What is Automation Scalability? Things You Should Know

What is an Automated Test Suite & How to Create it?

The role of testers is crucial to every project’s success. They act as investigators and quality champions that present insights, helping you understand the state of your software. Most companies struggle to hire talented testers and end up with AI-drafted resumes and rote learners on the top testing interview questions. 



Interested in hiring talented and quality testers for your teams? Let’s dive in.



In this article, we will talk about the art and science of this talent hunt puzzle.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#Interviewing_8211_The_Neglected_Skill">1 Interviewing &#8211; The Neglected Skill</a></li><li><a href="#Understanding_Common_Interviewing_Pitfalls">2 Understanding Common Interviewing Pitfalls</a></li><li><a href="#Key_Components_of_a_Healthy_Testing_Interview">3 Key Components of a Healthy Testing Interview</a><ul><li><a href="#1_The_Warm_Welcome">3.1 1. The Warm Welcome</a></li><li><a href="#2_Testing_Challenges_Puzzles_Observing_Their_Approach">3.2 2. Testing Challenges &amp; Puzzles: Observing Their Approach</a></li><li><a href="#3_Seek_Past_Project_Insights">3.3 3. Seek Past Project Insights</a></li><li><a href="#4_Go_Deep">3.4 4. Go Deep</a></li><li><a href="#5_Engage_in_Conversations">3.5 5. Engage in Conversations</a></li><li><a href="#6_The_Coding_Assignment">3.6 6. The Coding Assignment</a></li><li><a href="#7_Invite_their_Queries">3.7 7. Invite their Queries</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">4 Conclusion</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="interviewing-the-neglected-skill">Interviewing &#8211; The Neglected Skill</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"></figure></div>



Interviewing is a dynamic process where individuals engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, and explore each other’s perspectives. 



It involves: 



<ul><li>Asking thoughtful questions</li><li>Active listening</li><li>Understanding each other’s experiences, skills, and perspectives. </li></ul>



Unfortunately, interviewing is one of the most ignored skills in the tech industry, with most interviewers carrying on without caring about improving this skill. One major reason behind this is that most engineers are never judged or evaluated on this skill. 



So, Why care to improve it?



If you are reading this, Congratulations! you are in the top 2% who really care about interviewing as a skill, thus bringing in talented candidates to your team. You will be adding massive value to your organization if you master the art of hiring talented and quality testers, trust me.



<h2 id="understanding-common-interviewing-pitfalls">Understanding Common Interviewing Pitfalls</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"></figure></div>



Before we talk about the key aspects of doing great interviews, let’s understand some common mistakes that most recruiters make. Avoiding these pitfalls would automatically position you to filter skillful testers.



<ul><li>Asking a question(s) without providing context and expecting one “RIGHT” Answer.<ul><li>Most testing answers vary with context. There is rarely one RIGHT answer in the testing space.</li><li>Not sharing appropriate context or a medium for clarification can trap good candidates. </li></ul></li></ul>



Note: Give bonus marks if the candidate proactively asks you questions that help them clarify the context or break down the problem into smaller parts.



<ul><li>Picking questions from Google / Social Media.<ul><li>Candidates already mug up such questions. </li><li>It will only help you a little in uncovering the real skills.</li><li>Such open questions revolve more on theory and do not test practical craftsmanship skills.</li></ul></li><li>Not sharing communication protocol for the interview: <ul><li>It’s good to explicitly mention that it is fine to ask questions to clarify the context. </li><li>This will allow you to witness their questioning, reasoning, and critical thinking.</li><li>You can also do a role-play exercise with the candidate. Example: Take the role of a product owner, create the context, and ask the tester to share their testing approach.</li></ul></li><li>Having a fixed questioning list and pattern:<ul><li>An interview is a dynamic process. </li><li>It’s important to tune it to the candidate’s responses, and experiences.</li><li>You can use a fixed list of questions for screening or filter rounds. Avoid using one for the actual interviews.</li></ul></li><li>Crafting (Copying) Poor Job Descriptions: <ul><li>Your job description is a sales pitch to hire good testers.</li><li>Most testing job descriptions are poorly written. </li><li>Copying any existing testing job description increase your chances of creating a poor one. </li></ul></li><li>Don’t trade theoretical Concepts with Practical Skills<ul><li>Don’t trade off theoretical concepts with practical skills. </li><li>A tester who can find bugs better is more valuable than one who knows the difference between White box and Black box testing. Similarly, a tester who explores software better is more valuable than one who knows the Software Development Lifecycle.</li></ul></li></ul>



