Test Automation Engineer Interview Questions-Entry Level

Summary

In this video, the test lead shares essential interview questions for entry-level test automation engineers, including SDETs and automation analysts. The content covers key topics such as automation tools (e.g., Selenium), decision-making on what to automate, understanding APIs, testing frameworks, and the advantages of automation over manual testing. The video also discusses practical scenarios like automating a login function, coding challenges, and the importance of research for interview prep. Additionally, the test lead encourages viewers to explore more in-depth future videos on automation and testing concepts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be familiar with commonly used automation tools like Selenium, JMeter, and RFT before an interview. Research each tool thoroughly to elaborate when asked.
• 😀 Understand the criteria for automating tests: automate repetitive tests but avoid automating one-time tests, as manual testing may be more efficient for those.
• 😀 Know what an API is and how it facilitates communication between software systems. Tools like Postman are often used for API testing.
• 😀 A testing framework consists of best practices and guidelines for structuring automated tests. It should be separate from the application under test.
• 😀 Automation testing offers several advantages over manual testing, such as faster execution, greater consistency, and better resource management.
• 😀 When asked to automate a feature, such as the login functionality of a web page, clearly define test scenarios and map web elements to automate interactions.
• 😀 Selenium WebDriver is a popular tool for interacting with web browsers in automated tests. It supports browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
• 😀 Selenium supports a wide range of web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Edge, and Opera.
• 😀 Understand what an exception is in programming and how to handle it using try-catch blocks to ensure your code runs smoothly even when errors occur.
• 😀 Be ready to write simple code snippets, such as reversing a string, in the programming language you’re most comfortable with (e.g., Python).

Q & A

What are the key skills required for an entry-level test automation engineer?

For an entry-level test automation engineer, key skills include familiarity with automation tools like Selenium, JMeter, and API testing tools like Postman, as well as knowledge of basic coding principles, testing frameworks, and SQL for database querying. Understanding both manual and automated testing concepts is essential.

How do you determine which tests to automate and which to perform manually?

Automation is best for repetitive, high-volume tasks that need to be tested frequently. If a test is a one-time or infrequent scenario, manual testing is more efficient. The goal is to save time and resources by automating tests that will be run multiple times.

What is the purpose of an API and how do you test one?

An API (Application Programming Interface) allows different software systems to communicate. APIs can be tested using tools like Postman to ensure they function correctly by checking responses to different input parameters, including handling error conditions.

What is a testing framework in automation, and why is it important?

A testing framework is a set of guidelines, best practices, and coding standards that help structure automated test cases. It separates test logic from the application under test, making tests more scalable, reusable, and independent of the application, which is crucial for maintaining long-term automation.

What are the primary advantages of automation testing over manual testing?

The main advantages of automation testing include speed (automated tests run faster than manual tests), consistency (automated tests are repeatable and deliver consistent results), and resource efficiency (manual testing requires human involvement, whereas automation can run independently, freeing up resources for other tasks).

How would you automate the login functionality of a web page?

To automate login functionality, first identify test cases such as valid/invalid username and password combinations. Use an automation tool like Selenium to map web elements (e.g., username field, password field, login button) and input data from a test file, then validate expected behaviors after submitting the login form.

What is Selenium WebDriver, and why is it so commonly used for automation testing?

Selenium WebDriver is a framework that allows automation scripts to interact with web browsers. It supports multiple browsers and enables user interface testing, making it one of the most commonly used tools for automating browser-based testing.

Which web browsers does Selenium support?

Selenium supports a wide range of browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Edge, and Opera. This compatibility ensures that automated tests can be executed across multiple platforms.

What is an exception in coding, and how do you handle it?

An exception is an error or unexpected event that occurs during the execution of a program. It disrupts the normal flow of the program. Exceptions can be handled using a try-catch block, where the code within the try block is executed, and if an exception occurs, the catch block is triggered to handle it.

Can you explain how to reverse a string in Python?

In Python, you can reverse a string using slicing. Example code: `text = 'I like to code and test'`, then `text_reverse = text[::-1]`. This creates a new string with the characters in reverse order, and you can print the reversed string using `print(text_reverse)`.