Interview plan template

Use Template
to edit & run interviews

Software Engineer in Test (QA) interview questionsTechnical Interview round

A 60 min interview plan with a time-boxed script, what each question is for, and the signals to score against. Key skills: Testing Concepts, Automation, Test Strategies, Quality Assurance, Programming Skills.

Click "Use template" to edit

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 dive into some technical questions related to testing concepts, automation, and more.

Testing Concepts

10 min
•

Can you explain the difference between black-box testing and white-box testing?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Evaluate understanding of testing methodologies.

Signals to score

  • Clear distinction made
  • Examples provided
  • Understanding of use cases
  • Knowledge of testing levels
  • Explanation of tester's perspective
  • Awareness of advantages
  • Awareness of limitations

Follow-up questions

  • How would you define black-box testing?
  • Can you give an example of white-box testing?
•

What is regression testing and why is it important?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess knowledge of testing processes and importance.

Signals to score

  • Definition provided
  • Importance explained
  • Examples of when used
  • Mention of automation
  • Understanding of impact
  • Awareness of challenges
  • Knowledge of tools

Follow-up questions

  • Can you describe a scenario where regression testing is crucial?
  • How does automation play a role in regression testing?

Automation

10 min
•

What tools have you used for test automation, and which one do you prefer?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess familiarity with automation tools and preferences.

Signals to score

  • Tools mentioned
  • Preference explained
  • Experience shared
  • Knowledge of tool features
  • Understanding of tool limitations
  • Examples of usage
  • Adaptability to new tools

Follow-up questions

  • What features do you look for in an automation tool?
  • Can you share a project where you used your preferred tool?
•

How do you decide which tests to automate?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess decision-making skills in test automation.

Signals to score

  • Criteria mentioned
  • Examples provided
  • Understanding of ROI
  • Awareness of test stability
  • Knowledge of test coverage
  • Consideration of maintenance
  • Strategic thinking

Follow-up questions

  • What factors influence your decision to automate a test?
  • Can you give an example of a test you chose not to automate?

Test Strategies and Quality Assurance

10 min
•

How do you ensure test coverage and quality in your projects?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess strategies for maintaining test coverage and quality.

Signals to score

  • Strategies mentioned
  • Tools used
  • Examples of implementation
  • Understanding of metrics
  • Awareness of challenges
  • Knowledge of best practices
  • Continuous improvement mindset

Follow-up questions

  • What metrics do you use to measure test coverage?
  • Can you describe a challenge you faced in ensuring quality?
•

Describe a time when you identified a critical bug. How did you handle it?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Signals to score

  • Situation described
  • Actions taken
  • Communication skills
  • Impact explained
  • Lessons learned
  • Collaboration with team
  • Resolution achieved

Follow-up questions

  • What steps did you take to identify the bug?
  • How did you communicate the issue to your team?

Programming Skills and Problem-solving

10 min
•

Can you write a simple function to reverse a string in your preferred programming language?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Evaluate basic programming skills and syntax knowledge.

Signals to score

  • Correct syntax
  • Efficient solution
  • Clear logic
  • Code readability
  • Use of language features
  • Error handling
  • Explanation of code

Follow-up questions

  • What language will you use?
  • Can you walk me through your code?
•

How do you approach debugging a failing test case?

What this question is for, and what to listen for

Purpose

Assess problem-solving and debugging skills.

Signals to score

  • Systematic approach
  • Tools used
  • Examples of techniques
  • Understanding of root cause
  • Communication with team
  • Documentation of findings
  • Resolution achieved

Follow-up questions

  • What steps do you take to isolate the issue?
  • Can you describe a tool you use for debugging?

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.

Use Template
to edit & run interviews
Interview Template
Position
Software Engineer in Test (QA)
Round
Technical Interview for 60 min
Key skills
Testing Concepts, Automation, Test Strategies, Quality Assurance, Programming Skills

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 Technical Interview round for a Software Engineer in Test (QA) role. It gives you a 60 min script to follow in the conversation — 10 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 Technical Interview round assess?
This round is focused on: Testing Concepts, Automation, Test Strategies, Quality Assurance, Programming Skills. It works through Introduction, Testing Concepts, Automation, Test Strategies and Quality Assurance, Programming Skills and Problem-solving and Closing, scoring against 67 observable signals, with follow-up prompts on all 10 questions for going deeper where an answer is thin.
How is the 60 min split up?
Introduction (5 min), Testing Concepts (10 min), Automation (10 min), Test Strategies and Quality Assurance (10 min), Programming Skills and Problem-solving (10 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):