<h2 id="key-components-of-a-healthy-testing-interview">Key Components of a Healthy Testing Interview</h2>



<h3 id="h-1-the-warm-welcome">1. The Warm Welcome</h3>



Imagine walking into a room filled with strangers, each armed with questions. 



Intimidating, right? 



As an interviewer, your first and foremost responsibility is to put the candidate at ease. Start with a friendly smile and give a genuine introduction. 



Example:



<ul><li>Yourself: “Hi, I’m Rahul Parwal, and I work as a Specialist in the testing team here.”</li><li>Your Company: “We’re a quality-driven organization that values innovation and collaboration. We have our presence in ….”</li><li>The Role: “Today, we’ll discuss your potential fit for our [Test Engineer] position.”</li></ul>



Remember, the primary goal of a healthy interview is to develop rapport, instead of bombarding the candidate with technical topics from the start.



<h3 id="h-2-testing-challenges-puzzles-observing-their-approach">2. Testing Challenges &amp; Puzzles: Observing Their Approach</h3>



You can use testing games, challenges, and puzzles to observe how the candidates approach them. Games help reduce barriers between the interviewer and interviewee. Games are fun and can help you to access multiple skills at once. 



Here are popular collections for such testing challenges &amp; puzzles:



<ul><li><a href="https://yard-drain.unicornplatform.page/testersplayground/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Testers Playground</a></li><li><a href="http://testingchallenges.thetestingmap.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Testing Challenges (thetestingmap.org)</a></li></ul>



As these challenges unfold, pay attention to how the candidate approaches these problems. 



Are they systematic or diving headfirst into the problem? 



Is there a method or structure behind their approach? 



Here are some cues to look for:



<ul><li>Making Notes: Good testers note down key points. It shows their organizational skills.</li><li>Using Tools: Proficiency with tools indicates practical experience. Ask them if they know of a tool to help with such problems.</li><li>Meaningful Data: Do they analyze data thoughtfully? Are they thinking of making diverse test data?</li><li>Asking Questions: Curiosity is a sign of a growth &amp; problem-solving mindset.</li><li>Time Management: Asking for time and constraints shows respect for schedules.</li><li>Hints: Seeking hints demonstrates adaptability. Check if they explicitly ask for hints.</li><li>Mistakes &amp; Assumptions: We all make them. Making mistakes is fine. It’s important to see how well do they handle slip-ups.</li><li>Doubts Clarification: Clear communication matters for planning and scope identification.</li><li>Meticulousness: Attention to detail is the hallmark of a meticulous tester.</li><li>Analytical Thinking: Testers are architects of logic, dissecting systems with analytical precision.</li><li>Learnability: In a fast-paced industry, quick adaptability and eagerness to learn are invaluable traits.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-3-seek-past-project-insights">3. Seek Past Project Insights</h3>



Dig deeper into their past projects. Understand their contributions, the challenges faced, and what they enjoyed. You can ask about:



<ul><li>“Tell me about a project you worked on.”</li><li>“What did you like most about it?”</li><li>“If you could change something, what would it be?”</li><li>“What was one key innovation or initiative that you did in your project?”</li></ul>



Note: It’s recommended to communicate in advance that you do not expect them to disclose any sensitive data about their previous employer.



