01
What are test data and how do you prepare them?
Show answer
The inputs used in tests. Prepare using valid, invalid and boundary values from production-like but masked data, spreadsheets or generators.
Citi Software Testing Interview Questions & Answers
Curated interview practice questions with answers. These are practice scenarios, not a verified list of past interview questions.
About Citi hiring for Software Testing roles
Citi is a global bank serving corporations, institutions and individuals through services, markets, banking and wealth businesses. Its India technology and operations centres in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai support global functions. It hires for software engineers, QA engineers, data engineers, data analysts and risk analysts.
For Software Testing roles, this Citi practice set focuses most on Bug Life Cycle and Jira (7), STLC and Test Planning (6), Test Case Design (6), Agile, SQL and API Testing (4). It has 3 easy, 35 medium, 2 hard questions, so you can start easy and work up to the harder ones.
- Company type
- Banking & finance
- Headquarters
- New York, USA
- Main India offices
- Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurugram
Citi Software Testing interview process
- Online assessment (aptitude + coding)
- Technical round 1
- Technical round 2
- Managerial round
- HR round
Typical pattern based on public candidate experiences. Rounds vary by role, team and year.
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02
What is state transition testing?
Show answer
Testing how a system moves between states based on events, for example an order going from placed to paid to shipped to delivered.
03
What do you check when testing an API in Postman?
Show answer
Status code, response body and schema, headers, response time, error messages for invalid input, authentication (401/403) and that data is saved in the database.
04
Product is running an A/B test on the checkout button. What does QA need to verify?
Show answer
QA does not decide which version wins, but makes sure the experiment is trustworthy. Verify both variants work end to end, users are split in the agreed ratio, each user sees the same variant consistently across sessions, and analytics events fire correctly for each group. Also check that turning the experiment off returns everyone to the default. A broken tracking event can make the whole experiment's result wrong.
05
What is defect leakage?
Show answer
Defects found after release that testing should have caught; leakage % = defects in production / total defects x 100.
06
SQL: find customers who placed more than three orders in the last 30 days.
Show answer
SELECT c.id, c.name, COUNT(o.id) AS order_count
FROM customers c
JOIN orders o ON o.customer_id = c.id
WHERE o.order_date >= CURRENT_DATE - INTERVAL '30' DAY
GROUP BY c.id, c.name
HAVING COUNT(o.id) > 3
ORDER BY order_count DESC;
07
What is a hotfix?
Show answer
An urgent patch released outside the normal schedule to fix a critical production defect, followed by regression testing and merge back to the main branch.
08
How do you write a good bug title?
Show answer
State the problem, location and condition briefly, for example 'Checkout button disabled after applying a coupon on the cart page'.
09
What sensitive data checks do you do in API responses and logs?
Show answer
Check that responses return only needed fields, with no passwords, password hashes, full card numbers, full ID numbers or internal keys. Verify personal data is masked where required, for example only the last four digits of a phone number. Look at application and browser console logs for tokens or personal data. Check error responses do not expose stack traces, SQL or server versions. Raise any leak as a high-severity bug.
10
What is scalability testing?
Show answer
Scalability testing checks how well the system handles growing load by adding resources, such as more servers or bigger machines, and whether performance improves in proportion. For example, if two servers handle 1,000 users, do four servers handle about 2,000 at the same response time? It finds limits that resources cannot fix, such as a single database bottleneck, and helps plan capacity for future growth.
11
How do you test a mobile app when the device storage is almost full?
Show answer
Fill the device storage close to the limit, then install or update the app and confirm a clear message if it cannot proceed. Inside the app, try downloads, photo capture, caching and saving drafts. The app should show a helpful error, not crash or corrupt data. Also check what happens to the local database when a write fails, and whether the app recovers after space is freed.
12
The developer says "it's not a bug". What do you do?
Show answer
Re-check the requirement, reproduce with clear steps and evidence (screenshots, logs), discuss with the BA/PO and record the final decision.
13
A page loads slowly only for some users. How do you investigate as a manual tester?
Show answer
Collect details from affected users: location, device, browser, network and time. Try to reproduce with similar conditions using browser network throttling. Use the browser developer tools network tab to find slow requests, large files or failing calls, and compare with a fast user. Check whether those users have more data, like a long order history. Share the slow request, timing and conditions in the bug for the developers.
14
SQL: verify that row counts and totals match between a source table and a target table after a data load.
Show answer
-- Compare counts and sums side by side; both columns must match
SELECT
(SELECT COUNT(*) FROM staging_orders) AS src_count,
(SELECT COUNT(*) FROM dw_orders) AS tgt_count,
(SELECT SUM(amount) FROM staging_orders) AS src_amount,
(SELECT SUM(amount) FROM dw_orders) AS tgt_amount;
15
Write test cases for a shopping cart.
