juniorSoftware Testing
What is the difference between a Priority and Severity of a bug?
Updated Apr 28, 2026
Short answer
Severity is the impact on the system's functionality; Priority is the urgency with which the bug needs to be fixed.
Deep explanation
At the junior level, testing is about understanding the fundamental objectives: finding defects and ensuring requirements are met. You must master the distinction between functional and non-functional testing. Quality is not just about the absence of bugs but the presence of value.
Real-world example
Testing a login form: entering correct credentials (positive) and incorrect ones (negative).
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'Severity' with 'Priority'. A typo on the homepage is low severity but might be high priority.
Follow-up questions
- What is exploratory testing?