Top 75+ Manual Testing Interview Questions and Answers

So, you have a manual testing interview coming up? No worries—we’ve put together this guide to make your preparation easier. Here, you’ll find 75+ essential manual testing interview questions and answers, covering both fresher and experienced-level topics.

From fundamental concepts to real-world testing scenarios and best practices, this guide will help you build confidence and answer questions effectively.

Go through these questions, refine your understanding, and get ready to impress in your interview.

Fun Fact: Recent reports suggest that nearly 50% of companies still rely on manual testing as part of their software testing process. 

Basic Interview Questions for Manual Testing

Here are some basic manual testing questions asked in interviews: 

1. What is manual testing, and why is it important?

Manual testing is the process of executing test cases without automation to find defects in software. It is important because it helps testers explore an application like a real user, catching usability issues and unexpected bugs that automation might miss. Manual testing is also useful for newly developed features before automation scripts are written.

2. What are the different types of manual testing?

• Functional Testing – Validates that features work as expected.
• Regression Testing – Checks if new changes break existing functionality.
• Smoke Testing – Verifies basic functionality before deeper testing.
• Sanity Testing – Focuses on specific areas after minor changes.
• Exploratory Testing – Involves testers actively discovering defects without predefined cases.
• Usability Testing – Evaluates how user-friendly an application is.
• Ad-hoc Testing – Unstructured testing to find unexpected issues.

3. What is the difference between verification and validation?

• Verification – Confirms that the product is being developed correctly by reviewing documents, designs, and code.
• Validation – Checks whether the final product meets user needs by executing test cases.

4. What are test cases, and how do you write them?

This is one of the most common basic testing interview questions.

Test cases are structured steps used to verify if a feature works correctly. A test case includes: 

• Test Case ID – Unique identifier.
• Test Scenario – Brief description of what is tested.
• Preconditions – Required setup before execution.
• Test Steps – Actions to perform.
• Expected Result – Correct application behavior.
• Actual Result – Observed output.
• Status – Pass or fail based on comparison.

Example:

Test Case ID	Test Scenario	Test Steps	Expected Result
TC001	Login Feature	1. Open login page 2. Enter valid credentials 3. Click login	User successfully logs in

Also Read - Top 45+ Functional Testing Interview Questions and Answers

Manual Testing Interview Questions for Freshers

Here are some frequently asked manual testing interview questions and answers for freshers: 

5. What is the software testing life cycle (STLC)?

STLC is the process of testing software systematically. 

The phases are:

1. Requirement Analysis – Understanding what needs testing.
2. Test Planning – Defining the test approach and effort.
3. Test Case Development – Writing test cases and test data.
4. Test Environment Setup – Preparing the test environment.
5. Test Execution – Running tests and logging defects.
6. Test Closure – Analyzing results and documenting findings.
7. What is the difference between functional and non-functional testing?

• Functional Testing – Checks if the application behaves as expected. Example: verifying login functionality.
• Non-Functional Testing – Evaluates aspects like performance, security, and usability. Example: testing website speed under load.

7. What are the key qualities of a good tester?

A good tester should have:

• Attention to Detail – Identifying even small defects.
• Critical Thinking – Finding unexpected scenarios that could break the system.
• Good Communication – Writing clear defect reports.
• Curiosity – Exploring beyond test cases.
• Adaptability – Handling changing requirements efficiently.

8. How do you report a bug?

A bug report should be clear and structured. It includes:

1. Bug ID – Unique identifier.
2. Summary – Short description of the issue.
3. Steps to Reproduce – Detailed steps to trigger the bug.
4. Expected vs. Actual Result – What should happen vs. what happened.
5. Severity and Priority – How critical the issue is.
6. Attachments – Screenshots or logs for better understanding.

Example:

• Summary: Login button is unresponsive.
• Steps to Reproduce: Open login page → Enter valid credentials → Click login.
• Expected Result: User should be logged in.
• Actual Result: Nothing happens.
• Severity: High.
• Priority: Critical.

