NIIT Technologies Test Engineer Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Test Engineer in Indian IT services manually tests software applications, writes and executes test cases, logs defects, and verifies fixes before release. You work on client projects, often in Agile teams, and may also do basic automation using tools like Selenium. The role is entry-level friendly and focuses on attention to detail, clear communication, and understanding of the software development life cycle.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between verification and validation in software testing?

   Verification checks if we are building the product right (reviews, inspections), while validation checks if we built the right product (actual testing). Give one example each.

2. 2

   Explain the defect life cycle with the states a bug goes through.

   Cover New, Assigned, Open, Fixed, Retest, Verified, Closed, and Reopen. Mention who moves the defect between states.

3. 3

   What are the entry and exit criteria for a testing phase?

   Entry criteria include approved test plan, test cases ready, and build available. Exit criteria include all test cases executed, defect closure rate, and no critical open defects.

4. 4

   How do you decide what to include in a regression test suite?

   Focus on critical business flows, frequently changed modules, and areas with past defects. Mention that you prioritise based on risk and time available.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   You find a bug but the developer says it is not reproducible. What do you do?

   Provide clear steps, screenshots, logs, environment details, and a video if possible. Try to reproduce on a different build or machine and involve the test lead if needed.

2. 6

   You have limited time to test a new release. How do you prioritise?

   Run smoke tests first, then critical functional tests, then high-risk areas. Communicate what will not be covered and get sign-off from the lead.

3. 7

   How would you test a login page for an e-commerce website?

   Cover valid and invalid credentials, empty fields, password masking, forgot password link, account lockout, SQL injection basics, and session timeout.

4. 8

   A test case passes in your environment but fails in the client environment. How do you handle it?

   Compare environment details like OS, browser, database, and build version. Check for configuration differences and document the exact steps for the client.

Coding and Automation Basics

1. 9

   Write a simple program to check if a string is a palindrome.

   Use a loop or built-in reverse function. Explain your logic step by step and mention edge cases like empty string and case sensitivity.

2. 10

   What are the main components of Selenium WebDriver?

   Mention WebDriver, browser drivers, locators (ID, XPath, CSS), and basic commands like get, findElement, click, and sendKeys.

3. 11

   How do you write a basic SQL query to find duplicate records in a table?

   Use GROUP BY with HAVING COUNT(*) > 1. Explain what each clause does and give a small example table.

4. 12

   What is the difference between findElement and findElements in Selenium?

   findElement returns a single WebElement or throws NoSuchElementException. findElements returns a list, which can be empty if no match is found.

Behavioural and HR Questions

1. 13

   Why do you want to work as a Test Engineer in an IT services company?

   Show interest in quality assurance, client projects, and learning automation. Avoid saying testing is a backup option.

2. 14

   Tell me about a time you found a mistake in your own work. How did you handle it?

   Pick a real example from college or an internship. Highlight that you verified your work, corrected it, and learned to double-check.

3. 15

   How would you handle a situation where a developer is not fixing your reported bug?

   Stay professional, provide clear evidence, escalate to the test lead or manager if needed, and focus on project quality rather than blame.

4. 16

   Are you willing to relocate or work in different shifts for client projects?

   Answer honestly and positively. Mention flexibility and willingness to learn, as Indian IT services often require this.