25+ Sample Software Test Cases with Templates & Examples

Introduction

In the intricate world of software development, quality assurance plays a pivotal role in ensuring that applications meet user expectations and function as intended. At the heart of this process lies test case creation – the systematic documentation of scenarios designed to verify software functionality and uncover potential defects. Whether you're a QA professional, developer, or project manager, understanding how to craft effective test cases is essential for delivering reliable software.

This comprehensive guide explores sample software test cases across various applications and domains. We'll dive into test case templates, best practices for test case design, and provide practical examples that you can adapt to your testing scenarios. By the end of this article, you'll have a robust understanding of how to create, organize, and implement test cases that maximize test coverage while minimizing redundancy.

What Are Software Test Cases?

A test case is a documented set of conditions and variables under which a tester determines whether a system under test satisfies requirements or functions correctly. Each test case includes specific inputs, execution preconditions, and expected outcomes designed to verify a particular aspect of the software.

Test cases serve multiple critical purposes in the software development lifecycle:

• Verification of requirements: Test cases confirm that the software meets specified requirements

• Bug detection: Identifying defects before the software reaches end-users

• Documentation: Creating a record of test coverage for compliance and future reference

• Communication: Establishing clear expectations between stakeholders

• Regression testing: Ensuring that new changes don't break existing functionality

Anatomy of an Effective Test Case

A well-structured test case typically includes the following components:

1. Test Case ID: A unique identifier for the test case

2. Test Case Title: A clear, descriptive name that indicates what's being tested

3. Test Case Description: An explanation of what the test aims to verify

4. Preconditions: Requirements or conditions that must be met before executing the test

5. Test Steps: Sequential steps to follow during test execution

6. Test Data: Specific values or variables used during testing

7. Expected Results: The anticipated outcome if the software functions correctly

8. Actual Results: The observed outcome during test execution

9. Pass/Fail Status: Whether the test passed or failed

10. Comments/Notes: Additional information, observations, or instructions

Here's a simplified example of this structure in action:

Field	Content
Test Case ID	TC-LOGIN-001
Test Case Title	Verify User Login with Valid Credentials
Description	Validate that users can successfully log in using the correct username and password
Preconditions	1. User account exists in the system<br>2. The user has an active account status
Test Steps	1. Navigate to the login page<br>2. Enter a valid username<br>3. Enter a valid password<br>4. Click the login button
Test Data	Username: testuser@example.com<br>Password: ValidP@ss123
Expected Result	User successfully logs in and is redirected to the dashboard
Actual Result	[To be filled during execution]
Status	[To be filled during execution]
Comments	Verify that the session cookie is created after a successful login

Sample Test Case Templates

A test case template provides a standardized format for documenting test scenarios. Using templates ensures consistency across your testing efforts and helps maintain comprehensive documentation. Here are three common templates used in software testing:

1. Basic Test Case Template

Ideal for simpler applications or when you need a straightforward approach:

Field	Description
Test Case ID	Unique identifier (e.g., TC-001)
Test Case Summary	Brief description of what's being tested
Test Steps	Numbered list of actions to perform
Expected Result	What should happen if the test passes
Actual Result	What happened during the execution
Status	Pass/Fail/Blocked

2. Comprehensive Test Case Template

For complex applications requiring detailed testing:

Field	Description
Test Case ID	Unique identifier
Module	Specific component or feature being tested
Test Case Title	Descriptive name
Test Case Description	Detailed explanation of the test purpose
Preconditions	Requirements before test execution
Test Steps	Detailed step-by-step execution procedure
Test Data	Specific values used for testing
Expected Results	Anticipated outcome
Actual Results	Observed outcome
Status	Pass/Fail/Blocked
Severity	Critical/High/Medium/Low
Priority	High/Medium/Low
Executed By	Tester name
Execution Date	Date of test execution
Comments	Additional notes

3. Agile Test Case Template

Streamlined for agile environments where efficiency is crucial:

Field	Description
ID	Unique identifier
User Story	Associated user story or requirement
Description	What aspect is being tested
Acceptance Criteria	Conditions that must be met
Steps	Concise test steps
Expected Result	What should happen
Status	Pass/Fail
Notes	Additional observations

Sample Software Test Cases by Application Type

Web Application Test Cases

Web applications require thorough testing across multiple dimensions. Here are sample test cases for common web application features:

User Authentication Test Cases

1. Verify Login with Valid Credentials

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the login page

     2. Enter a valid username and password

     3. Click the login button

   • Expected Result: User successfully logs in and is redirected to the dashboard
     

2. Verify Login with Invalid Credentials

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the login page

     2. Enter an invalid username and password

     3. Click the login button

   • Expected Result: System displays appropriate error message and denies access
     

3. Verify Password Reset Functionality

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the login page

     2. Click the "Forgot Password" link

     3. Enter registered email address

     4. Click the submit button

   • Expected Result: Password reset email is sent to the registered email address
     

Form Submission Test Cases

1. Verify Required Field Validation

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the form page

     2. Leave the required fields empty

     3. Submit form

   • Expected Result: Form submission is blocked, and error messages appear for empty required fields
     