Manual Testing Interview Questions for Experienced

Let’s go through the common manual testing interview questions for experienced candidates: 

9. How do you prioritize test cases when time is limited?

When time is short, I focus on:

1. High-Risk Features – Business-critical functionality.
2. Frequently Used Areas – Features with the most user interaction.
3. Recent Code Changes – Areas where new updates were made.
4. Regression Testing – Verifying core functionality remains intact.
5. Defect-Prone Areas – Modules with past issues.
6. What is exploratory testing, and when should it be used?

Exploratory testing is an unscripted testing approach where testers actively explore an application to find defects. It is useful when:

• Documentation is incomplete.
• Requirements are unclear.
• A quick evaluation is needed.
• The goal is to find hidden defects that structured test cases might miss.

11. What is risk-based testing, and how do you implement it?

Risk-based testing prioritizes testing efforts on high-impact, high-risk areas. Steps to implement:

1. Identify Risks – Assess features that may fail or cause major issues.
2. Analyze Impact – Determine the business and technical impact.
3. Prioritize Testing – Focus on critical functionality first.
4. Execute Tests – Test areas where failure would cause the most damage.
5. Monitor and Adjust – Continuously review and adjust based on findings.
6. How do you handle a situation where the development team disagrees with a bug report?

If a developer disagrees with a bug I reported, I:

1. Provide Evidence – Logs, screenshots, and steps to reproduce.
2. Reproduce the Bug with Them – Show the issue on their environment.
3. Refer to Requirements – Compare expected vs. actual behavior.
4. Involve a Business Analyst – If needed, seek clarification from stakeholders.
5. Stay Professional – Keep the discussion factual and constructive.

Interview Questions for 1 Year Experience in Manual Testing

13. What is boundary value analysis, and why is it useful?
14. Can you describe a challenge you faced in testing and how you handled it?
15. How do you manage communication with developers when reporting defects?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 2 Years’ Experience

16. What is the difference between test strategy and test plan?
17. Have you ever found a critical bug at the last minute? How did you handle it?
18. How do you deal with changing requirements during testing?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 3 Years’ Experience

19. What is equivalence partitioning, and how does it help in testing?
20. Describe a situation where you had to test without proper documentation.
21. How do you handle deadlines when multiple features need to be tested?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 4 Years’ Experience

22. What is regression testing, and when should it be performed?
23. Share an instance where you improved the testing process in your team.
24. How do you handle disagreements with team members regarding test coverage?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 5 Years’ Experience

25. How do you perform impact analysis before executing regression tests?
26. What strategies do you follow to improve test efficiency?
27. How do you mentor junior testers in your team?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 6 Years’ Experience

28. What is the role of traceability matrix in testing?
29. Have you worked on test estimation? How do you approach it?
30. How do you handle pressure when a release deadline is near?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 7 Years’ Experience

31. How do you guarantee complete test coverage in a project?
32. Describe a complex project where you handled testing.
33. How do you deal with stakeholders who want last-minute changes?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 8 Years’ Experience

34. How do you integrate manual testing with automation?
35. Have you ever implemented a new testing methodology in your team?
36. How do you manage conflicts between testing and development teams?

Manual Testing Interview Questions for 10 Years’ Experience

37. What testing metrics do you track, and why?
38. How do you influence testing strategies at an organizational level?
39. How do you handle situations where management underestimates testing efforts?

Also Read - Top 40+ Java Automation Testing Interview Questions and Answers

Advanced Manual Testing Interview Questions

Here are some advanced interview questions for manual testers: 

40. What is shift-left testing, and how does it improve software quality?

Shift-left testing involves starting testing activities earlier in the development cycle. It helps catch defects in the initial stages, reducing the cost and effort required to fix them later. It improves software quality by identifying issues in requirements, design, and development phases rather than waiting until testing begins.

41. What is test data management, and why is it important?

Test data management involves creating, maintaining, and controlling data used for testing. It is important because realistic test data improves test accuracy. It helps in testing different scenarios, maintaining data security, and complying with regulations like GDPR.

