Skip to content

Sonata Software Software Testing Interview Questions & Answers

Curated interview practice questions with answers. These are practice scenarios, not a verified list of past interview questions.

About Sonata Software hiring for Software Testing roles

Sonata Software is an Indian IT services company known for its work on Microsoft technologies, cloud modernisation and digital platforms. It serves clients in retail, travel, distribution, banking and healthcare with application development, Dynamics 365, data and testing services. In India it hires developers, testers, data engineers and functional consultants, and is a long-standing Microsoft partner for enterprise solutions.

For Software Testing roles, this Sonata Software practice set focuses most on Test Case Design (6), Agile, SQL and API Testing (5), Bug Life Cycle and Jira (5), STLC and Test Planning (5). It has 16 easy, 21 medium, 3 hard questions, so you can start easy and work up to the harder ones.

Company type
IT services
Headquarters
Bengaluru, India
Main India offices
Bengaluru, Hyderabad

Sonata Software Software Testing interview process

  1. Online assessment (aptitude + technical MCQs)
  2. Technical interview
  3. Managerial round
  4. HR round

Typical pattern based on public candidate experiences. Rounds vary by role, team and year.

Solved for Sonata SoftwareStart practicing
3 QUESTIONS FREESign up to unlock the full question bank and track your progress.Unlock every question and answer, then continue practising company-wise and package-wise.
3 questions free Unlock the rest in seconds
01

Explain three usability heuristics with examples from a web app.

Save to ▾
Show answer
Visibility of system status: after clicking Pay, show a progress indicator so users do not click again. Error prevention: disable the Submit button until required fields are valid, or ask for confirmation before deleting an account. Recognition rather than recall: show recently searched items and saved addresses instead of making users remember them. Other heuristics include consistency, user control with undo, and clear help for recovering from errors.
02

What is API testing and why is it important?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Testing services directly without the UI, checking status codes, responses, security and performance. It finds issues early and is faster than UI tests.
03

What are components, labels and fix versions in Jira?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Components are fixed sub-parts of a project, such as Payments or Login, often with a default owner. Labels are free-text tags, such as regression or ui, that anyone can add for grouping. Fix version is the release in which the issue is planned to be fixed, while affects version is where the bug was found. Testers use these fields to filter bugs and to build release-wise reports.
04

What is test automation and what problems does it solve?

Save to ▾
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.
05

What is mobile app testing and what extra checks does it need?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Test on real devices and OS versions, interrupts such as calls, battery, network changes, gestures, permissions and app store guidelines.
06

What are entry and exit criteria?

Save to ▾
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).
07

What do you check in mobile accessibility testing?

Save to ▾
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.
08

What is pairwise testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
A technique that tests all pairs of input values instead of every combination, greatly reducing test cases while catching most defects.
09

What is data mapping testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Data mapping testing checks that each field on a screen, file or API goes to the correct table and column with the correct format. For example, the Date of Birth field on the signup form must land in users.dob as a date, and the State dropdown must store the state code, not the label. Testers use a mapping document, enter known values in the UI or API and query the database to compare field by field.
10

SQL: how do you test that a primary key rejects duplicate values?

Save to ▾
Show answer
-- Insert a row, then try the same key again; the second insert must fail INSERT INTO users (id, email) VALUES (9001, 'a@test.com'); INSERT INTO users (id, email) VALUES (9001, 'b@test.com'); -- Expected: duplicate key or unique constraint error SELECT COUNT(*) FROM users WHERE id = 9001; -- Expected: 1 DELETE FROM users WHERE id = 9001;
11

What is defect leakage?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Defects found after release that testing should have caught; leakage % = defects in production / total defects x 100.
12

What is the difference between DELETE and TRUNCATE?

Save to ▾
Show answer
DELETE removes selected rows and can be rolled back; TRUNCATE quickly removes all rows and resets the table.
13

What is normalization and why should a tester understand it?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Normalization organises tables to reduce duplicate data, for example storing the customer address once in a customers table instead of repeating it in every order. Testers should understand it because it explains where data lives and which joins are needed to verify a screen. It also shows risk: in a denormalized report table, the same value is copied in many places, so updates must be tested to confirm every copy changes.
14

What is boundary value analysis?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Testing at the edges of input ranges, such as 17, 18 and 19 for an age limit of 18, since errors cluster at boundaries.
15

What is the difference between a test case and a test scenario?

