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Software Engineer in Test (QA) interview questionsTest Case Development round
A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: Test Case Development, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, Test Planning, Risk Assessment.
Test Case Development Challenge
What this section is for
Purpose
Evaluate technical knowledge and problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios.
Imagine you are testing a new feature for an e-commerce website: a discount coupon system. Develop a set of test cases to ensure the feature works correctly. Consider different types of coupons, user scenarios, and edge cases.
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess test case development, analytical thinking, problem-solving, test planning, and risk assessment skills.
Signals to score
- Comprehensive test cases provided
- Considers various coupon types
- Identifies edge cases
- Logical and structured approach
- Prioritizes test cases effectively
- Considers user scenarios
- Demonstrates risk assessment
Follow-up questions
- What are the different types of coupons you would consider?
- How would you handle invalid coupon codes?
- Can you identify potential edge cases?
- How would you prioritize your test cases?
If you had more time, what additional test cases or improvements would you consider?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Assess the candidate's ability to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Signals to score
- Recognizes limits in their original answer
- Points out clear areas to improve
- Suggests specific changes
- Talks about how changes could help performance
- Shares ideas clearly and logically
- Shows a desire to learn and improve
Follow-up questions
- Are there any additional scenarios you would test?
- How would you ensure the system performs well under load?
- What integration points would you consider testing?
Great job on the test case development exercise!
What this section is for
Purpose
Provides positive reinforcement to the candidate, helping to build confidence and create a supportive atmosphere before moving into the final part of the interview.
Closing
What this section is for
Purpose
Thanks the candidate for their time, provides next steps, and leaves a positive final impression.
Do you have any questions for me about the team or the company?
What this question is for, and what to listen for
Purpose
Gauge the candidate’s curiosity and interest in the role.
Signals to score
- Thoughtful questions asked
- Interest in company culture
- Curiosity about growth expressed
- Questions about role raised
- Inquiries about team challenges
- Engagement with responses shown
- Desire to learn next steps
- Focus on company values expressed
Follow-up questions
- What interests you most about this team?
- Are there any areas of the role you’d like to explore further?
Software Engineer in Test (QA) interviews — common questions
- Who is this Software Engineer in Test (QA) interview plan for?
- It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Test Case Development round for a Software Engineer in Test (QA) role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 3 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.
- What does the Test Case Development round assess?
- This round is focused on: Test Case Development, Analytical Thinking, Problem Solving, Test Planning, Risk Assessment. It works through Test Case Development Challenge and Closing, scoring against 21 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on all 3 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
- How is the 60 min split up?
- Test Case Development Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.
- What other rounds should I run for a Software Engineer in Test (QA)?
A single round does not cover a whole role. The other rounds in this library for a Software Engineer in Test (QA):