Show answer
Add, remove, update quantity, price and tax calculation, coupon codes, stock limits, cart persistence after login and checkout navigation.
16
Design EP and BVA tests for a password that must be 8 to 16 characters and contain at least one digit.
Show answer
Length partitions: below 8 (invalid), 8 to 16 (valid), above 16 (invalid). Boundaries: 7, 8, 9, 15, 16 and 17 characters. Digit partitions: contains a digit (valid), no digit (invalid). Sample tests: 'abc1234' with 7 characters is rejected, 'abcdefg1' with 8 is accepted, a 16-character value with a digit is accepted, 17 characters is rejected, and 'abcdefgh' with no digit is rejected. Also test empty input and spaces.
17
What is test automation and what problems does it solve?
Show answer
Test automation means using scripts and tools to run tests, compare results and report them without a person doing each step. It solves slow and repetitive regression, gives fast feedback on every code change in CI, runs the same checks exactly the same way every time and covers many data combinations. It does not replace thinking: exploratory testing, usability judgement and new feature testing still need manual testers.
18
What is a duplicate bug and how do you avoid logging one?
Show answer
A duplicate bug is a new report for a problem that is already logged. Before raising a bug, search the tracker by key words, module, error message and recent open bugs, and ask teammates working on the same area. If a similar bug exists, add your extra information, such as another browser or data set, as a comment instead of a new ticket. This keeps the backlog clean and saves triage time.
19
What is a traceability matrix?
Show answer
A grid mapping requirements to test cases and defects, proving every requirement is tested.
20
What do you check in mobile accessibility testing?
Show answer
Turn on the screen reader, TalkBack on Android or VoiceOver on iOS, and check every button, image and field has a meaningful label and the reading order is logical. Check text scales with system font size, colour contrast is sufficient and touch targets are large enough, about 48 by 48 density-independent pixels. Make sure information is not shown by colour alone and that the app works without complex gestures.
21
What is the V-model?
Show answer
A development model where each development phase has a matching testing phase, such as requirements with acceptance tests and design with integration tests.
22
What is the difference between a walkthrough and an inspection?
Show answer
Both are static review techniques. A walkthrough is informal and led by the author, who explains the document or code to peers to share knowledge and gather feedback. An inspection is the most formal review: it has defined roles such as moderator, reader and scribe, uses checklists, needs preparation and records defects and metrics. Inspections find more defects but take more effort.
23
How do you test an email notification feature?
Show answer
Trigger the email from each event, such as signup or order placed, and verify it arrives at the right address within the expected time. Check subject, sender name, personalised fields, amounts and links. Click every link and confirm it opens the right page. Check the layout on desktop and mobile mail apps, the unsubscribe option where required, and that no email is sent for failed or cancelled actions. Use a test mailbox tool in QA.
24
How do you test a modal dialog for accessibility?
Show answer
Open the dialog with the keyboard. Focus should move into it, usually to the first field or heading, and the screen reader should announce it as a dialog with its title. Tab must stay inside the dialog while it is open and the page behind must not be reachable. Escape and the close button should close it, and focus must return to the button that opened it. Also check it reads correctly when zoomed.
25
The UI shows the correct order total, but the database has a different value. What do you check?
Show answer
Note the order ID and compare the UI value, the API response and the database value to find where they differ. Check if the UI calculates the total on the screen instead of using the saved value, whether taxes, discounts or rounding are applied at different layers and whether a later update job changed the record. Log the bug with all three values, because invoices and reports will use the database figure.
26
What is cross-site scripting (XSS)?
Show answer
XSS is a vulnerability where an attacker's script is injected into a page and runs in other users' browsers, which can steal session data or change the page. It occurs when user input is shown without proper encoding. Testers enter a harmless script tag or an image tag with an onerror alert in comments, profile names and search boxes, then check if it executes when the page is displayed. Output encoding prevents it.
27
What is a go or no-go meeting and what does QA present?
Show answer
A go or no-go meeting is held before release to decide whether to deploy. QA presents test coverage against scope, pass and fail counts, open defects by severity with their impact, known issues and workarounds, any untested areas and the overall risk. QA gives a recommendation, but the business owner decides. The decision and accepted risks should be recorded in the meeting notes.
28
How do you test a country dropdown that controls a dependent state dropdown?
Show answer
Check the state list is empty or disabled until a country is selected. Select a country and verify the correct states load. Change the country and confirm the old state selection is cleared and the new list loads. Test countries with no states, a long list with scrolling and search, and default values on page load. Submit the form and verify the saved values, then reload and check both dropdowns keep the saved selection.