<h3 id="h-4-go-deep">4. Go Deep</h3>



Ask simple &amp; straightforward questions but encourage detailed responses. Probe further:



<ul><li>“Why did you choose that approach?”</li><li>“How would you handle X scenario?”</li><li>“What if constraints Y and Z were in play?”</li></ul>



Observe their reactions when you probe them with additional questions:



<ul><li>Do they defend themselves or are open to critique?</li><li>Do they get frustrated at any point? How did they cope back?</li><li>Did they question you back?</li><li>Do you both enjoy this deep conversation?</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-5-engage-in-conversations">5. Engage in Conversations</h3>



Beyond testing, it’s also important to assess their communication skills. You can also use non-technical topics to gauge these skills. Some sample questions:



<ul><li>Movies: “What’s the last movie you watched or liked?”</li><li>Books: “Any favorite reads? Technical Books?”</li><li>Podcasts: “Recommendations?”</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-6-the-coding-assignment">6. The Coding Assignment</h3>



If you want to check for someone who can do hands-on automation, then this is a must.  Focus on their approach rather than nitpicking syntax. Some aspects to focus on:



<ul><li>Approach: How do they break down the problem?</li><li>Pace: Do they make steady progress, or do they rush in panic?</li><li>Logic: Do you see clear thinking or unorganized work?</li><li>Problem-solving: Are they trying to break the problems into small parts?</li><li>Variable Naming: A micro activity that helps you know the overall clarity in mind.</li><li>Comments: Are they putting insightful and meaningful comments or generic ones?</li></ul>



Don’t judge them on:



<ul><li>Syntax Correctness: We all Google syntax. Trust me, even I do 🙂</li><li>Exact Output: It’s about logic, reasoning, and thinking at the end.</li><li>IDE Usage: Familiarity varies, and these tools can always be quickly learned.</li></ul>



<h3 id="h-7-invite-their-queries">7. Invite their Queries</h3>



An interview is a two-way street. It is important to invite their queries. Questions will reveal insights into their priorities. See if they ask questions on the following:



<ul><li>Learning Curve: Are they eager to learn?</li><li>Opportunities: What excites them?</li><li>Infrastructure &amp; Logistics: Do they have some practical concerns?</li><li>Work Environment: What do they seek?</li><li>Company Culture: What matters to them?</li><li>Growth Prospects: Are they ambitious?</li></ul>



<div class="cta-banner-v2">
<div class="title-with-description ">
Stay up to date with such resourceful blogs 
subscribe to our monthly newsletter
</div>
<a href="https://testsigma.com/newsletter//" target="_blank" class="cta-btn-v1" rel="noopener">Join our QA Community</a>
</div>



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



Hiring talented software testers is not just a task; it&#8217;s a voyage of discovery, a testament to human potential. Embrace the journey, cherish the dialogue, and celebrate the art of finding the perfect fit. As an interviewer, your goal is not just to evaluate but also to make candidates feel comfortable. So, next time you’re in the interviewer’s seat, help them get comfortable—they’ll appreciate it! 🌟



Happy hiring, and may the test of your hiring process turn GREEN soon.

Hiring Talented Software Testers: Unraveling the Secrets to Effective Hiring

Power of POC in Testing: Your Exclusive Guide to Success

POC in Testing | What , Why it Matters & How to Perform ?

Sitecore Automated Testing What it is and How to Perform

Sitecore Automated Testing | What it is and How to Perform?

Retail Application Testing : What it is & Why it's Necessary?

Retail Application Testing : What it is & Why it’s Necessary?

Since COVID struck, online examination systems have become pivotal in efficiently assessing the knowledge and skills of exam takers without compromising their health. Crafting effective test cases for these systems is pivotal to ensuring their reliability, security, and functionality, be it for educational institutes or organizations.



From verifying user authentication processes to validating question randomization algorithms, each <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/what-is-test-case/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test case</a> plays a crucial role in guaranteeing the seamless operation of examination platforms. Let&#8217;s look at the comprehensive list of test cases that address online examination systems&#8217; diverse functionalities and user roles.