Save to ▾
Show answer
A scenario is a high-level thing to test (user logs in); test cases are the detailed steps and data that verify it.
16

How does testing differ for native, hybrid and mobile web apps?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Native apps are built for one platform and use device features fully, so testing focuses on OS versions, device features, install and update. Hybrid apps wrap web code in a native shell, so you test both the web view rendering and the native bridges like camera access. Mobile web apps run in a browser, so testing is closer to cross-browser and responsive testing. All three need network, screen size and performance checks.
17

What is WCAG and what are its conformance levels?

Save to ▾
Show answer
WCAG, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines from the W3C, is the main standard for making web content usable by people with disabilities. The current version is WCAG 2.2. It has three conformance levels: A is the minimum, AA is the usual legal and contract target, and AAA is the highest and rarely required for a whole site. Each level adds success criteria, such as colour contrast at AA.
18

Write test cases for a signup form.

Save to ▾
Show answer
Mandatory fields, email format, password rules, duplicate email, terms checkbox, captcha, confirmation email and field length limits.
19

How do you test dark mode and large font settings in an app?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Switch the device to dark mode and check every screen: text must remain readable, icons and images visible, and no white flashes during navigation. Switch back while the app is open. Then increase the system font size to the largest setting and confirm text does not overlap or get cut off and buttons remain usable. Also test display size or zoom settings and both orientations.
20

What is the difference between retesting and regression testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Retesting, or confirmation testing, checks that a specific bug that was fixed now works, using the same steps as the original bug. Regression testing checks that the fix or a new change has not broken other, previously working features. Retesting is planned for failed cases only, while regression covers a wider set of passing cases. Retesting usually comes first, then regression around the changed area.
21

What is the difference between alpha and beta testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Alpha is done in-house by internal teams before release; beta is done by a limited group of real users in their own environment.
22

What is SQL injection and how can a tester check for it at a basic level?

Save to ▾
Show answer
SQL injection happens when user input is added directly into a database query, letting an attacker change the query to read or modify data. A tester can enter inputs like a single quote or ' OR '1'='1 in login, search and URL parameters and watch for database errors, unexpected results or a login bypass. Only test in approved environments. The real fix is parameterised queries, not input filtering alone.
23

Your automated tests pass one by one but fail randomly when run in parallel. How do you fix the test data so tests are independent?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Each test should create the data it needs, usually through an API or database helper, use unique values such as an email with a timestamp, and clean up afterwards. Avoid tests that depend on data made by another test or on a shared account other tests change. For fixed reference data, seed it before the suite runs. Independent data allows tests to run in parallel and in any order without random failures.
24

How do you handle pressure when many bugs are found close to a release?

Save to ▾
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.
25

What goes into a daily test status report?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Include the date, build or release, and planned versus executed test cases with pass, fail, blocked and not run counts. List new bugs by severity, open critical bugs with owners, retests done and any blockers such as environment downtime or missing data. Add a short note on risk and the plan for the next day. Keep it to one page so managers can read it in two minutes.
26

What is a test plan and what does it contain?

Save to ▾
Show answer
A document defining scope, approach, resources, schedule, entry and exit criteria, risks and deliverables of testing.
27

Explain SQL joins briefly.

Save to ▾
Show answer
INNER returns matching rows, LEFT keeps all left rows, RIGHT keeps all right rows and FULL keeps all rows from both tables.
28

What are test data and how do you prepare them?

Save to ▾
Show answer
The inputs used in tests. Prepare using valid, invalid and boundary values from production-like but masked data, spreadsheets or generators.
29

Which basic Git commands should a manual tester learn before working on automation?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Start with: git clone to copy the test repository; git pull to get the latest changes; git checkout -b feature/login-tests to create a branch; git status and git diff to see changes; git add and git commit -m to save work with a message; and git push to send the branch so you can raise a pull request for review. Also learn to resolve simple merge conflicts and never commit passwords.
30

What is backward compatibility testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Backward compatibility testing checks that a new version still works with older versions of things it depends on or that depend on it. Examples: a new app version opens files and data created by the old one, a new API version still serves older mobile app versions that users have not updated, and an upgraded database keeps old records readable. It prevents breaking existing users when only some parts of the system are upgraded.
31

What are the boundary values for an age field that accepts 18–60?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Test 17, 18, 19, 59, 60 and 61.
32

Tell me about a time you organised or ran a bug bash before a release.

