115 Best QA Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

The job of a QA tester is not something that comes handy. They are hardworking individuals assigned with difficult tasks on a regular basis.

What is a QA Analyst?

It is their duty and responsibility to transfer important plans and to go through various test processes for software that has been developed recently in order to make sure that it works according to the first specifications.

The biggest difference between QA analysts and QA testers is that the analysts emphasize on removing mistakes and defects while the testers try to find bugs and diagnose all errors before the product has been released. They do this once more after the release.

This article will give you a brief idea on the sort of questions you should ask while sitting on the other side of the desk. If you are someone who is going to sit for the interview, then make sure you answer all questions in the clearest way possible.

Before you go to attend one, please make sure you have rehearsed some of these QA analyst interview questions with a friend. You will surely be helped at the end of this.

QA (Quality Assurance) Analyst Questions with Answers:

1. Tell me something about yourself?

Answer:

I started off my career as a QA in the year ____. Since then I have worked on several operating systems such as Windows 2000, Windows 95, and Windows XP, etc. Testing applications come very handily to me. I have taken care of applications such as Java, Visual basics, C++, etc. Client-server applications and web-based applications also fall under this category.

Being a QA, I also have experience in the field of writing. Test Plans, Test Cases are a few examples. I have also attended several meetings with project managers and business analysts.

When different kinds of testing come into question, I have explored that field as well. Whether it is Smoke Testing, Integration Testing, Regression Testing, Blackbox or UAT Testing, I have given all of them a shot. Writing defects is something other I laid special emphasis on.

I would always assess, reassess, and test them thoroughly before passing it on. If the defects were not fixed, I would make the effort to reopen them again.

2. What do you think is a test plan? Have you written one before? What does it usually consist of?

Answer:

A test plan is a sort of document which analyzes the resource, scope, approach, and schedule of several testing activities. It will help you to find items that need to be tested, its features that need further testing, the risks that come with some and the solutions as well.

Yes, I have written a test plan before. It consists of history, contents, introduction, scope, overview, and approach. The risks and assumptions are not left out either,

3. Define a Test Case and a Use Case? What do they consist of?

Answer:

A test case is again a document which gives you a step by step detailed idea on how you can test an application. It usually comprises of results (pass or fail), remarks, steps, outputs, and description.

A use case on the other is a document of another kind. It helps you understand the actions of the user and the response of the system found in a particular functionality. It comprises the cover page, revision, contents, exceptions, and pre and post-conditions.

4. What is a test strategy?

Answer:

A test strategy helps you understand the process of testing in every software development cycle. It has been made in such a way that all project managers and developers will be informed about some of the most important issues of testing. All objectives, methods, total time and the resources which are needed for the project are explained.

A few components you will always find in a test strategy are test level and test schedules, test groups and test priorities, test summary, requirements of the environment, responsibilities, etc.

5. Name the different kinds of software testing

Answer:

The different types of software testing are unit testing, alpha testing, beta testing, shakeout testing, smoke testing, white and black box testing, integration testing, regression testing, load testing, stress testing, black box and white box testing, performance, and user acceptance testing.

6. What is SQL?

Answer:

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is an American National Standards Institute computer language which is used for analyzing and assessing the database systems. The statements of SQL are used to get hold of data and retrieve it. They only work with database programs such as MS Access, Informix, Oracle, Sybase.

However, there are also different kinds of SQL languages found today. They have to be in compliance with the standards of the ANSI. The keywords should be supported in the same way.

7. Describe Change Control:

Answer:

Change Control is also popularly known as Change Request. It tells us in details about the additional functionalities which are included once the Business Requirement Document has been signed off.

8. What is a build?

Answer:

A build is basically a component or a folder that contains one of the modules of the software. This is usually prepared by the Configuration Management Team.

9. Describe the bug life cycle

Answer:

Bug life cycle basically comprises of numerous statuses of an error during its life cycle. A few examples are open, deferred, solved, reopened, fixed, solved and closed. You may also speak about this process and the way in which you monitor and determine the status with the help of several points.

10. ‘Tell us about the biggest bug you have ever found.

Answer:

In my writing experience, I have found several defects. Some of them were small whereas some of them were huge. The biggest one I have encountered so far is in the previous project on a page where I found a button called “More Information”.

Once the person using the computer pressed that button, a new window would automatically pop up. I would then close the window by using three ways. First I would click on ‘X’ located on the top right corner of the page.

I would then click on the Close button and finally the combination keys on the keyboard.

11. How do you plan on dealing with your team members?

Answer:

There are higher possibilities that I won’t be the only one in the team. At times dealing with the team members can get very difficult and frustrating. There will be quarrelsome dispositions and misunderstandings and some will also try to ignore the other. But my purpose is to look beyond all of this. We are a team and we should work together to reach a common goal. I will be friendly and invite them over for coffee.

As a human, it is very important to share feelings and have important discussions and that is exactly what I intend to do. This is something that not only me but everyone else in a working environment should apply.

