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Software Engineer in Test (QA) interview questionsProblem-solving Test round

A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: Problem Solving, Bug Detection, Debugging, Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail.

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Introduction

5 min
•

Hi, I’m [YOUR_NAME], and I’m a [YOUR_TITLE] at [COMPANY_NAME]. I’m excited to learn more about your experience today.

•

Could you briefly introduce yourself and share what attracted you to apply for this position?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess communication skills, alignment with the role, and initial confidence.

Signals to score

  • Clear introduction provided
  • Relevant experience mentioned
  • Motivations for applying explained
  • Alignment with team values
  • Specific skills highlighted
  • Response is concise and organized
  • Understanding of role requirements

Follow-up questions

  • What excites you most about this position?
  • How does your background align with our team’s work?
•

Great, thank you for sharing! In the next 50 minutes, we’ll focus on a problem-solving challenge. After that, you can ask any questions you have about the role or the company.

Problem-Solving Challenge

50 min
•

You are given a web application with a login feature. Users report that they are unable to log in intermittently. Describe how you would approach diagnosing and solving this issue.

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess problem-solving, bug detection, debugging, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

Signals to score

  • Identifies potential causes
  • Considers user environment
  • Suggests logging and monitoring
  • Proposes testing scenarios
  • Explains debugging steps
  • Considers server-side and client-side issues
  • Communicates clearly

Follow-up questions

  • What initial steps would you take to gather information?
  • How would you prioritize potential causes?
  • What tools might help in diagnosing the issue?
•

If you had more time, what would you change in your approach?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess the candidate's ability to reflect on their work, identify areas for improvement, and demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Signals to score

  • Recognizes limits in their original answer.
  • Points out clear areas to improve.
  • Suggests specific changes.
  • Talks about how changes could help performance.
  • Shares ideas clearly and logically.
  • Shows a desire to learn and improve.

Follow-up questions

  • What additional tests would you consider?
  • How could you improve the monitoring process?
•

Great job on the problem-solving exercise!

Closing

5 min
•

Do you have any questions for me about the team or the company?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Gauge the candidate’s curiosity and interest in the role.

Signals to score

  • Thoughtful questions asked
  • Interest in company culture
  • Curiosity about growth expressed
  • Questions about role raised
  • Inquiries about team challenges
  • Engagement with responses shown
  • Desire to learn next steps
  • Focus on company values expressed

Follow-up questions

  • What interests you most about this team?
  • Are there any areas of the role you’d like to explore further?
•

Thank you for your time today. We’ll be in touch soon regarding the next steps.

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Interview Template
Position
Software Engineer in Test (QA)
Round
Problem-solving Test for 60 min
Key skills
Problem Solving, Bug Detection, Debugging, Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail

Software Engineer in Test (QA) interviews — common questions

Who is this Software Engineer in Test (QA) interview plan for?
It is written for the interviewer, not the candidate: the hiring manager, engineer or panel member running the Problem-solving Test round for a Software Engineer in Test (QA) role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 4 questions with what each one is for and the signals to score against — so you are not writing the round from scratch the night before.
What does the Problem-solving Test round assess?
This round is focused on: Problem Solving, Bug Detection, Debugging, Critical Thinking, Attention to Detail. It works through Introduction, Problem-Solving Challenge and Closing, scoring against 28 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on all 4 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
How is the 60 min split up?
Introduction (5 min), Problem-Solving Challenge (50 min), Closing (5 min). The timings are there so the round stays on schedule and every candidate gets the same shape of interview — which is what makes two candidates comparable afterwards.
What other rounds should I run for a Software Engineer in Test (QA)?

A single round does not cover a whole role. The other rounds in this library for a Software Engineer in Test (QA):