42. How do you perform root cause analysis for defects?

Root cause analysis (RCA) helps identify the underlying reason for defects. The steps include:

1. Define the problem – Gather details about the defect.
2. Analyze patterns – Check if similar defects exist.
3. Use the 5 Whys method – Keep asking “Why?” until the root cause is found.
4. Check logs and code – Look at logs, test cases, and database records.
5. Suggest preventive measures – Fix the root cause, not just the symptom.

Manual Testing Technical Interview Questions

Here are technical manual testing interview questions and answers: 

43. What is defect life cycle, and what are its key stages?

The defect life cycle tracks a bug from detection to closure. The key stages are:

1. New – The defect is reported.
2. Assigned – It is assigned to a developer.
3. Open – The developer starts working on it.
4. Fixed – The issue is resolved.
5. Retest – The tester verifies the fix.
6. Closed – If the fix works, the defect is closed.
7. Reopened – If the issue persists, it is reopened.
8. What is the difference between black box and white box testing?

• Black Box Testing – Tests functionality without knowledge of internal code. Used for UI and system testing.
• White Box Testing – Requires knowledge of code structure. Used for unit and integration testing.

Manual Testing Scenario Based Interview Questions

Let’s go through some real time scenario based questions in manual testing: 

45. How would you test a login page with different roles and permissions?

1. Valid Login – Use correct credentials for all roles (admin, user, guest).
2. Invalid Login – Enter incorrect credentials and verify error messages.
3. Role-Based Access – Check that each role accesses only allowed features.
4. Session Expiry – Verify automatic logout after inactivity.
5. Security Testing – Test SQL injection and brute-force attacks.
6. If you find a bug in production, how would you handle it?

This is one of the most important manual testing scenario based interview questions for experienced testers. 

1. Verify the Bug – Confirm if it exists and gather details.
2. Assess Impact – Identify how it affects users.
3. Report to Stakeholders – Notify the team with severity details.
4. Provide Workarounds – Suggest temporary fixes if possible.
5. Test the Fix – Retest thoroughly before deploying a patch.
6. How would you test a website with high traffic volume manually?

You might also come across manual testing real time interview questions like this one.

1. Simulate Heavy Load – Open multiple browser sessions.
2. Test Response Time – Check how fast the site loads.
3. Check Stability – Refresh pages repeatedly to find crashes.
4. Test Data Handling – Verify if forms and databases handle large inputs.
5. Monitor Server Logs – Look for errors under peak load conditions.

Tricky Manual Tester Interview Questions

Here are some tricky manual testing interview questions answers: 

48. Can you test a product without requirements? If yes, how?

Yes, exploratory testing can be done when no requirements are available. I would:

1. Analyze similar products – Understand common behaviors.
2. Talk to stakeholders – Gather informal details.
3. Explore the application – Interact with features to find defects.
4. Use test heuristics – Apply structured guesswork based on past experience.
5. How would you test an application that has no UI?

For backend or API-based applications, I would:

1. Use Postman or cURL – Send API requests and check responses.
2. Verify Database Changes – Execute SQL queries to check data processing.
3. Monitor Logs – Analyze system logs for errors.
4. Test Integrations – Validate how the backend interacts with other systems.
5. How do you differentiate a bug from an enhancement request?

• Bug – A defect that causes incorrect behavior. Example: A login button does not work.
• Enhancement Request – A suggestion to improve an existing feature. Example: Changing the login button’s color for better visibility.

Also Read - Top 20+ Postman Interview Questions and Answers

Manual Software Testing Interview Questions

Let’s go through some manual software testing interview questions and answers: 

51. What are test heuristics, and how are they useful in testing?

This is one of the most common manual software testing interview questions for experienced testers. 

Test heuristics are guidelines that help testers identify defects when complete requirements are unavailable. Examples:

• RCRCRC (Recent, Core, Risky, Configuration, Repaired, Chronic) – Focuses on areas most likely to have issues.
• Goldilocks Principle – Tests values that are too high, too low, and just right.

52. What are some key differences between manual and automated testing?

• Manual Testing – Human-driven, suitable for exploratory and usability testing.
• Automated Testing – Uses scripts for repetitive tasks like regression and performance testing.
• Manual is flexible, while automation is faster for repetitive cases.

