How to Be Regression Tester - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 3, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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The increase in the demand for software has led to a rise in the need for regression testing. Regression testing is an important process that helps to identify any changes or defects in already existing software. This is a crucial step in the development of software as it helps to ensure that the changes made do not adversely affect the existing functionality and performance.

By thoroughly verifying the existing code and providing timely feedback, regression testers help to ensure that the software is reliable, secure and performs as expected. Regression testing also helps to reduce time and cost associated with debugging and fixing errors which could have resulted from the changes made.

Steps How to Become

Acquire a Solid Understanding of Software Testing. To become a successful regression tester, it is important to have a solid understanding of software testing. A basic knowledge of the process and concepts of software testing is essential, including topics such as the software development life cycle, test design techniques, test execution, and test automation.
Develop Strong Analytical Skills. Regression testing requires strong analytical skills. Testers need to be able to identify changes in the system, analyze the impact of those changes, and assess the risk of introducing new bugs.
Learn How to Write Test Cases. To become a successful regression tester, it is important to have a good understanding of how to write effective test cases. This includes being able to define the scope of the tests, determine the priority of tests, and identify the expected results.
Become Familiar with Regression Testing Tools. Many organizations rely on specialized regression testing tools to automate the process of regression testing. It is important for testers to gain an understanding of these tools and how to use them effectively.
Learn About Automated Regression Testing. Automated regression testing is becoming increasingly popular as organizations strive to reduce costs and speed up the testing process. Testers should be familiar with the basics of automated regression testing, including the various types of automated test scripts and how to execute them.
Gain Experience in Regression Testing. The best way to become a successful regression tester is to gain hands-on experience with the process. This could include working on a project that involves regression testing, or taking part in a training program that focuses on regression testing.

The development of skills and competency for a Regression Tester is an important factor for success. The ability to identify and document issues, to execute tests and analyze results, and to communicate the findings effectively are all key components of a successful tester. To acquire these skills and competencies, one must invest time in learning the principles of software testing, and gaining experience in the field.

a commitment to ongoing education is essential, as the tools and practices evolve with the development of technology. By investing in training and practice, a Regression Tester will be able to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to be successful in their role.

You may want to check Database Tester, Integration Tester, and Manual Tester for alternative.

Job Description

Regression Tester: Responsible for executing test plans and analyzing test results to ensure the software meets its specifications. Responsibilities include writing and executing test cases, identifying defects, and developing regression tests.
Automation Tester: Responsible for creating automated tests for software applications. Responsibilities include designing and developing test scripts, running tests, tracking and analyzing results, and reporting defects.
Performance Tester: Responsible for evaluating the performance of software applications. Responsibilities include creating test plans, executing tests, analyzing results, and providing performance metrics.
Usability Tester: Responsible for testing the usability of software applications. Responsibilities include designing tests, conducting user studies, and evaluating usability metrics.
Security Tester: Responsible for testing the security of software applications. Responsibilities include identifying and assessing security vulnerabilities, verifying security controls, and recommending security improvements.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of software testing principles, techniques and best practices
Analytical and problem-solving skills
Knowledge of software development life cycle
Familiarity with test management tools
Experience in writing and executing test cases
Ability to track and document test results
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Proficiency in defect tracking and bug reporting tools

Regression testing is a critical skill for any software tester. It is used to ensure that the software is functioning correctly after any changes have been made to the code. Regression testing helps detect any unintended consequences of changes, such as bugs or errors, and ensures that the product remains stable.

The most important skill for a regression tester is the ability to think critically and identify potential problems before they arise. This requires an understanding of software development, as well as the ability to analyze data and evaluate the impact of changes. Good communication skills are also essential, as the tester must be able to effectively explain their findings to the rest of the team.

Finally, they must be detail-oriented, as the slightest discrepancy could lead to serious issues. Without proper regression testing, the final product may contain bugs or other defects that could have been prevented through thorough testing.