12. Have you used automation tools before?

Answer:

Yes! I have used defect tracking tools several times such as ClearQuest and TestDirector. (In case you have not used these tools, you may say instead that “I am well aware of these tools. I have conducted a few tests before where these tools were required but I need to go through them once more in order to make a fresh start”)

13. Do you like the QA job? If yes, tell us why?

Answer:

Yes, I do like the QA job. The only reason behind this is because the job is process-oriented. This means that here I have the opportunity to do try several things at the time. I can analyze the needed documents, test the application, write test plans and test cases, prepare reports and retest them once again if the need arises. My favourite task would be reducing defects. The more defects I find while working, the happier I will be.

Quality Assurance Analyst Interview Questions:

The roles and responsibilities of the quality assurance analysts are not limited, they need to monitor and find strategies to improve the system. Also, QA analysts need to develop test cases, test plans for project development.

Here are the topmost frequently asked interview questions:

1. Explain the roles and responsibilities of a QA analyst?
2. Brief about CMMI?
3. What do you mean by a test plan?
4. What are the pros of implementing CMMI
5. Explain specification-driven testing
6. What is the difference between priority and severity of the defect in a project?
7. How would you organize the testing tasks in a product development process designed by the QA team?
8. What is the importance of performance testing in any application
9. What is meant by Use case testing
10. What is meant by data-driven testing
11. What are the advantages of destructive testing
12. Brief about the project talking process
13. What is the difference between validation and verification process
14. What is meant by test strategy
15. What are the advantages of agile testing
16. What is the reason automatic testing is given more importance than manual testing
17. Define a traceability matrix? Is it mandatory to use for every project
18. What do you think is the right time to begin QA in a project
19. Define negative testing
20. How do you differentiate between quality assurance and quality control
21. Explain the difference between exploratory testing and ad-hoc testing
22. List out a few automation testing tools
23. Define ‘test effectiveness’ and ‘test efficiency’
24. What is the difference between retesting and regression testing

Top QA Interview Questions:

1. What is testware?
2. Define volume testing
3. What is CRUD testing?
4. Which type of test would you do on web application
5. Brief about branch testing
6. List out a few tools used by testers
7. Describe the different types of software testing
8. Explain the duties of a software quality assurance engineer
9. Define QA
10. Define use case
11. What are the various challenges that a QA team usually faces
12. What is meant by the cause-effect graph?

QA Analyst Interview Questions with HR professionals:

1. Brief about your QA interview experience
2. Tell me about your goal
3. What is the reason for opting QA
4. What are your weaknesses
5. What are your strengths
6. What is the reason of looking for a job change
7. How do you handle your teammates
8. What do you like in this job?
9. What are your expectations from our organization
10. What would you do on your first day at the office?
11. What is your salary requirement
12. Why is your work period in each of your previous companies very short?
13. Where do you want to see yourself in the next 5 years
14. Why should I/We hire you
15. Define your career goals
16. What is the reason for leaving your last job
17. Describe a situation where you had a conflict at work and how did you deal with it
18. Working alone or working in a team, which one do you prefer?
19. Explain your role in the last project
20. Which was your proudest moment as a QA tester
21. What is the best and worst part about a manager
22. Is there any vital thing that you learnt from your previous organization?
23. How do you handle internal team conflicts

QA Interview Questions and Answers for Experienced:

1. How do you differentiate between software testing and QA?
2. Define MR and its uses?
3. Explain the automation test plan technique
4. Define configuration management
5. What is meant by bug triage
6. Explain the best solution for the software development process
7. How do you define the term testware?
8. What is meant by load testing
9. Describe the process of validation activities
10. What is meant by volume testing
11. How do you differentiate release and build
12. What is meant by stress testing
13. What do you mean by quality audit
14. List out the different problems faced by the SQA team while testing
15. Define bug release
16. Explain data-driven testing
17. Define bug leakage
18. What tools do you require for testing while the application development process
19. Define a test case
20. What is a test stub and test driver? What is its importance
21. Explain the different document types in SQA
22. What is a test stub and test driver? What is its importance
23. Mention the steps involved for the bug cycle process
24. What must be added in the software QA document?
25. Explain CRUD testing and what is the process to test it
26. What do you mean by ad hoc testing
27. Explain the “test-driven development ” rules
28. What is a test metric in software testing and the information it contains
29. What can be added in a test strategy
30. Describe cause-effect graph
31. What are the software quality practices during the software development cycle
32. Explain the Software Quality Assurance engineer roles
33. What are the types of software testing
34. Define agile testing
35. Differentiate between retesting and regression testing
36. Explain the importance of agile testing
37. Define branch testing
38. What tools a tester uses while testing
39. Define boundary testing
40. What is meant by USE case
41. Describe traceability matrix
42. Define thread testing
43. Explain the test case’s and test plan’s contents

If you are about to sit for an interview and it is your desire to become a QA, then this article will definitely take care of some of the most basic questions that several companies ask.

Conclusion:

All important details have been mentioned so that you don’t miss out on a single one. These questions have been asked by interviewers for years and some of them are still popular today. You should also make it a point to practice all your answers right in front of the mirror.

This will boost your confidence and help you nail that interview like a professional. It might seem a little difficult at first, but with a little practice, you can do almost anything!