<div id="toc_container" class="no_bullets">Table Of Contents<ul class="toc_list"><li><a href="#What_is_an_Online_Examination_System">1 What is an Online Examination System?</a></li><li><a href="#Basic_Scenarios_for_Online_Test_System">2 Basic Scenarios for Online Test System</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Scenarios_for_Setting_Exam_Functionality">3 Test Scenarios for Setting Exam Functionality</a></li><li><a href="#Online_Examination_System_Test_Cases_For_Students">4 Online Examination System Test Cases For Students</a></li><li><a href="#Test_Case_For_Online_Examination_System_For_Teachers">5 Test Case For Online Examination System For Teachers</a></li><li><a href="#Negative_Test_Cases_for_Online_Examination_System">6 Negative Test Cases for Online Examination System</a></li><li><a href="#Can_We_Automate_Test_Cases_for_Online_Examination_Systems">7 Can We Automate Test Cases for Online Examination Systems?</a></li><li><a href="#How_to_Automate_Test_Cases_for_Online_Examination_Systems">8 How to Automate Test Cases for Online Examination Systems?</a></li><li><a href="#Conclusion">9 Conclusion</a></li><li><a href="#Frequently_Asked_Questions">10 Frequently Asked Questions</a><ul><li><a href="#What_are_the_testing_types_to_automate_test_cases_for_online_examination_systems">10.1 What are the testing types to automate test cases for online examination systems?</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#Suggested_Reading">11 Suggested Reading</a></li></ul></div>
<h2 id="h-what-is-an-online-examination-system">What is an Online Examination System?</h2>



An online examination system is a digital platform that administers, conducts, and evaluates exams over the Internet. It provides a convenient and scalable solution for educational institutions, recruitment agencies, and corporate entities to remotely assess candidates&#8217; knowledge, skills, and aptitude. Moreover, they streamline the entire examination process, from registration and scheduling to result dissemination, thereby saving time, resources, and manpower.



Benefits for organizations:



<ul><li>Facilitates the seamless conduct of entrance tests for skills certifications.</li><li>Enable the efficient evaluation of job applicants through aptitude tests, technical assessments, and psychometric evaluations.</li><li>Saves time and resources in collecting and collating the papers.</li><li>Offers better security and leak-proof management.</li></ul>



Read here more on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-cases-for-banking-application/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases for Banking application</a>



Benefits for students:



<ul><li>Enables candidates to take exams from any location with internet connectivity, eliminating geographical constraints.</li><li>Provides instant feedback and scores on objective-type questions.</li><li>May allow them to review their final answers.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-basic-scenarios-for-online-test-system">Basic Scenarios for Online Test System</h2>



This list of online examination system test cases consists of all the basic tests to run before moving on to checking more complex functionalities. You can follow these <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-case-template/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test case templates</a> to create the below tests.



<ul><li>Test user registration and authentication.</li><li>Test creation of exam templates and allocation of exam duration.</li><li>Check the configuration of exam rules and regulations.</li><li>Check if all the candidates are seeing the right paper and questions.</li><li>Validate that the exam is loading and opening properly and the timer is correct.</li><li>Test the email notifications for exam invitations.</li><li>Check the logos, icons, figures, and similar media sections in the exam.</li><li>See if the online examination system is able to handle interruptions, such as internet disconnection or power outages.</li><li>Ensure that only valid users/students can access the exam material.</li><li>Check if the system shows the correct details under different sections, i.e., profile, exam settings, score, dashboard, etc.</li><li>Check the integrations with external or third-party systems.</li><li>Test that only the users with valid credentials can access the settings page.</li><li>Test the forgot password functionality.</li><li>Validate that users can only access the examination paper and score they took.</li><li>Check if all the links and buttons before and after logging into the system are working properly.</li><li>Validate that user input is taken correctly by the system and not changed in the backend.</li><li>Test if examiners see the right answer sheets as given by the users.</li><li>Verify different exam formats, i.e., objective and subjective.</li><li>Verify different functions during the ongoing exam, i.e., timer, previous questions, next question, submit, re-check, skip, and more.</li><li>Check that the score is calculated accurately, including negative markings, if any.</li><li>Check if the exam automatically stops when the timer is up.</li><li>Verify if the results, in percentage of grade, are converted and displayed correctly on the platform for different users.</li></ul>



If you want to validate user authentication and registration test cases, read our blog on <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-cases-for-registration-page/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">registration page test cases</a>.



