What is a test case?
Theme: Test Planning Role: Qa Engineer/Test Engineer Function: Technology
Interview Question for QA Engineer/Test Engineer: See sample answers, motivations & red flags for this common interview question. About QA Engineer/Test Engineer: Ensure software quality through testing and quality assurance. This role falls within the Technology function of a firm. See other interview questions & further information for this role here
Sample Answer
Example response for question delving into Test Planning with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence
- Definition: A test case is a detailed set of steps or actions that are designed to verify the functionality or behavior of a specific feature or component of a software application
- Purpose: The main purpose of a test case is to ensure that the software meets the specified requirements and functions correctly
- Components: A test case typically consists of the following components: 1. Test case ID: A unique identifier for the test case. 2. Test case description: A brief description of what the test case is intended to test. 3. Test steps: A step-by-step sequence of actions to be performed. 4. Expected result: The expected outcome or behavior after executing the test steps. 5. Actual result: The actual outcome or behavior observed during test execution. 6. Test data: Any specific data or inputs required for the test case. 7. Preconditions: Any necessary conditions or setup required before executing the test case
- Types: There are different types of test cases, including: 1. Functional test cases: Verify the functional requirements of the software. 2. Integration test cases: Test the interaction between different components or modules. 3. Performance test cases: Measure the performance and scalability of the software. 4. Usability test cases: Evaluate the user-friendliness and ease of use of the software. 5. Security test cases: Assess the security measures and vulnerabilities of the software. 6. Regression test cases: Ensure that previously working functionality is not affected by new changes or updates. 7. Edge test cases: Test the software's behavior at the extreme boundaries of input values or conditions
- Best Practices: To create effective test cases, it is important to: 1. Clearly define the objective and scope of the test case. 2. Use a consistent and standardized format for documenting test cases. 3. Keep test cases independent and avoid dependencies on other test cases. 4. Include both positive and negative test scenarios. 5. Use meaningful and descriptive test case names. 6. Prioritize test cases based on risk and criticality. 7. Review and validate test cases with stakeholders before execution
Underlying Motivations
What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question
- Knowledge & understanding of QA/testing concepts: Assessing if the candidate has a clear understanding of what a test case is and its importance in the QA/testing process
- Experience & skills in test case creation: Evaluating the candidate's ability to create effective and comprehensive test cases for different scenarios and requirements
- Attention to detail & analytical thinking: Determining if the candidate pays attention to details and can think analytically to identify potential test scenarios and edge cases
- Communication & collaboration skills: Assessing the candidate's ability to explain complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, as well as their willingness to collaborate with other team members in test case creation and execution
Potential Minefields
How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags
- Lack of clarity: Providing a vague or unclear definition of a test case may indicate a lack of understanding or experience in the field
- Inadequate depth: Providing a superficial or incomplete definition of a test case may suggest a lack of knowledge or attention to detail
- Confusion with other terms: Confusing a test case with other testing concepts, such as test plan or test script, may indicate a lack of understanding of fundamental testing terminology
- Inability to provide examples: Failing to provide concrete examples or scenarios to illustrate the concept of a test case may indicate a lack of practical experience or difficulty in applying theoretical knowledge
- Lack of awareness of importance: Not highlighting the significance of test cases in ensuring software quality and identifying defects may suggest a lack of understanding of the role of a QA/Test Engineer