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  • July 29 2024

Top 40+ SDET Interview Questions and Answers (2024)

Explore key SDET interview questions to prepare for roles in software testing. Get insights on Java, algorithms, and testing methodologies.

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OVERVIEW

In software testing, a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) is a professional equally skilled in development and testing. SDETs are deeply involved throughout the entire software development and testing process. Today, many organizations seek someone to help in software development and testing and take charge of testing the software they create.

This guide on SDET interview questions covers essential concepts and coding challenges often encountered in SDET interviews, including Java basics, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles, testing techniques, and key Java-related questions important for aspiring SDET.

Note

Note : We have compiled all SDET Interview Questions for you in a template format. Check it out now!

General SDET Interview Questions

The SDET interview questions below cover the scope of an SDET, which includes both the development and testing of software to enhance product quality.

1. What Is the Role of an SDET in a Development Team?

An SDET makes and manages automated test scripts to guarantee software applications meet quality and performance standards. They team up with developers to grasp the software structure and make automated tests mimicking real-world usage situations.

SDET participates in code reviews, design talks, and development and testing strategies. Their work ensures that software undergoes thorough testing and reaches desired quality levels before release.

2. How Do You Differentiate Between SDET and QA Engineer?

Here are the differences between SDET AND QA Engineers:


SDET QA Engineer
Works on both coding and testing. Primarily focuses on testing.
Writes automated tests. Run manual and automated tests to find bugs.
Strong programming skills and a good understanding of software design. May not require as much coding or development knowledge.
Engages in the entire software development process. Ensures the final product meets the required standards.

3. What Are the Key Skills Required to Be an Effective SDET?

To be a good SDET, you need:

  • Good programming languages, such as Java, Python, JavaScript, or C#.
  • Good knowledge of automated testing tools like Selenium, JUnit, and TestNG.
  • Understand software development and testing steps.
  • Familiarity with CI/CD tools such as Jenkins and GitLab.
  • Ability to write effective, reusable test code.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Good knowledge of version control systems like Git.

4. Can You Describe When You Identified a Critical Bug During the Testing Phase?

During the testing phase of the web application, I found a crucial bug with user authentication. This bug lets authorized users get into accounts because of mishandled sessions. I made automated tests to mimic multiple logins at once, which helped me see exactly when the bug happened. I wrote down what I found, told the development team about it, and checked that the fix worked after they put it in.

5. How Do You Prioritize Test Cases in a Testing Cycle?

To ensure thorough testing coverage and effective risk management in a testing cycle, I prioritize test cases based on the following criteria:

  • Critical business functionalities: Test cases covering core features that directly impact users.
  • High-risk areas: Features with recent changes or complex code.
  • Frequently used features: Functions that users interact with most often.
  • Regulatory and compliance requirements: Tests ensuring legal and regulatory adherence.
  • Past bug fixes: Areas with a history of issues to ensure no regression.

6. Explain the Difference Between Manual Testing and Automated Testing?

Here are the differences between manual and automated testing:


Manual Testing Automated Testing
Tests are executed manually by human testers. Tests are executed using automated testing tools.
Requires human intervention for test execution and observation. Minimizes human intervention once tests are automated.
Relatively slower due to manual execution. Faster execution once automated, suitable for repetitive tests.
Limited scalability for complex or repetitive tests. Handles complex scenarios and large test suites efficiently.
Quick setup; immediate start of testing. Requires initial setup time for tool selection and scripting.
Requires ongoing manual effort for test maintenance. Maintenance involves updating scripts and test cases.
Supports exploratory testing, creative and ad hoc testing. Limited in exploratory testing capabilities.
Suitable for usability testing, ad hoc scenarios. Ideal for regression testing, performance testing, and large-scale projects.

If you are looking to get started in manual or automation testing, check out these manual testing interview questions and automation testing interview questions.

7. What Is Your Experience With Different Types of Testing (Unit, Integration, System, Acceptance)?

I have experience in unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing. I use tools like JUnit, TestNG, Selenium, and Cucumber to check software functionality and ensure quality.