<h2 id="h-test-scenarios-for-setting-exam-functionality">Test Scenarios for Setting Exam Functionality</h2>



Settings are one of the most important sections of holding an online exam via systems. Any updates or changes in system settings drastically change the examination direction.



<ul><li>Verify the ability to create new exam templates with different question formats (multiple-choice, essay, etc.).</li><li>Validate the option to set exam duration and timer functionalities.</li><li>Test the functionality to add, edit, or remove questions from the question bank.</li><li>Ensure proper handling of question randomization and shuffling.</li><li>Validate the configuration of passing criteria and grading scales.</li><li>Test the feature to assign exam supervisors or invigilators.</li><li>Validate the implementation of question-level feedback or hints.</li><li>Test the integration with plagiarism detection tools for essay-type questions.</li><li>Verify the ability to import/export exam templates and question banks.</li><li>Test the functionality to schedule exams at specific dates and times.</li><li>Validate the option to set up prerequisites or eligibility criteria for exams.</li><li>Test the feature to configure exam notifications and reminders for candidates.</li><li>Test the functionality to enable/disable exam retakes and revisions.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-online-examination-system-test-cases-for-students">Online Examination System Test Cases For Students</h2>



<ul><li>Verify successful login with valid credentials.</li><li>Test user authentication mechanisms (e.g., two-factor authentication).</li><li>Ensure proper display of exam schedule and details.</li><li>Validate the ability to start and resume exams within the allotted time frame.</li><li>Test navigation controls within the exam interface (e.g., next, previous, skip).</li><li>Verify the functionality to answer different types of questions (multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, etc.).</li><li>Test the timer functionality and countdown display.</li><li>Validate the submission process and confirmation message.</li><li>Test for automatic submission when the time limit is reached.</li><li>Verify the display of exam results upon submission.</li><li>Test the option to review answers and change responses before submission.</li><li>Test for compatibility across various devices and screen sizes.</li><li>Verify proper handling of interruptions (e.g., internet connectivity issues).</li><li>Validate the option to flag questions for review.</li><li>Test the display of progress indicators and remaining time.</li><li>Verify the prevention of unauthorized access or cheating attempts.</li><li>Test the logout functionality and session management.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-test-case-for-online-examination-system-for-teachers">Test Case For Online Examination System For Teachers</h2>



<ul><li>Verify login functionality for teachers/administrators.</li><li>Test user authentication mechanisms and role-based access controls.</li><li>Validate the ability to create new exams and exam templates.</li><li>Test the option to customize exam settings and instructions.</li><li>Verify the functionality to add, edit, or remove questions from the question bank.</li><li>Test the configuration of grading and scoring criteria.</li><li>Validate the feature to schedule exams and set deadlines.</li><li>Verify the option to monitor exam sessions in real-time.</li><li>Validate the display of exam results and analytics.</li><li>Test the option to download or export exam data and reports.</li><li>Verify the implementation of data privacy measures for student information.</li><li>Test for compatibility with external learning management systems (LMS).</li><li>Verify the ability to review and moderate exam submissions.</li><li>Validate the option to provide feedback and grades to students.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-negative-test-cases-for-online-examination-system">Negative Test Cases for Online Examination System</h2>