53. What is monkey testing, and when is it useful?

Monkey testing is an ad-hoc testing technique where testers randomly interact with an application without predefined test cases. It is useful for:

1. Finding unexpected crashes – Random inputs may expose hidden defects.
2. Checking application stability – Helps evaluate robustness under unpredictable conditions.
3. Stress testing UI elements – Guarantees the system handles unintended user behavior.

Also Read - Top 15+ Python Automation Interview Questions and Answers

API Manual Testing Interview Questions

These are some important API testing manual interview questions and answers: 

54. How do you manually test an API without automation tools?

To manually test an API, I use tools like Postman or cURL to send API requests and analyze responses. The steps include:

1. Understand the API documentation – Identify endpoints, methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE), and request parameters.
2. Send requests manually – Input data and call the API using Postman or cURL.
3. Verify response codes – 200 (Success), 400 (Bad Request), 500 (Server Error).
4. Check response structure – Validate JSON or XML responses against expected formats.
5. Test negative scenarios – Send invalid data, missing parameters, or incorrect authentication.
6. What is the difference between REST and SOAP API testing?

• REST (Representational State Transfer)
  • Uses JSON or XML format.
  • Works with standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
  • Lightweight and faster.
• SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)
  • Uses XML for structured messaging.
  • Requires more bandwidth and follows strict standards.
  • Common in enterprise applications requiring high security.

Also Read - Top 40+ API Testing Interview Questions and Answers

Manual Mobile Testing Interview Questions

56. How do you perform mobile application testing manually?

1. Install and set up the app – Test on real devices and emulators.
2. Check UI and functionality – Validate navigation, buttons, and gestures.
3. Test performance – Monitor response times and crashes.
4. Perform interrupt testing – Simulate incoming calls, notifications, and battery drain.
5. Check compatibility – Run the app on different OS versions and screen sizes.
6. What challenges do you face while testing mobile applications?

1. Device fragmentation – Different screen sizes, resolutions, and OS versions.
2. Network conditions – Apps behave differently on 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi.
3. Battery consumption – Some apps drain battery quickly.
4. Touch responsiveness – Gestures may not work consistently.
5. Frequent OS updates – New updates can break existing functionality.

Also Read - Top 45+ Mobile Testing Interview Questions and Answers

QA Manual Testing Interview Questions

Here are some important manual QA interview questions and answers: 

58. What is the role of a QA tester in an agile environment?

In an agile environment, I focus on:

1. Early involvement – Participate in requirement analysis.
2. Continuous testing – Test every sprint to find defects early.
3. Regression testing – Retest critical features after new changes.
4. Collaboration – Work closely with developers and business analysts.
5. Customer-focused testing – Prioritize user experience and real-world scenarios.
6. How do you report test results effectively?

1. Summary of tests executed – Passed, failed, blocked test cases.
2. Defect details – Bugs found, severity, and priority.
3. Test coverage – Features tested vs. features pending.
4. Recommendations – Any risks or concerns before release.
5. Supporting evidence – Screenshots, logs, and videos for failed cases.

Also Read - Top 25+ Agile Interview Questions and Answers

Manual Test Engineer Interview Questions

Let’s go through some important manual testing interview questions for test engineers: 

60. How do you prepare a test execution report?

A test execution report summarizes testing progress and results. Steps:

1. Document test case execution – Number of tests run, passed, failed.
2. List defects found – Include severity and current status.
3. Attach supporting data – Screenshots, logs, and error messages.
4. Highlight risks – Mention any blockers that could delay the release.
5. Provide next steps – Retesting schedule and pending tasks.
6. How do you identify high-priority test cases?

1. Business impact – Features critical for users.
2. Defect-prone areas – Modules with past issues.
3. New code changes – Areas recently modified.
4. Security and compliance – Features that handle sensitive data.
5. User frequency – Features accessed often by customers.