  • Unit testing: For unit testing, I primarily focus on making sure individual components or functions work correctly. My experience includes writing and maintaining unit tests using frameworks like JUnit for Java. It improved code quality and reliability by achieving high code coverage and ensuring that new features were thoroughly tested before integration.

    If you want to start as a unit tester, check out this guide on unit testing interview questions.

  • Integration testing: I have significant experience in integration testing, ensuring that parts of an application function together smoothly. I have used TestNG for integration tests, which has helped identify and resolve issues that arise from the interaction between different modules.
  • System testing: During system testing, I confirm that the entire integrated application meets the defined requirements. I employ system testing Selenium for end-to-end testing to guarantee that all aspects of the application function together accurately and fulfill the requirements.
  • Acceptance testing: I have worked on acceptance testing to ensure the software meets business needs and is ready for launch for the end user. I use Cucumber for behavior-driven development tests, which helps make sure the software works as expected and satisfies the end users' requirements.

Looking to start your career as a tester? Prepare from these top software testing questions.

8. How Do You Ensure That Your Test Cases Are Effective?

To ensure an effective test case, one should follow these best practices.

  • Clear and concise: Test cases are well-defined with clear steps and expected outcomes.
  • Traceability: Each test case is linked to specific requirements or user stories.
  • Coverage: Ensure comprehensive coverage of functional and non-functional requirements.
  • Review and update: Regularly review and update test cases based on new features and bug fixes.
  • Peer review: Have test cases reviewed by peers to ensure accuracy and completeness.

9. What Strategies Do You Use to Handle Flaky Tests?

To effectively manage flaky tests, I employ several strategies:

  • Stabilize test environment: Ensure consistent and stable test environments.
  • Proper waits: Use explicit and implicit waits to handle timing issues.
  • Retry mechanism: Implement retry logic for transient issues.
  • Isolation: Ensure tests are independent and do not affect each other.
  • Root cause analysis: Identify and fix the underlying issues causing flakiness.
  • Cloud-based testing: Leverage AI-driven test execution platforms such as LambdaTest. It comes with a Test Intelligence platform, offering custom flaky test detection and root cause analysis powered by AI. This helps address flaky tests.
...

10. Can You Describe Your Experience With Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Pipelines?

Experience establishing CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins and GitLab CI tools. I have set up automated builds, tests, and deployments to guarantee that code adjustments are consistently integrated, tested, and deployed.

This involves executing unit, integration, and end-to-end tests within the pipeline to give prompt feedback to developers and uphold top-notch software quality.

Frequently asked questions

  • General ...
What does an SDET do?
An SDET designs and develops automation frameworks and writes code to automate testing processes, ensuring the software meets quality standards. They also engage in software development and testing phases, often bridging team gaps to enhance product reliability.
Is SDET a good career?
Yes, being an SDET is a great career choice due to the high demand in the tech industry and opportunities for rapid skill development in coding and testing. This role also often leads to diverse career paths in software development and quality assurance.
How do I go from QA to SDET?
To transition from QA to SDET, improve programming skills in Java or Python. Learn about test automation tools, including Selenium, and the practical advantages of automation. Collaborate closely with developers and testers to understand software enhancement practices and create a portfolio showcasing your automation skills.
How do I prepare for an SDET interview?
Focus on becoming proficient in programming languages like Java and Python, getting familiar with test automation gear, which includes Selenium, and exercising to fix algorithmic issues. Be prepared to talk about your experience in testing, automation projects, and your approach to ensuring software quality. Create your very own undertaking on Git to showcase your automation capabilities. Also, research the enterprise's products and technology stack to relate your skills and experiences during the interview.
What is the role of SDET in an IT company?
In an IT company, an SDET is responsible for developing and maintaining automation frameworks, writing scripts to automate tests, and ensuring the software meets quality standards through rigorous testing.
What is full stack SDET?
A full-stack SDET is proficient in front and backend technologies and capable of testing and developing across the entire software stack. They integrate testing throughout all application layers, ensuring comprehensive coverage and quality assurance in the software life cycle.

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