Software testing is a key factor in the success of any software product. The goal is to deliver a high-quality output while reducing cost and project time.
However, manual testing for bugs and defects is costly, time-consuming, prone to human error, and repetitive. Automation testing solves this issue by using tools, scripts, and software to perform test cases through predefined actions. Automation testing provides a competitive edge in the market.
With automation becoming more popular, manual testing skills alone won’t be enough in today’s job market. If you’re preparing for an automation testing interview, you need to be familiar with common questions in the field.
This article covers the top questions asked in automation testing interviews with answers for easy understanding.
1. What is Automation Testing?
Automation testing is the process of using software tools to perform testing tasks that were previously done manually. Tasks like entering data, executing test steps, and comparing results are automated.
2. Different types of Automation Testing?
Unit tests, GUI tests, and functional tests are the different types of automation testing. Unit tests are done during development to reduce bugs, GUI tests test the user interface, and functional tests simulate functional scenarios.
3. What is an automated test script?
An automated test script is a short program written in code to perform a set of instructions on an application. The script is used to verify if the application meets requirements and gives a pass/fail result based on expectations.
4. What is a Test Automation Framework?
A test automation framework is a set of guidelines and rules used to improve the results of automation testing. The framework includes function libraries, test data sources, object details, and other reusable modules. It ensures consistency in testing and makes it easier to maintain and reuse code.
5. Why use an Automation Framework?
An automation framework provides consistency, frequent and stable code, easier maintenance and reuse, and simple implementation of test cases even with limited knowledge.
6. Types of Automation Frameworks?
Linear Scripting, Data-Driven, Modular Testing, Keyword Driven, and Hybrid Testing are the different types of automation frameworks.
7. Prerequisites for Automation Testing?
A stable framework, reusable functions, and procedures, segregated test cases, infrequent changes to modules, and skilled resources.
8. Factors determining the effectiveness of Automation Testing?
Time saved, number of defects found, test coverage, maintenance time, cost, test reusability, and quality of the software under test
9. Difference between Automation Testing and Manual Testing?
Automation testing is more reliable and efficient but has a higher investment cost. Manual testing is low-cost but less reliable, and it is best for exploratory and one-time testing.
10. What is cross-browser testing?
In the world of web applications, it is impossible to know which browsers your users will use, making it essential to test the web application or website on multiple major browsers across different operating systems.
Cross-browser testing checks if the web application works seamlessly on different browsers. The purpose of cross-browser testing is to run the application on various browsers and operating systems (e.g., Windows, Mac OS, and Linux) and ensure that it functions as expected. This includes checking for design or rendering issues, application functionality, and device-specific functionality.
There are various platforms available to automate cross-browser testing, such as LambdaTest.
LambdaTest is a popular cloud-based cross-browser testing platform. With LambdaTest, you can automate cross-browser testing across 3000+ operating systems, browsers, and environments, resulting in greater test coverage and faster development.
It offers various test automation frameworks like Selenium, Cypress, Appium, Jest, and more.
Developers can easily test website compatibility, identify visual inconsistencies, and incorporate testing into workflows with screenshot testing, integration with popular tools, and affordable pricing.
11. What is TestNG and its key features?
TestNG is an open-source testing framework that was created by Cedric Beust and is designed to improve upon JUnit testing. It uses annotations and advanced Java and OO features to allow developers to create more flexible and powerful tests. Some of its key features include support for testing integrated classes, flexible runtime configuration, dependent test methods, parallel testing, load testing, a flexible plug-in API, and support for multithreading.
12. What are some recommended guidelines for conducting effective Automation Testing?
For optimal return on investment (ROI) in automation, ensure that the following factors are considered:
- Clearly define the scope of automation prior to beginning the project.
- Select a suitable automation tool that meets your needs.
- Utilize an appropriate framework if necessary.
- Adhere to scripting standards when creating automation scripts.
- Evaluate the success of automation by monitoring metrics such as the percentage of defects detected, automation time, customer satisfaction index, and improvement in productivity.