Compatibility Tester, Usability Tester, and Application Tester are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How do you ensure that a regression test is performed correctly?
What strategies do you use to prioritize regression tests?
How do you identify potential areas of regression testing risk?
What experience do you have with automated regression testing?
How do you approach debugging and troubleshooting of failed regression tests?
Describe a situation where you had to debug and troubleshoot a failed regression test.
How do you document and report regression test results?
What techniques do you use to ensure that all regression tests are comprehensive?
In what ways have you improved the process of regression testing in your previous roles?
How do you ensure that the regression tests cover all the functional requirements?

Common Tools in Industry

Selenium. Automated web testing tool that supports multiple browsers, languages, and platforms. (e. g. Simulate user interaction with a web page).
Bugzilla. Web-based bug tracking system used to manage software defects. (e. g. Report, track and manage software bugs).
TestRail. Automated test case management and test execution software. (e. g. Create, organize and execute regression tests).
Appium. Open source mobile application testing framework for testing native, hybrid and web apps. (e. g. Automate UI tests on real devices).
Postman. Tool for testing API endpoints and automating API tests. (e. g. Create requests and analyze responses).
JMeter. Open source load testing tool for performance testing web applications. (e. g. Create and run stress tests to simulate multiple users).
SoapUI. Automated testing tool for web services and APIs. (e. g. Create, debug and execute functional tests).
Ranorex. Automation tool for GUI testing of desktop, web, and mobile applications. (e. g. Identify UI elements and automate test cases).
QA Wizard Pro. Automated functional and regression testing tool for web, desktop and mobile apps. (e. g. Create automated scripts to test application functionality).
Katalon Studio. Automation tool for web, mobile, and API testing with a built-in recorder. (e. g. Execute test scripts and analyze results).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society for Quality (ASQ)
International Institute for Software Testing (IIST)
Association for Software Testing (AST)
International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)
Special Interest Group on Software Testing (SIGIST)
International Software Testing Educators Network (ISTEN)
Software Test Professionals (STP)
International Software Testing Association (ISTA)
World Association of Software Quality Assurance (WASQA)
Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)

We also have Performance Tester, Mobile Tester, and Acceptance Tester jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Automated Testing. A type of software testing that uses special software tools to control the execution of tests and compare actual outcomes with predicted outcomes.
Manual Testing. A type of software testing that is performed manually by a tester, without the use of specialized tools or scripts.
Regression Testing. A type of software testing that is done to verify that changes to the program do not introduce bugs or cause existing features to break.
Acceptance Testing. A type of software testing that is done to ensure that the system meets the criteria specified in the requirements, conformance and functional specifications.
Integration Testing. A type of software testing that is done to verify that components of a system interact correctly when integrated together.
Usability Testing. A type of software testing that is done to assess how easy it is for users to use a system.
Security Testing. A type of software testing that is done to determine if a system is secure and protected from malicious attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is Regression Testing? A1: Regression testing is a type of software testing that verifies that software previously developed and tested still performs correctly after it has been changed or interfaced with other software. Q2: What are the benefits of Regression Testing? A2: Regression testing helps to ensure that any changes made to a software system have not introduced any new errors or caused existing features to break. It also ensures that the system remains stable, reliable, and secure. Q3: What are the types of Regression Testing? A3: Types of regression testing include functional regression testing, which tests the functionality of a system; performance regression testing, which tests the performance of a system; and compatibility regression testing, which tests the compatibility of a system with different hardware and software environments. Q4: How often should Regression Testing be performed? A4: Regression testing should be performed after any changes are made to a system, such as a new feature or bug fix. It should also be performed periodically to ensure that existing features are still functioning correctly. Q5: What tools are used for Regression Testing? A5: Common tools used for regression testing include automated test suites, test harnesses, and test frameworks. These tools allow testers to quickly and efficiently execute regression tests and review the results.