<ul><li>Attempting to log in with invalid credentials and ensuring proper error handling.</li><li>Testing the system&#8217;s response to multiple simultaneous login attempts from the same user account.</li><li>Trying to access exam pages without proper authentication.</li><li>Submit incomplete or blank answers and verify the system&#8217;s response.</li><li>Attempting to navigate away from the exam page during an ongoing session.</li><li>Testing the system&#8217;s behavior when encountering network disruptions or server errors during an exam.</li><li>Submit answers after the exam time limit has expired and check if the system accepts or rejects them.</li><li>Trying to manipulate exam URLs or parameters to access unauthorized sections or content.</li><li>Attempting to upload files with unsupported formats during the exam.</li><li>Trying to bypass question randomization algorithms to view questions out of sequence.</li><li>Testing the system&#8217;s response to excessively long or complex user inputs.</li><li>Verifying the system&#8217;s ability to detect and prevent cheating behaviors such as copying from external sources or using unauthorized aids.</li></ul>



We have covered the majority of test cases and scenarios for you to build upon. Run a <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-case-review/">test case review</a> and start thinking about which one would require manual execution and which ones you can automate.



<h2 id="h-can-we-automate-test-cases-for-online-examination-systems">Can We Automate Test Cases for Online Examination Systems?</h2>



It is possible to automate online examination systems test cases. Automation can significantly streamline the testing process, improve efficiency, and ensure consistent test coverage. Many aspects of online examination systems, such as user authentication, exam navigation, question randomization, and submission handling, lend themselves well to automation. Automation enables the execution of repetitive test cases with minimal manual intervention. These <a href="https://testsigma.com/guides/test-cases-for-manual-testing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">test cases for manual testing</a> might be of help to you.



The use of <a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-automation-frameworks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">automated testing frameworks</a> and tools offer the capability to simulate user interactions, validate system responses, and detect anomalies or deviations from expected behavior. Moreover, you can use data-driven testing and parameterization to automate the execution of test cases across different environments and configurations.



<h2 id="h-how-to-automate-test-cases-for-online-examination-systems">How to Automate Test Cases for Online Examination Systems?</h2>



Suppose you have to test the scenario by submitting exam answers. It includes selecting the answer in objective type format or typing the answers in subjective type and clicking on ‘Submit’ before moving to the next question. This is a highly repetitive process, automating which will save time and labor.



Let’s see how you can do it with Testsigma.



<ul><li>Create a new test case to run the online examination system. Read how to create test cases in Testsigma.</li><li>Either create the test steps manually or use the record and playback option to capture the steps. In this case, we will log into the online examination system, attempt to submit an answer, and click on Submit after that.</li><li>Verify that the user can successfully submit and finalize their answers without encountering any issues.</li></ul>



 <button class="btn bg-primary cta-btn" style="margin: auto"><a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color:#fff">Explore Testsigma to automate your end-to-end tests for an online examination system</a></button> 



The tool supports <a href="https://testsigma.com/automated-web-application-testing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">web application automated testing</a>, mobile and API testing, and cross-browser testing on its platform.



Check out more features of <a href="https://testsigma.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Testsigma</a>



<h2 id="h-conclusion">Conclusion</h2>



Many organizations conduct online exams to assess their candidates’ skills. Almost all of them rely on a platform to create, manage, and administer such examinations. Only the systems that provide easy access, intuitive UI, and no learning curve are favorites of many. That’s when testing these platforms comes in handy. And that’s when this blog is useful in performing test cases necessary for validating an online examination system.



<h2 id="h-frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</h2>



<h3 id="h-what-are-the-testing-types-to-automate-test-cases-for-online-examination-systems">What are the testing types to automate test cases for online examination systems?</h3>



There are multiple testing types to automate for online examination systems test cases. Normally, it includes functional testing, usability testing, security testing, performance testing, and compatibility testing.



<h2 id="h-suggested-reading">Suggested Reading</h2>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/calendar-test-cases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Calendar Test Cases</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-cases-for-banking-application/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases for Banking application</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-case-for-captcha/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases for Captcha</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-cases-for-hospital-management-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases for Hospital management system</a>



<a href="https://testsigma.com/blog/test-cases-for-instagram/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Test Cases for Instagram</a>