13. What are the risks associated with test automation?
Automated testing carries certain dangers, including:
- The requirement for personnel with programming expertise and adaptability to new technologies
- The initial expenses of automation may be substantial
- Automation testing can become difficult if the user interface frequently changes
- If the application being tested is prone to instability, a high number of errors may occur during the testing process.
14. How can one choose the appropriate tool for Automation Testing in a project?
To determine the best tool to use, follow these steps:
- Thoroughly understand your project requirements and the testing scenarios you wish to automate.
- Research a list of tools that align with your project’s needs.
- Assess your budget for the automation tool.
- Evaluate each tool based on key criteria such as ease of script development and maintenance, compatibility with platforms such as web, mobile, and desktop, test reporting capabilities, support for various testing types, and a number of supported languages.
- Select the tool that offers the most benefits within your budget.
15. What are the steps involved in implementing Automation Testing?
To successfully implement automation testing, follow these steps:
- Define your goals for automation and determine the types of tests to automate.
- Select an appropriate tool for automation.
- Establish the scope of automation by deciding which test cases to automate.
- Design and develop test scripts and test suites to hold your test cases.
- Execute the automation tests, either directly through the automation tool or through a Test Management tool.
- Create test reports to record individual test logs and detailed testing actions, including defining the format of the report, screenshots, and messages.
16. Is manual testing replaced by automation testing?
Automation testing cannot completely replace manual testing. Despite the benefits of automation, there are certain situations where manual testing is necessary and cannot be replaced by automation. Both automated and manual testing have their unique advantages; manual testing allows for a more in-depth exploration of the problem, while automation can quickly perform a large number of surface-level tests. It’s best to utilize both methods for a comprehensive approach to software testing.
17. Under what circumstances can automation testing not be considered?
- Dynamic requirements
- Lack of comprehensive documentation
- Unique test cases
- Spontaneous testing
- Discovery-based testing
- User interface testing
18. Can 100% automation be attained?
No, full automation cannot be achieved. There are certain test cases that cannot be easily automated and would require more effort to automate than to test manually. For instance, verifying the color of a window or dialog box background Creating a test for such a basic task would take twice the time and effort. In these scenarios, manual testing is more efficient. Thus, complete automation is not feasible.
19. When is it better to avoid automated testing?
Automated testing has benefits, but not all testing should be automated. There are instances when a human tester is more effective at testing software than automated test suites. If the software or feature under test frequently changes, automated tests may need frequent updates to stay relevant. Otherwise, they could become outdated and cease to provide value.
Exploratory testing is also not well-suited for automation. A human tester can explore the software more effectively than a computer.
Automated tests may not identify issues with the user interface unless specifically programmed or configured to do so. In these cases, a human tester is more efficient at detecting UI inconsistencies or design problems.
20. What is the definition of browser automation?
Browser automation refers to the process of using code to launch a web application in a browser and execute various actions, mimicking the behavior of a human user. Browser automation provides a level of speed and efficiency that would be impossible for manual testing. Tools such as Protractor, Cypress, and Selenium are commonly used for browser automation testing.
Some of the tasks performed during browser automation include:
- Accessing the application URL to ensure it launches correctly.
- Verifying the functionality of various links on the web page.
- Keeping track of broken links.
- Conducting load and performance tests on the web application.
- Launching multiple browser instances with different test users to test concurrent actions.
Conclusion
A software test ensures quality, giving the company the confidence to release the software to customers. In automation testing, tests are automated using tools, scripts, and frameworks, thereby improving testing efficiency and speed.
To release a high-quality software product, exploratory and manual testing by a human tester is still required. Testing frequently, measuring the outcomes, gathering input, and using it to enhance the testing process is the best long-term plan.
Lastly, you should go through the following tips for automation testing interviews:
- Be knowledgeable about your chosen testing tool.
- Familiarize yourself with the locator methods utilized by the tool.
- Refine your programming skills using the language used for automation testing.
- Get familiar with the framework components.
- If you’ve worked on the development of the framework, be well-versed in the modules you’ve contributed to.