Manual Test Lead Interview Questions

These are common manual interview questions and answers for test leads: 

62. How do you manage a test team for a complex project?

As a test lead, I:

1. Define clear objectives – Set priorities for testing phases.
2. Assign tasks efficiently – Distribute work based on expertise.
3. Track progress – Monitor daily execution and defect reporting.
4. Encourage collaboration – Facilitate communication with developers.
5. Mentor junior testers – Guide them on best practices.
6. How do you handle test planning in a fast-paced environment?

1. Focus on critical areas first – Test high-risk features early.
2. Run parallel testing – Distribute tasks among team members.
3. Perform risk-based testing – Prioritize based on business impact.
4. Update test cases frequently – Adapt to changing requirements.
5. Hold quick daily sync-ups – Keep the team aligned on progress.

Manual Testing Interview Questions on Jira

You might also come across manual testing questions on Jira like these: 

64. How do you track defects in Jira?

1. Create a bug ticket – Provide a summary and steps to reproduce.
2. Assign priority and severity – Categorize impact levels.
3. Monitor defect status – Open → In Progress → Fixed → Retest → Closed.
4. Add screenshots and logs – Support debugging efforts.
5. Use Jira filters – Track open defects by category.
6. What are Jira workflows, and how are they used in testing?

Jira workflows define how defects and test cases progress through different stages. Common workflows:

1. Bug Workflow – New → Assigned → Fixed → Retest → Closed.
2. Test Execution Workflow – Draft → In Progress → Completed.
3. Custom workflows – Can be modified to fit team processes.

Manual Testing MCQ Questions

Here are some top interview questions for manual testing in MCQ form: 

66. Which of the following is a type of non-functional testing?

A. Unit Testing
B. Integration Testing
C. Performance Testing
D. Boundary Value Analysis

Answer: C. Performance Testing

67. What is the main goal of regression testing?

A. Verify new features
B. Make sure old functionality still works
C. Improve code quality
D. Test UI design

Answer: B. Make sure old functionality still works

68. Which of the following is NOT part of the defect life cycle?

A. Open
B. Assigned
C. Deleted
D. Closed

Answer: C. Deleted

69. In which phase of SDLC does testing begin?

A. Development
B. Design
C. Requirement Analysis
D. Testing

Answer: C. Requirement Analysis

70. What is the purpose of a test case?

A. Track defects
B. Define test execution
C. Validate application behavior
D. Automate scripts

Answer: C. Validate application behavior

Also Read - Top 25 JIRA Interview Questions and Answers

Manual Testing Aptitude Questions

Let’s cover some aptitude questions for manual testing: 

71. If a test case takes 5 minutes to execute and you have 50 test cases, how long will the execution take?

5 minutes × 50 = 250 minutes (4 hours 10 minutes)

72. A test cycle has 20% of test cases failing. How many test cases passed if there were 200 in total?

Failed test cases = 20% of 200 = 40
Passed test cases = 200 – 40 = 160

73. What is the probability of finding a defect if 80% of the system has been tested?

Probability varies, but if 80% of the system is tested, defects are likely to be caught early. However, untested areas still pose a risk.

74. If one tester can test 10 test cases per hour, how many testers are needed for 500 test cases in 5 hours?

Total cases per tester in 5 hours = 10 × 5 = 50
Testers needed = 500 / 50 = 10

75. If a defect is found in the initial phase, how much cost is saved compared to finding it in production?

Fixing a defect in the requirement phase can be 10–100 times cheaper than fixing it in production.

Company-Specific Manual Testing Interview Questions

Agilysys Interview Questions for Manual Testing

1. What is risk-based testing?
2. What is Equivalence partitioning testing?
3. What challenges do you face while testing enterprise applications?
4. How would you test a hospitality management system manually?

Manual Testing Interview Questions Infosys

Here are some commonly asked Infosys interview questions for manual testing:

1. Define functional and non-functional testing.
2. How do you check URLs on each webpage?
3. How do you handle defect triage meetings?
4. What is the importance of test closure activities?

You might also come across Infosys manual testing interview questions for experienced candidates like this one. 