2. Verify Email Field Format Validation

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the form page

     2. Enter an invalid email format (e.g., "test@test")

     3. Submit form

   • Expected Result: System displays email format error message
     

3. Verify Successful Form Submission

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the form page

     2. Fill all fields with valid data

     3. Submit form

   • Expected Result: Form submits successfully, and a confirmation message appears

Mobile Application Test Cases

Mobile applications present unique testing challenges related to device compatibility, touch interactions, and offline functionality:

Installation and Launch Test Cases

1. Verify App Installation

   • Steps:

     1. Download the app from the App Store

     2. Install the app on the device

   • Expected Result: App installs successfully without errors
     

2. Verify App Launch

   • Steps:

     1. Tap the app icon on the device home screen

   • Expected Result: App launches successfully within 3 seconds
     

3. Verify App Behavior After Device Restart

   • Steps:

     1. Launch the app and perform some actions

     2. Restart device

     3. Launch the app again

   • Expected Result: App restores previous state or shows proper initial screen

Touch Interaction Test Cases

1. Verify Swipe Functionality

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the screen with swipeable content

     2. Perform a horizontal swipe gesture

   • Expected Result: Content scrolls in the direction of the swipe
     

2. Verify Pinch-to-Zoom Functionality

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the screen with zoomable content

     2. Perform a pinch-out gesture

   • Expected Result: Content zooms in proportionally
     

3. Verify Button Response Time

   • Steps:

     1. Navigate to the screen with multiple buttons

     2. Tap each button

   • Expected Result: Button responds within 0.5 seconds with appropriate visual feedback

API Test Cases

API testing focuses on verifying the functionality, reliability, and security of application programming interfaces:

CRUD Operation Test Cases

1. Verify GET Request Returns Correct Data

   • Steps:

     1. Send a GET request to the endpoint /api/users/1

     2. Verify response code and data structure

   • Expected Result: Response has a 200 status code and returns correct user data
     

2. Verify POST Request Creates New Resource

   • Steps:

     1. Send a POST request to the endpoint /api/users with valid user data

     2. Verify the response code and the returned object

   • Expected Result: Response has a 201 status code and returns the created resource with ID
     

3. Verify DELETE Request Removes Resource

   • Steps:

     1. Send a DELETE request to the endpoint /api/users/1

     2. Verify response code

     3. Send a GET request to the same endpoint

   • Expected Result: DELETE returns 200/204 status code, subsequent GET returns 404

Authentication and Authorization Test Cases

1. Verify API Access Without Authentication Token

   • Steps:

     1. Send a request to the protected endpoint without an authentication token

   • Expected Result: Response has 401 (Unauthorized) status code
     

2. Verify API Access With Invalid Authentication Token

   • Steps:

     1. Send a request to the protected endpoint with an invalid authentication token

   • Expected Result: Response has 401 (Unauthorized) status code
     

3. Verify API Access With Valid Authentication Token

   • Steps:

     1. Send a request to the protected endpoint with a valid authentication token

   • Expected Result: Response has a 200 status code and returns expected data

Best Practices for Writing Effective Test Cases

Creating high-quality test cases requires both technical knowledge and a methodical approach. Here are the best practices to elevate your test case design:

Be Clear and Concise

• Use simple language and avoid ambiguity

• Write step-by-step instructions that anyone can follow

• Focus on one test objective per test case

• Include only relevant information

Use Traceability

• Link test cases to specific requirements or user stories

• Maintain bidirectional traceability between requirements and test cases

• Update test cases when requirements change

Design for Reusability

• Create modular test cases that can be combined for test scenarios

• Use parameters and variables instead of hardcoded values

• Document dependencies between test cases

Prioritize and Organize

• Assign priority levels based on criticality and frequency of use

• Group related test cases into test suites

• Use a consistent naming convention

Focus on Edge Cases

• Test boundary conditions (minimum/maximum values)

• Include negative test cases (invalid inputs)

• Consider unusual user behaviors and error conditions

Test Case Design Techniques

Different approaches to test case design can help maximize coverage while minimizing the number of test cases:

Equivalence Partitioning

This technique divides input data into partitions where all elements are expected to behave similarly. For example, when testing an age field that accepts values from 18 to 65:

• Valid partition: Ages 18-65

• Invalid partitions: Ages below 18 and above 65

You would then select representative values from each partition:

• Valid: 25, 40, 60

• Invalid: 15, 70

Boundary Value Analysis

This technique focuses on testing at the boundaries of input domains:

For the age field example (18-65):

• Lower boundary: 17, 18, 19

• Upper boundary: 64, 65, 66

Decision Table Testing

This approach is useful for testing complex business rules with multiple conditions:

For example, testing a discount calculator with variables for membership status and purchase amount:

Membership	Purchase Amount	Discount
Regular	< $100	0%
Regular	≥ $100	5%
Premium	< $100	10%
Premium	≥ $100	15%

Each row represents a test case with specific inputs and expected outputs.

