Test Script

Term from Quality Assurance industry explained for recruiters

A Test Script is a set of detailed instructions used by quality assurance professionals to check if software works correctly. Think of it like a recipe that testers follow to verify different parts of a computer program or website. Test scripts help make sure testing is done the same way each time and nothing important is missed. They can be written in plain English (manual test scripts) or in computer code (automated test scripts). This is different from casual testing where someone just clicks around without a plan. Other terms for this include "test case," "test procedure," or "test scenario."

Examples in Resumes

Created and maintained Test Scripts for company's main e-commerce platform

Automated 200+ Test Scripts using Selenium to speed up testing process

Developed detailed Test Scripts and Test Cases for mobile application testing

Typical job title: "QA Engineers"

Also try searching for:

Quality Assurance Engineer Software Tester QA Analyst Test Engineer Automation Engineer QA Tester Software Quality Assurance Engineer

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you decide which tests should be automated versus manually tested?

Expected Answer: A senior QA should discuss factors like test frequency, complexity, time savings, and maintenance costs. They should explain how they evaluate ROI for automation and prioritize which test scripts to automate.

Q: How would you implement a test strategy for a new product from scratch?

Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to understanding requirements, creating test plans, writing test scripts, choosing tools, and training team members. Should also discuss how they would prioritize different types of testing.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What information should a good test script contain?

Expected Answer: Should mention elements like test ID, description, prerequisites, step-by-step instructions, expected results, and pass/fail criteria. Should also discuss the importance of clear writing and maintaining test scripts.

Q: How do you handle test script maintenance when the software changes?

Expected Answer: Should explain their process for reviewing and updating test scripts, working with developers to understand changes, and ensuring test scripts stay current with new features.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is the difference between a test script and a test case?

Expected Answer: Should explain that a test case describes what needs to be tested, while a test script provides detailed steps on how to perform the test.

Q: How do you write a basic test script?

Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the basic structure of a test script including prerequisites, test steps, expected results, and how to document the actual results.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Writing basic test scripts
  • Following existing test procedures
  • Bug reporting
  • Basic testing tools usage

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Creating comprehensive test scripts
  • Basic test automation
  • Test case review and maintenance
  • Testing strategy implementation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Test strategy development
  • Advanced automation frameworks
  • Team leadership and mentoring
  • Process improvement

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience writing formal test documentation
  • Lack of attention to detail in their own work
  • Unable to explain basic testing concepts
  • No knowledge of any testing tools or methodologies