How do you handle flaky tests in your testing suite?
Answer: Identify and fix root causes like race conditions or dependencies on external systems. Use mocking, isolate tests, avoid shared state, and if necessary, temporarily quarantine flaky tests while prioritizing fixes.
What interviewers expect
- A clear definition tied to Testing in Unit Testing projects
- Trade-offs (performance, maintainability, security, cost)
- When you would and would not use it in production
Real-world example
In a production Unit Testing application, teams apply this when handling user-facing features or integration boundaries. For example, you might use it during a sprint where reliability and observability matter—logging metrics, validating edge cases, and documenting the decision in an ADR so future developers understand why the approach was chosen.
How to explain in the interview
- Define the concept in one or two sentences.
- Context — where it fits in Unit Testing architecture.
- Example — a specific project, bug, or performance win.
- Trade-off — what you gain vs what you sacrifice.
Tip: Practice aloud on Toolliyo mock interview or the Interview Q&A section before your real interview.