Running tests

Requirements

• Java 17+
• Maven
• IDE

Running the tests

mvn test

Objective

This task is designed to assess your ability to write and update automated API tests against a GraphQL and REST endpoint, using either Java/Rest Assured or TypeScript/Playwright. The aim is to validate that specific properties and values returned by the API conform to requirements.

Entitlements

Background:

The endpoint featureDecisions accepts an array featureCodes. Previously, your colleague wrote a test verifying that when requesting all features, the returned list included an object with a code property set to fp-1113.

Task 1: Assert specific feature's outcome

You need to write a new automated test that:

Sends a GraphQL query which requests only the object with code = "fp-1113" by passing this value in the featureCodes array. Verifies that the response includes an object code: "fp-1113" and its outcomeAsBoolean property is false.

Help: Modify query:

Modify the GraphQL query to: featureDecisions(featureCodes: ["fp-1113"]) { ... } Assert that the returned data contains only the required object, and that its outcomeAsBoolean property is equal to false.

Task 2: Unauthorised

You need to write a new automated test that UNAUTHORISED is returned with 400 status code when cookies are missing or invalid.

Task 3: Refactor the code

If you think the code might be refactored to improve readability and re-usability please do so.

Proposition bootstrap

Task 1: Validate Proposition Details

Objective: Write a test to verify that the endpoint returns proposition details that match expected business logic.

Endpoint:

https://join.thetimes.com/checkout/bootstrap?pc=ONS3001SZS7PB

Response:

{
    "data": {
        "postcodeAnywhere": {
            "accountId": "INDIV62404",
            "key": "AP21-JB73-CH52-UH45"
        },
        "promoCode": "ONS3001SZS7PB",
        "tenant": "tnl",
        "urls": {}
    },
    "propositions": {
        "code": "MP1161",
        "coolingOffDuration": 14,
        "coolingOffUnit": "Days",
        "countries": [
            "GBR"
        ],
        "currencyCode": "GBP",
        "groupAccountType": "Primary",
        "hasATrialPeriod": true,
        "isFree": false,
        "isRegistration": false,
        "monthlyCost": "30.00",
        "monthlyTrialCost": "3",
        "name": "Digital Pack - £1 for 3 Months",
        "paymentInitialAmount": "1.00",
        "paymentOngoingAmount": "30.00",
        "paymentTerm": "Upfront then Monthly",
        "paymentType": [
            "DIRECT_DEBIT",
            "CREDIT_CARD",
            "PAYPAL"
        ],
        "serviceActivationType": "DIGI_IMMEDIATE",
        "showOnboarding": true,
        "onboardingSteps": [
            "APPS",
            "NEWSLETTERS",
            "PUZZLES",
            "TIMES_PLUS"
        ],
        "isStudentPack": false,
        "verificationRequired": false,
        "type": "DIGITAL",
        "weeklyCost": "6.93",
        "weeklySaving": "6.93",
        "subscriptionSummary": {
            "featureExclusionSummary": [],
            "featureInclusionSummary": []
        }
    },
    "content": {
        "propositionPackImageUrlToPropositionCode": {
            "/checkout/image/MP1161": [
                "MP1161"
            ]
        }
    },
    "orderSummary": [
        "Your first payment of £1.00 will be taken on 23rd October 2025. After 3 months, your payment method will be automatically charged £30.00 on the 23rd of every month thereafter, unless you cancel by contacting our Customer Services team 2 days before your next billing date. You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within the first 14 days of your subscription."
    ],
    "orderSummaryDirectDebit": [
        "Your first payment of £1.00 will be taken on 5th November 2025. After 3 months, your payment method will be automatically charged £30.00 on the 23rd of every month thereafter, unless you cancel by contacting our Customer Services team 2 days before your next billing date. You are entitled to a full refund if you cancel within the first 14 days of your subscription."
    ],
    "prePopulationValues": {
        "firstName": null,
        "lastName": null,
        "email": null,
        "primaryFirstName": null,
        "primaryLastName": null
    },
    "customer": {
        "email": null,
        "displayName": null,
        "firstName": null,
        "lastName": null,
        "dateOfBirth": null,
        "title": null,
        "phone": null,
        "hasActiveSubscription": false,
        "accountAgeLessThan30Seconds": false,
        "checkoutType": "CHECKOUT",
        "paymentMethodDetails": null,
        "permissionState": null,
        "subscriptions": null,
        "permissions": null
    }
}

Instructions:

Make a request to the endpoint. Assert that:

• The object at data.propositions has the property code set to "MP1161".
• The property isFree is false.
• The countries array contains "GBR".
• The array property paymentType contains "PAYPAL".

Task 2: Check Payment Details and Onboarding

Objective:

Write a test that ensures payment and onboarding information is returned correctly for the proposition.

Instructions:

• Make a request to the endpoint. Assert that:
• The property monthlyCost under data.propositions is "30.00".
• The property paymentInitialAmount under data.propositions is "1.00".
• The property onboardingSteps includes "NEWSLETTERS" and "TIMES_PLUS".
• The property showOnboarding is true.

Task 3: Customer Details and Subscription Status

Objective: Create a test to check that customer details and subscription information are as expected for a new or unregistered user.

Instructions:

Make a request to the endpoint. Assert that:

• The object under data.customer has all the following properties set to null: email, displayName, firstName, lastName, dateOfBirth, title, and phone.
• The property hasActiveSubscription under data.customer is set to false.
• The property accountAgeLessThan30Seconds under data.customer is set to false.
• The property checkoutType is "CHECKOUT".

Deliverables

Code files containing automated tests (in Java/Rest Assured or TS/Playwright). Brief notes explaining assumptions and your approach.