Save to ▾
Show answer
Situation: a new seller onboarding flow was due in a week and only two testers had seen it. Task: I wanted wider coverage quickly. Action: I set up a one-hour bug bash with developers, product and support, shared test accounts, focus areas and a simple bug form, then triaged findings with the lead. Result: we found 18 issues, including two blockers on low-end phones, and fixed them before launch.
33

Write test cases for a calculator app.

Save to ▾
Show answer
Basic operations, division by zero, decimals, large numbers, order of operations, clear and backspace, repeated operations and memory keys.
34

What is the difference between authentication and authorization?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Authentication checks who you are, for example by password, OTP or biometrics. Authorization checks what you are allowed to do after you are identified, such as whether you can view reports or delete users. Authentication comes first. Testers check authentication with wrong credentials and expired sessions, and authorization by trying actions with a lower-privilege account or by calling restricted URLs and APIs directly.
35

What is a regression bug and how do you track it in Jira?

Save to ▾
Show answer
A regression bug is a feature that worked before but broke after a new change, such as login failing after a profile page update. It is usually treated with higher priority because it affects existing users. In Jira, add a label such as regression, set the affected version and link it to the story or change that caused it. Tracking these labels over time shows where regression coverage is weak.
36

Write a Postman test script that checks the status is 201 and the response contains an id.

Save to ▾
Show answer
pm.test('Status is 201', function () { pm.response.to.have.status(201); }); pm.test('Response has id', function () { const body = pm.response.json(); pm.expect(body).to.have.property('id'); pm.expect(body.id).to.be.a('number'); });
37

SQL: find orders whose total does not match the sum of their order items.

Save to ▾
Show answer
SELECT o.order_id, o.total_amount, SUM(i.quantity * i.unit_price) AS items_total FROM orders o JOIN order_items i ON i.order_id = o.order_id GROUP BY o.order_id, o.total_amount HAVING o.total_amount <> SUM(i.quantity * i.unit_price);
38

What is risk-based testing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Prioritising tests by the likelihood and impact of failure, so critical areas get the most coverage when time is limited.
39

What is error guessing?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Using experience to guess where defects likely hide, such as empty fields, special characters or unexpected sequences, and designing tests for them.
40

What is performance testing and its types?

Save to ▾
Show answer
Measuring speed and stability: load (expected users), stress (beyond limits), spike (sudden surge), endurance (long duration) and scalability testing.

Tips to crack the Sonata Software Software Testing interview

  • Brush up on C# or Java, SQL and basic cloud concepts, especially Microsoft Azure, since much of the work uses Microsoft stacks.
  • Prepare clear examples of debugging, writing test cases or building small applications from your projects or internships.
  • Read about Sonata's Microsoft partnership and platform modernisation focus so you can explain why the company fits your goals.
  • 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; Sonata Software interviewers usually ask follow-ups on your first answer.

Frequently asked questions

How many rounds are there in the Sonata Software Software Testing interview?

Candidates usually go through 4 stages: Online assessment (aptitude + technical MCQs); Technical interview; 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 Sonata Software Software Testing interview?

This practice set leans on Test Case Design (6), Agile, SQL and API Testing (5), Bug Life Cycle and Jira (5), STLC and Test Planning (5). Revise those first, then practise explaining one or two of your own projects end to end, because most Sonata Software interviewers ask you to walk through real work.

Are these the exact questions asked at Sonata Software?

No. These are curated practice questions that match the skills and difficulty usually tested in it services interviews like Sonata Software's. They are not a leaked or verified list of past questions.

Where does Sonata Software hire Software Testing professionals in India?

Sonata Software has large teams in Bengaluru, Hyderabad. Openings and locations change often, so check the Sonata Software careers page and filter by city and experience.

Software Testing questions for similar companies