29
What is test coverage and how do you measure it?
Show answer
The extent of requirements or code exercised by tests. Measure requirement coverage with a traceability matrix and code coverage with tools.
30
Write a JQL query for open high or highest priority bugs in the current sprint of project PAY.
Show answer
project = PAY
AND issuetype = Bug
AND statusCategory != Done
AND priority in (Highest, High)
AND sprint in openSprints()
ORDER BY priority DESC, created ASC
31
SQL: find duplicate emails.
Show answer
SELECT email, COUNT(*)
FROM users
GROUP BY email
HAVING COUNT(*) > 1;
32
What is a test basis?
Show answer
The test basis is the set of documents and knowledge from which test cases are derived. It includes requirement specifications, user stories with acceptance criteria, design documents, wireframes, API contracts, business rules and even existing system behaviour. A good test basis lets you trace each test case back to a requirement. If the test basis is weak or missing, testers must clarify it before or while testing.
33
What is the testing pyramid?
Show answer
A model with many fast unit tests at the base, fewer API or integration tests in the middle and a small number of UI tests at the top.
34
Write test cases for an OTP verification screen.
Show answer
Verify a correct OTP within validity logs the user in. Verify a wrong OTP shows an error and an expired OTP is rejected. Check the OTP length and that only digits are allowed. Test resend: it is disabled during the countdown, and the old OTP stops working after resend. Check the maximum number of wrong attempts locks verification. Verify auto-read on mobile, paste support, and behaviour when the network drops during submission.
35
What are entry and exit criteria?
Show answer
Entry criteria are conditions that must be met to start testing (build ready, environment set); exit criteria define when testing can stop (pass rate, no critical defects).
36
How do you test form accessibility, including labels and error messages?
Show answer
Check that every field has a visible label tied to it, so clicking the label focuses the field and a screen reader announces it. Required fields must be indicated in text, not only by colour or an asterisk without explanation. Submit with errors and check that messages are specific, appear next to the field, are announced by the screen reader and focus moves to the first error. Also check autocomplete for name, email and address.
37
Write test cases for a signup form.
Show answer
Mandatory fields, email format, password rules, duplicate email, terms checkbox, captcha, confirmation email and field length limits.
38
What is usability testing?
Show answer
Evaluating how easy and pleasant a product is to use by observing real users complete tasks and noting confusion.
39
How do you handle pressure when many bugs are found close to a release?
Show answer
Model answer: Situation: two days before a release, we found 15 new bugs in checkout. Task: help the team decide what to fix. Action: I stayed calm, retested each one quickly, ranked them by user impact, and shared a clear list in triage with must-fix and can-wait items. Result: we fixed five critical bugs, released on time with documented known issues, and no critical issue reached users.
40
How do you manage testing for multiple projects with competing deadlines?
Show answer
Model answer: Situation: I was supporting two products whose releases fell in the same week. Task: deliver both without dropping quality. Action: I listed tasks by release date and risk, agreed priorities with both leads, blocked focus time for each product and shared daily status. I also asked a teammate to take retesting on one project. Result: both releases went out on time with no critical escapes.
Tips to crack the Citi Software Testing interview
- Revise Java, SQL and data structures, which are commonly tested for Citi technology analyst roles.
- Learn basics of treasury and trade services, payments and capital markets, which are core Citi businesses.
- Prepare examples of handling pressure and attention to detail in a controlled, regulated environment.
- Keep a one-minute story ready for every project on your CV: problem, your part, tools, result.
- Practise the hard questions on this page aloud; Citi interviewers usually ask follow-ups on your first answer.
Frequently asked questions
How many rounds are there in the Citi Software Testing interview?
Candidates usually go through 5 stages: Online assessment (aptitude + coding); Technical round 1; Technical round 2; Managerial round; HR round. The exact rounds change with the role, team, location and your experience, so confirm the process with the recruiter.
Which topics should I prepare for the Citi Software Testing interview?
This practice set leans on Bug Life Cycle and Jira (7), STLC and Test Planning (6), Test Case Design (6), Agile, SQL and API Testing (4). Revise those first, then practise explaining one or two of your own projects end to end, because most Citi interviewers ask you to walk through real work.
Are these the exact questions asked at Citi?
No. These are curated practice questions that match the skills and difficulty usually tested in banking & finance interviews like Citi's. They are not a leaked or verified list of past questions.
Where does Citi hire Software Testing professionals in India?
Citi has large teams in Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Gurugram. Openings and locations change often, so check the Citi careers page and filter by city and experience.
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