QA Engineer Test

A QA (quality assurance) engineer works within a software development team, ensuring that software meets the correct standards and the predetermined requirements before it is released to the public. The QA engineer test assesses candidates on their ability to perform the tasks needed in this role, with the right level of skills, knowledge, and competency.

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What is a QA Engineer test?

The QA engineer test assesses candidates for the skills that are needed to be successful in the role, and their level of expertise and experience dealing with work-related situations that they might come across were they to get the job.

The QA engineer test, like other job knowledge tests, is structured to put a candidate through different practical situations, assessing their working knowledge of different facets of the day-to-day work that they would be doing in this job. This includes focusing on their knowledge of software development, testing tools, and the system environment the software will be developed in.

These tests are becoming more common in recruitment because they provide a fair and transparent way to differentiate between a large number of applicants with similar educational backgrounds.

A candidate needs to demonstrate that they have a good grasp of both the theoretical and analytical nature of the QA engineer role, as well as the practical applications of the testing software, error checking and debugging processes.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is a QA Engineer test?
  2. Why should you use a QA Engineer Test for recruiting?
  3. How our test assesses QA engineering skills
  4. QA Engineer Test FAQs

About the QA Engineer Test

QA engineers need to be able to work on the full lifecycle of a software development project, communicating with different teams from the client to the developers to ensure that the software meets requirements and is efficient and user-friendly.

They will execute both automated and manual test scripts, analyzing the results to suggest improvements. The QA engineer test will show the recruitment team how skilled a candidate is in the areas that really count for a successful QA engineer career, in simple-to-read and easy-to-use datasets.

Why should you use a QA Engineer Test for recruiting?

When recruiting for a QA engineer, most recruitment teams will be looking for the same criteria to be met by applicants - at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, engineering, or software design, as well as certification from the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) at one of the three levels available.

Top candidates need to have certain hard skills, including:

  • Working knowledge of software development for Linux, Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems
  • In-depth knowledge of one or more programming languages, such as Ruby, Java, C#, C++, Python, and JavaScript
  • Working knowledge of QA tools and environments such as Bugzilla, TestDirector. SpiraTest and Testrail
  • Knowledge and experience of different testing methodologies: functional, smoke, security, performance, load, end-to-end, and API

While these might be listed in a resume, it is not always easy to gauge just how skilled or experienced a candidate is from that - and it is even harder to assess a candidate on their soft skills, which are arguably just as important to a QA engineer.

A successful QA engineer needs to be able to work as part of a team, using project and time management skills as well as leadership and excellent communication to be able to get a software project through the development process and ready for public use.

They need to be able to use highly specialized analytical and problem-solving skills to be able to predict problems before they occur, and test thoroughly with great attention to detail so that the end piece of software or application is fit for purpose and meets the required standards.

These facets of the right applicant are not easy to assess in more ‘traditional’ methods of candidate assessment such as resume reading or even during interviews, and this is why the QA engineer test can make a real difference to the recruitment process.

By assessing every candidate on the skills, knowledge, and competencies that are important to the role, the results paint a simple to understand picture of which candidates are likely to be successful - so the recruitment team can take them further into the process. This saves money and time in interviews, and ensures that the data used in selection is both quantifiable and objective.

The QA engineer test would be suitable for any role that needs testing knowledge such as a software engineer, data engineer or data scientist.

View a sample report

Results for the QA Engineer Test along with other assessments the candidate takes will be compiled to produce a candidate report.

The report is automatically generated and available both online and as a downloadable pdf so they can be shared with other team members and employees alike.

Download sample report
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How our test assesses QA engineering skills

Candidates will need to answer a range of questions that measure industry-specific technical skills where applicable (e.g. Microsoft Excel), soft skills (e.g. teamwork), aptitude (e.g. numerical reasoning) and relevant personality dimensions (e.g. logic). The results present a holistic view of how well-suited each candidate is for the job at hand, using a data-driven approach.

The format varies by question types, including multiple-choice for aptitude and technical skills, situational judgement for soft skills and agreement on a Likert scale for the personality dimensions. This approach ensures candidates are being assessed in an accurate and fair manner, and that results reflect the true underlying qualities of each candidate.

The characteristics, abilities, and knowledge necessary to work in quality assurance were identified using the US Department of Labor's comprehensive O\*NET database. O\*NET is the leading source of occupational information constantly updated by collecting data from employees in specific job roles.

During the development process, test questions were rigorously analysed to maximise reliability and validity in line with industry best practices. Our team of I/O psychologists and psychometricians – who collaborated with subject matter experts – created them and field-tested them with a representative sample of job applicants with varying experience, just like you might find in a talent pool.

Each test is reviewed by a panel of individuals representing diverse backgrounds to check for any sensitivity, fairness, face validity, and accessibility issues. This ensures each candidate has a fair chance of demonstrating their proper level of expertise.

Our QA engineer test is monitored to ensure it is up-to-date and optimised for performance.

Our test platform

Our platform offers an extensive library of hundreds of tests, giving you the flexibility to select and combine them in any way that suits your hiring needs. From understanding specific role requirements to assessing general cognitive abilities, our diverse library ensures you can tailor your assessment process precisely.

Multi-format.
Our test questions come in various formats, including multiple-choice, true and false, ranking and situational judgment, all ensuring comprehensive candidate assessment.
Role-specific simulations.
Experience real-world scenarios with our role-specific simulations, providing accurate insights into candidates' performance, readiness and fit for the position.
Adaptive scoring.
Our adaptive scoring system evaluates responses in real-time, by adjusting to the candidate's ability level, enhancing accuracy and reliability.

Curated by our
team of experts

Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3

Scientifically validated by psychometric specialists

  • Our team of assessment experts is made up of I/O psychologists, psychometricians, and subject matter experts who work closely together to ensure each test is accurate and reliable.
  • Our subject matter experts are rigorously vetted and typically have several years of experience working in their industries and hold advanced credentials.

Frequently asked questions

What are some of the most popular testing tools used by QA engineers?

Some of the most popular testing tools used by QA engineers include debugging tools like Bugzilla and Mantis, but also specific testing software like TestDirector and Test Manager. The QA engineer also needs to have excellent knowledge of one or more of the major software programming languages like Python, Ruby, or C++.

What is the difference between QA and QC?

The main difference between QA and QC is that quality assurance takes place during design and development to spot issues and potential problems, while quality control (QC) takes place once development is complete and the final product is ready for the public.

What is the cost for Neuroworx's QA engineer test?

Neuroworx operates on a monthly or annual subscription basis. We have several plans to suit your hiring needs, which you can check out here. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us to discuss a custom plan.

Can I get a free trial?

Yes, simply sign up (no credit card is required) and we'll give you unlimited access for seven days. Create as many jobs and test as many candidates as you want; you won't be charged a penny.

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