.       Explain the distinctions between manual and automated testing.

 

Basis	Manual Testing	Automation Testing
Definition	Testing is performed manually by a QA Analyst in order to assess functionality of product as per customer requirement.	After initial manual creation of test scripts, test cases are executed automatically with help of Automation Testing Tools.
Execution Time	Time-consuming due to high processing time	Faster, with more testing in less time
Efficiency of Tests	Less efficient with greater possibility for mistakes and errors. Hence less reliable	Greater efficiency and more reliability due to execution of tests with the help of tools and scripts
Investment	Initial investment is less. However, ROI in the long run is lower as compared to Automation Testing	Initial investment is more. However, ROI in the long run is higher as compared to Manual Testing
Test Coverage	Limited test coverage. It is difficult to test the application on different OS platforms and browsers	Greater test coverage. Provides for testing on different OS platforms as well as browsers
Exploratory Testing	Possible	Does not provide for random testing
Parallel Testing	Manual testing can be undertaken simultaneously; however, this would entail the need to increase the number of individuals required to conduct the test	Tests can be executed simultaneously across different browsers and OS platforms, seamlessly
Knowledge of Programming Languages	Not required	Required
UI Change	Small changes in elements like the ID, Class and so on; does not disrupt Manual Testing	Even the smallest of change in the UI of the Application Under Test, would necessitate the need to modify the test scripts accordingly
Framework	Does not make use of frameworks, but can rely upon checklists, processes and guidelines for drafting test cases	Makes use of frameworks like Hybrid, Keyword and Data Drive
Report Generation	Testers need to draw up reports by recording their findings	Tools can be used for automatic generation of test reports

 

4.       When ought one to automate?

Testing by automation functions well when

·         Situations that necessitate regular testing or the performance of repetitive activities

·         Test situations where testing is done on a lot of data

·         Conditions that call for parallel testing or tests that can't be done manually

·         Automation Testing is preferred in situations where there is a large chance of human mistake

·         It is preferred for non-functional testing as well as when tests must be run in various contexts and browsers.

·         Testing the stable components of an application can be done using automation.

 

5.       When should automation testing be avoided?

In the following circumstances, test automation is not recommended:

·         Newly developed, challenging test cases

·         When test case requirements are constantly changing

·         Test cases in need of immediate deployment or issue solutions

·         When a thorough amount of documentation is necessary

·         Ad hoc or usability testing is required.

·         For test scripts that provide erratic results

·         When running tests where the anticipated or input data is unknown

 

6.       What standards should you use to select the best test automation tool?

The following considerations must be made when selecting a particular Test Automation Tool:

·         Project specifications/the object of automation

·         Determine the cost related to the potential deployment of various test instruments.

·         Determine your project's budget and look for a tool that fits it.

·         Evaluate the Technical Skills related to the potential use of various test tools.

·         Speak with other organisations that have utilised comparable tools to learn about their experiences.

·         It is advisable to select tools that are usable by every team member, including non-technical ones.

·         Examine the tool to see if it supports various testing kinds and cross-browser testing for web-based apps.

Generally speaking, it would be wise to use tools that have some of these qualities:

• Debugging Tools

• Object recognition

• Support for Test Environment

• Capability to test images and objects

• Testing of databases

7.       Describe a framework. What Characteristics Make a Good Framework?

A test automation framework may be thought of as a collection of general laws and best practises that make the process of automation easier and enhance the outcomes of the test automation activity. Testing libraries, a GUI or command line interface, and test data management are all components of a test automation framework.

Among the qualities of a strong framework are:

·         Reusable

·         Independent

·         Modular

·         Integration

·         Consistency

·         Reporting

 

8.       What kinds of automation frameworks are there to choose from?

·         Framework for Data-Driven Testing

This framework helps us distinguish between the logic of the test script and the test data. XML, Excel, CSV, and other external databases are used to store the test data. The input values and verification values kept using the variables are what determine how the data is stored in "key-value" pairs.

·         Framework for Keyword-Driven Testing

It's common to think of this framework as an expansion of the prior one. It not only enables the separation of test data and test scripts, but it also keeps a specific set of test script-specific codes in an external data file. The creation of the keywords and data tables is done separately from the automated test cases.

·         Framework for Module-Based Testing

With the aid of this framework, the Application Under Test (AUT) can be divided into discrete, logical units. For each module, independent test scripts are written, and when combined, they assist construct a larger test script that covers many modules.

·         Framework for Linear Scripting

This test automation framework functions in a linear fashion, much like "Record and Playback." Small applications tend to be tested with it.

·         Framework for Hybrid Testing

It combines elements from several of the aforementioned systems. The benefit is that it aids in obtaining the advantages of all related frameworks.

9.       What conditions must be met before starting automation testing? Is it feasible to fully automate everything?

The following are some prerequisites for starting automation testing:

·         Making use of reusable functions and techniques

·         The framework should be reliable.

·         Filter and segment the test cases that will be run automatically.

·         Separate files should be used to house reusable functions.

·         Experienced and knowledgeable personnel ought to be used

·         Ensure module stability and consistency.

