Indian IT services
Test Engineer interview prep
For Test Engineer roles at companies like TCS
What the job involves
A Test Engineer in Indian IT services validates software against requirements by designing and running test cases, logging defects, and verifying fixes before release. Day to day work includes manual testing, some automation scripting, test data preparation, and close coordination with developers and business analysts. Freshers usually start on manual testing and gradually move to automation and domain-specific testing.
Role and Technical Knowledge
- 1
What is the difference between SDLC and STLC?
Explain that SDLC covers the whole software development process while STLC is the testing-specific lifecycle with phases like requirement analysis, test planning, test case design, execution, and closure.
- 2
What is the difference between verification and validation?
Verification checks if we are building the product right (reviews, walkthroughs) and validation checks if we built the right product (actual testing). Give a simple example.
- 3
What is a test case and what are its key components?
List test case ID, description, preconditions, steps, expected result, actual result, and status. Mention that a good test case is clear, reusable, and traceable to a requirement.
- 4
What is the defect life cycle?
Walk through New, Assigned, Open, Fixed, Retest, Verified, Closed, and Reopened. Mention that rejected and deferred are also possible states.
Practical Scenarios
- 5
You find a bug but the developer says it is not reproducible. What do you do?
Show that you document exact steps, environment, test data, screenshots, and logs. Offer to reproduce together and check if it is environment-specific or intermittent.
- 6
How would you test a login page?
Cover valid and invalid credentials, empty fields, password masking, account lockout, SQL injection, session timeout, and browser compatibility. Mention positive and negative test cases.
- 7
What is the difference between severity and priority? Give an example.
Severity is technical impact, priority is business urgency. Example: a spelling mistake on the homepage is low severity but high priority, while a crash on a rarely used screen is high severity but low priority.
- 8
How do you decide when to stop testing?
Mention criteria like test case execution percentage, defect closure rate, no critical open defects, risk assessment, and time or budget constraints. Emphasise that it is a team decision with the test lead.
Automation and Tools
- 9
What is the difference between manual and automation testing?
Explain that manual testing is human-driven and good for exploratory or usability checks, while automation is script-based, faster for regression, and needs initial investment. Mention when to choose which.
- 10
What are the basic components of Selenium?
Mention Selenium IDE, WebDriver, and Grid. Explain that WebDriver is used for browser automation and Grid for parallel execution across browsers.
- 11
How do you write a basic SQL query to validate data after a transaction?
Show a simple SELECT with WHERE and JOIN. Explain that you compare the UI value with the database value to ensure data integrity.
- 12
What is API testing and how is it different from UI testing?
API testing checks the business logic and data layer directly without a UI, while UI testing checks the user interface. Mention tools like Postman and that API tests are faster and more stable.
Behavioural and HR Questions
- 13
Tell me about a time you found a critical bug under deadline pressure.
Use the STAR method. Highlight how you prioritised, communicated the risk clearly, and helped the team decide whether to fix or defer.
- 14
Why do you want to work as a Test Engineer?
Show genuine interest in quality assurance, attention to detail, and the satisfaction of preventing defects from reaching users. Avoid saying it is just a stepping stone to development.
- 15
Are you comfortable with relocation or working in shifts?
Be honest but positive. Indian IT services often require flexibility for project locations and client time zones. Mention your willingness to adapt.
- 16
Where do you see yourself in three years?
Show a clear growth path within testing, such as moving from manual to automation or taking on test lead responsibilities. Mention continuous learning and certifications.
Ready to try it for real?
Take a timed test or talk through a mock interview for this role, then see your scores.
This is practice material for Test Engineer roles, written with AI. It is not a list of questions TCS or any other company has asked.