State Transition Testing

This technique tests how a system transitions between states. For example, testing an order processing system:

• States: New, Processing, Shipped, Delivered, Cancelled

• Transitions: Submit Order, Process Order, Ship Order, Deliver Order, Cancel Order

Test cases would verify valid state transitions and confirm that invalid transitions are blocked.

Sample Test Case Examples

Let's examine complete examples of test cases for different scenarios:

Example 1: E-commerce Product Search

Test Case ID: TC-SEARCH-001 Test Case Title: Verify Product Search by Keyword

Description: Validate that users can search for products using keywords.

Preconditions: User is on the homepage with products in the database

Test Steps:

1. Locate the search box in the header

2. Enter keyword "smartphone"

3. Click the search button or press Enter

   
   

Expected Result: System displays a list of products containing the keyword "smartphone" in their title or description

Test Data: Keyword = "smartphone"

Example 2: Banking App Fund Transfer

Test Case ID: TC-TRANSFER-001 Test Case Title: Verify Successful Funds Transfer Between Accounts Description: Validate that users can transfer funds between their accounts.

Preconditions:

1. User is logged in

2. The user has at least two accounts

3. The source account has sufficient funds

   
   

Test Steps:

1. Navigate to the "Transfer" section

2. Select the source account from the dropdown

3. Select the destination account from the dropdown

4. Enter transfer amount: $100

5. Click the "Review" button

6. Verify details on the confirmation screen

7. Click the "Confirm" button

Expected Result:

1. The transfer is processed successfully

2. A success message is displayed

3. The source account balance is reduced by the transfer amount

4. The destination account balance is increased by the transfer amount

5. The transaction appears in the account history

Test Data:

• Source Account: Checking (*1234)

• Destination Account: Savings (*5678)

• Transfer Amount: $100

Conclusion

Well-designed test cases are the foundation of effective software testing. They provide clear guidelines for verifying functionality, uncovering defects, and ensuring that software meets user requirements. By following the templates, examples, and best practices outlined in this guide, you can create sample software test cases that are comprehensive, reusable, and aligned with your quality assurance objectives.

Remember that test case design is both an art and a science—it requires technical knowledge, analytical thinking, and an understanding of user behavior. Regularly review and refine your test cases to adapt to changing requirements and new insights from testing activities.

Key Takeaways

• Well-structured test cases contain unique identifiers, clear descriptions, precise steps, and expected outcomes.

• Different application types require specialized test cases addressing their unique characteristics.

• Use standardized templates to ensure consistency and completeness in your test documentation.

• Apply test design techniques like boundary value analysis and equivalence partitioning to optimize test coverage.

• Focus on both positive and negative test scenarios to identify potential issues.

• Link test cases to requirements for better traceability and coverage analysis

• Prioritize test cases based on risk, criticality, and frequency of use

• Test case creation is an iterative process that should evolve with the application

• Clear, concise language makes test cases easier to understand and execute

• Organize test cases into logical suites for better management and execution

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FAQ

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

A test case is a specific set of conditions and steps designed to verify a particular aspect of functionality. A test scenario is a broader testing situation that may require multiple test cases to fully test. For example, "Login Functionality" would be a test scenario, while "Verify Login with Valid Credentials" would be a test case.

How many test cases should I write for a feature?

The number of test cases depends on the complexity of the feature, risk level, and available testing resources. Focus on coverage rather than quantity—use test design techniques to identify the most critical test scenarios while minimizing redundancy. Prioritize testing critical paths and high-risk areas.

Should I include screenshots in my test cases?

Screenshots can be helpful in test cases, especially for complex UI flows or when expected visual results are important. However, they can make test cases more difficult to maintain as UI changes occur. Consider using screenshots selectively for critical or complex scenarios where visual guidance adds significant value.

How do I handle test data in my test cases?

Best practices for test data management include:

• Separating test data from test cases when possible

• Using representative data that covers various scenarios

• Creating dedicated test data sets for different testing purposes

• Considering data privacy regulations when using production-like data

• Automating test data generation for efficiency

How detailed should my test steps be?

Test steps should be detailed enough that someone unfamiliar with the system can execute them correctly. Include specific actions and expected results for each step. However, avoid excessive detail that makes test cases difficult to maintain. Find a balance that provides clarity without unnecessary verbosity.

How do I maintain test cases when requirements change?

When requirements change:

1. Identify affected test cases through requirement traceability

2. Update test cases to reflect new requirements

3. Archive obsolete test cases rather than deleting them

4. Create new test cases for new functionality

5. Verify that your test coverage remains adequate

6. Communicate changes to the testing team

Sources

1. International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) - https://www.istqb.org/

2. Ministry of Testing - https://www.ministryoftesting.com/

3. TestRail Test Case Management - https://www.gurock.com/testrail/

4. Software Testing Help - https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/

5. Guru99 Software Testing - https://www.guru99.com/software-testing.html

6. TestLodge Test Case Management - https://www.testlodge.com/

7. Association for Software Testing - https://www.associationforsoftwaretesting.org/

8. Test Automation University - https://testautomationu.applitools.com/