The idea of total automation is a fiction. There are several circumstances in which automation testing is not feasible. This is particularly true for a large number of edge test cases that are either rarely run or are too simple to be automated. Furthermore, since only people create test scripts and automation technologies, human intervention cannot be fully eliminated.

 

10.   What steps constitute an automation testing lifecycle?

The following steps are part of the automation testing lifecycle:

·         Decide whether to conduct automation testing.

·         Select the proper test automation frameworks and tools.

·         Select a test execution strategy and test plan.

·         Data Preparation for Tests

·         Establish a Test Environment

·         Create a test suite

·         Execution of Tests

·         Test report generation and analysis

·         The upkeep of test scripts

 

11.   Describe Sikuli.

Sikuli is a tool that automates GUI using the Visual Image Match technique. Sikuli's various web components should be captured as images and kept inside the project. It is made up of:

·         Script Sikuli

·         IDE Sikuli

·         Jython Visual Scripting API

Sikuli can be used to automate desktop software, window-based programmes, flash objects, and websites.

Interview questions for Selenium automation testing

 

12.   Describe selenium. What are its benefits and drawbacks?

Selenium is a free, open-source software testing tool that is used to test web applications across many platforms and browsers. A single interface is used throughout the Selenium Automation Testing process, which enables users to create test scripts in a variety of computer languages, including Java, Python, C#, Ruby, Perl, PHP, and NodeJS.

 

Benefits of selenium

·         It is a testing framework that is open-source and cost-free. Compared to its rivals, which typically have a licencing fee, this makes it quite appealing.

·         Python, Java, Perl, Ruby, PHP, and C# are just a few of the programming languages that Selenium supports for text scripts.

·         It is extremely trustworthy due to its track record of producing accurate findings.

·         Selenium makes it easier to run test cases on several operating systems, such as Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, and Mac.

·         Multiple web browsers, including Chrome, Opera, Safari, Internet Explorer (IE), and Firefox, support Selenium Automation Testing.

·         It supports parallel test execution and enjoys strong community backing.

·         Selenium offers JUnit and TestNG connectivity, which facilitates the creation and administration of test cases.

·         Selenium's interaction with Maven Jenkins, Docker, and Selenium is what makes continuous testing possible.

Negative effects of selenium

·         It is solely appropriate for testing online apps; it cannot be used to test desktop or mobile software applications.

·         Apart from customer communities, there is no guaranteed user support.

·         It is unable to gain access to web parts that are found to be outside of the web application that is being tested.

·         Selenium cannot be used independently for data-driven testing or image testing. These can only be achieved by including further tools.

·         Writing tests necessitates prior programming language expertise.

 

13.   What different Selenium Suite components are there?

The Selenium Automation software is a collection of tools, each of which has a distinct role for the organization's testing needs. The equipment is:

·         Integrated Development Environment for Selenium (Selenium IDE)

It functions as a plug-in for Firefox that may be used to record and run test cases.

·         Remote control for selenium (Selenium RC)

It was the first testing tool with a strong brand that allowed users to create test cases in the language of their choice. Both data-driven testing and cross-browser testing are supported.

·         WebDriver Selenium

It was developed by Simon Stewart in 2006 to address Selenium RC's drawbacks. It offers a user interface for the design and execution of test cases, as well as the ability to recognise web page elements and take necessary action.

·         Selene Grid

It makes advantage of the Hub-Node architecture, which facilitates the concurrent execution of several test cases on various machines that are situated remotely. There is a single master system, known as the hub, which governs the other child systems, known as nodes. It offers parallel execution as a result.

14.   Describe the variations between sikuli and selenium.

Selenium	Sikuli
Complicated API	Simple API
Automation of flash objects is not possible	Automation of flash objects is possible
Can automate only web applications	Can automate web as well as windows applications
Does not support visual match	Utilizes visual match to find elements on a screen

 

15.   Describe Protractor.

It is an open source framework for test automation that makes it easier to test online applications from beginning to end. It was created by Google and is constructed using WebDriverJS. Testing Angular applications is done using it. Utilizing actual web browsers, the tool is used to execute tests against the online application. Protractor offers cross-browser testing because it is mostly built on Selenium WebDriver. Protractor additionally allows for the concurrent execution of test cases.

 

16.   Which kind of testing are supported by the Selenium framework?

The following kind of testing can be carried out with the help of the Selenium framework:

·         Functional web application testing

·         Testing the load on web applications

·         Testing for regression in web apps

·         Test Automation in Java Interview Questions

 

17.   What characteristics does Java have?

The OOP Concepts

• Encapsulation

• Inheritance

• Abstraction

• Polymorphism

High Performance: JIT (Just in Time compiler) enables Java to run quickly.

Platform Independent: Java programmes can operate on various operating systems.

The JVM allows for the construction of a main thread. By implementing the Runnable interface or extending the thread class, the user can nonetheless establish many threads.

 

18.   Describe Constructor.

When a new object is formed in a programme, the class-specific function Object() { [native code] } is called.

It basically consists of a method with the same name as the class.