5. How would you test a banking application manually?

Accenture Manual Testing Interview Questions

These are common Accenture interview questions for manual testing”

1. What are the stages in testing life cycle?
2. What is defect containment?
3. How do you validate test data for large-scale applications?
4. What strategies do you use for performance testing without automation?

This is one of the most important Accenture manual testing interview questions for experienced testers. 

5. How do you collaborate with developers in an agile testing environment?

Also Read - Top 25+ Performance Testing Interview Questions and Answers

Amazon Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What are the different types of manual testing?
2. How would you manually test an e-commerce checkout process?
3. What is the role of A/B testing in software quality?
4. How do you handle test scenarios for cloud-based applications?

TCS Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. Why join TCS as manual tester?
2. What is software testing life cycle (STLC)?
3. What is a test scenario?
4. How do you identify test cases for automation?

This is one of the most common TCS interview questions for manual testing experienced candidates. 

5. How would you test a financial transaction system manually?

Manual Testing Interview Questions Capgemini

Here are some common Capgemini manual testing interview questions:

1. Tell me about testing phases?
2. What is positive and negative testing?
3. Have you had previous experience with manual testing?

You might also come across Capgemini interview questions for manual testing experienced candidates like this. 

4. How do you perform mobile app testing without using automation tools?
5. How do you test APIs manually using Postman?

Also Read - Top 35+ Mobile Application Testing Interview Questions and Answers

CGI Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What is the software development life cycle?
2. How do you test a lift work process?
3. What steps do you take to minimize defects in production?
4. How do you test web applications for security vulnerabilities?

Manual Testing Interview Questions Cognizant

1. How do you ensure traceability between requirements and test cases?
2. What is ad-hoc testing, and when would you use it?

This is one of the most common cognizant manual testing interview questions for experienced candidates. 

3. How do you verify database integrity in manual testing?

EY Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What is requirement traceability matrix?
2. What will you do when the server is down? When you cannot do testing at all?
3. How do you validate reports in a business intelligence (BI) application?
4. What is compliance testing, and why is it important?

HCL Interview Questions for Manual Testing

1. What’s is the difference between severity and priority?
2. Can you tell me the steps to reproduce a bug?
3. How do you manage defect life cycle in large teams?

This is one of the most common HCL manual testing interview questions for experienced testers. 

4. How do you perform testing in an agile sprint model?

Wipro Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What is sanity testing?
2. Difference between Waterfall, V-model and Agile Model?
3. How do you review test cases?
4. How do you approach testing for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) applications?
5. How do you test an application with frequent requirement changes?

Google Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. How do you manually test a search engine for relevance and accuracy?
2. How would you test a web application for accessibility compliance?
3. What are the key considerations for testing AI-driven applications?

IBM Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. What is the difference between retesting and regression testing?
2. What is meant by defect tracking?
3. Why is RTM important in testing?
4. What is acceptance testing? When do we do it?
5. How do you manually test a cloud-based SaaS application?

L&T Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. Define method over loading and method over riding?
2. How do you approach testing for large-scale construction management software?
3. What are the major risks in industrial software testing?
4. How do you guarantee the reliability of a real-time monitoring system?

Zoho Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. How would you test a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system?
2. What are some common UI testing challenges, and how do you handle them?
3. How do you test an email-based notification system?

Oracle Manual Testing Interview Questions

1. How do you test database-driven applications manually?
2. What are the challenges in testing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems?
3. How do you ensure data consistency in a multi-user database environment?

Tips for Answering Manual Testing Interview Questions 

• Understand manual testing concepts for interview and practice explaining them clearly.
• Review latest manual testing interview questions.
• Prepare for SW testing interview questions by studying test case design, defect management, and testing types.
• Focus on top 10 manual testing interview questions for experienced testers.
• Use real-world examples while answering.
• Be concise and structured in responses.
• If unsure, explain your thought process logically.
• Stay confident and professional.

Also Read - Top 45 Quality Assurance Interview Questions and Answers

Wrapping Up

There you have it—the top manual testing interview questions and answers to help you prepare with confidence. Practicing these questions will strengthen your understanding of testing concepts and real-world scenarios.

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