If the user doesn't build a new function Object() { [native code] }, one is built by default.

If the user creates a function Object() { [native code] } with a parameter, he must also create a function Object() { [native code] } without a parameter.

 

19.   What distinguishes an array from an array list?

Array	Array List
It is required to mention the size at the time of array declaration. String[] name = new String [3]	It is not required to mention the size and the size changes dynamically. ArrayList name = new ArrayList
In order to insert an object into array, it is important to specify the index. name[3] = “pen”	There is no need to specify the index. name.add(“pen”)
It is not parameterized	ArrayList in java 5.0 are parameterized

 

20.   What exactly are API testing and API?

Application Programming Interface is referred to as API. It functions as an interface between two programmes, enabling communication between the two software systems. It makes it easier for two systems to communicate and exchange data.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are directly tested with the use of API Testing, a type of software integration testing (APIs). It aids in assessing an API's functionality, performance, security, and dependability.

21.   Do API testers need to know how to code in order to perform API testing?

Both manual and automated methods can be used to carry out API testing. Testers do not need coding expertise when performing manual testing. All they require is the credentials, API request information, payload, headers, and knowledge of how to use the right tools. However, testers must have coding skills in order to automate the test cases if API testing is chosen to be carried out in this way.

 

22.   Test API: What is it?

TEST API is a collection of library tools or APIs that aids in the development of automated test cases for WIN 32 or.NET systems.

 

23.   What are the benefits of automated API testing?

API testing that is automated is advantageous since it improves test coverage quickly. Automation testing is helpful in reducing human error and making it easier to run multiple tests simultaneously. Additionally, because it takes less time, it also saves money.

Advanced level interview questions for test automation

 

24.   Browser automation – what is it?

When a web application is launched programmatically in a browser and the various activities are carried out automatically, as if by a real user, this is known as browser automation. It is advantageous to use browser testing because of how quickly and efficiently it works. Some of the most widely used tools for browser testing include Selenium, Protractor, and Cypress.

The following are the steps in browser automation:

·         Open the application's website

·         Check the website's many links to check sure none of them are broken.

·         Keep track of the website's broken links

·         Perform load and performance testing on your web application.

·         Launch various browser instances with various test users to ensure that concurrent actions function as intended.

 

25.   Black box testing, white box testing, or automation testing?

Black box testing and white box testing are both types of automation testing. When a tester tests an application without having access to its source code or low-level design, this is known as "black box testing." However, there are circumstances where testers need access to the application's database information and coding, which falls under the category of white box testing.

 

26.   Is it possible to undertake automation testing without a test framework?

There is no doubt that automation testing can be carried out without a test automation framework. Frameworks function as illustrative principles rather than as binding regulations. But if these recommendations are followed, efficiency is improved and upkeep is made simpler.

 

27.   What crucial components make up a framework for test automation?

Data Setup: User data extraction from files, databases, or within test scripts is a requirement for test cases.

·         Testing the expected values in the application under test is made easier with the use of a test assertion tool.

·         After all of the test cases have been executed, the reporting tool is used to produce legible reports.

·         Establish management tool: This tool can be used to build a framework so that test scripts can be written.

·         Logging software: It enables effective error and bug debugging.

·         Continuous Integration Tools are generally used for deploying and integrating changes made to a framework at each iteration. They are also referred to as Continuous Delivery Tools.

 

28.   What are a few automation testing recommended practises?

Some of the top business procedures that guarantee high-quality software include:

·         When deciding on the scope of automation, exercise caution. Not all test cases should be automated.

·         It's crucial to consider both the severity and complexity of the feature being tested as well as the tester's experience and skills.

·         Use Useful Comments and Separate Codes according to Use.

·         Prevent Duplicate Cases and make sure Scripts are Regularly Tested.

·         For particular test scenarios, it's critical to select the appropriate test automation tool.

·         Keep an exhaustive bug database.

·         Observe coding standards.

 

29.   What are a few contemporary uses for test automation?

Examples can be drawn from some of the largest corporate entities operating on a worldwide scale. While Facebook is interested in exploring a purported brain-computer interface that might maybe transform thoughts into writing, Google is testing self-driving automobiles. Similar to Starbucks, Amazon may try delivery drones while Starbucks is interested in cashier-free locations.

 

30.   What are a few of the dangers of automating testing?

·         Implementing automation has a hefty upfront cost. Given the amount of code and pricey equipment needed, it might demand a substantial investment.

·         If, for some reason, testers progressively come to the realisation that their testing method is not producing the desired results because the software's features and configuration are constantly changing, the outcome is a negative return on investment.

·         Automation testing necessitates the use of technical personnel with a particular level of programming expertise.

·         It is necessary to update and maintain Test Automation code.

·         The testing application's instability could lead to several errors.

·         Automation testing may be difficult if the requirements for the user interface are dynamic.

Conclusion

For software testers, proficiency in automation testing has become a professional need. Although by no means comprehensive, this list of interview questions for automation testing touches on some of the most crucial subjects, including those that fall under the headings of Selenium Automation Testing Training interview questions, Java interview questions for automation testing, and so on.