Test

A test is a procedure or instrument that measures a respondent's knowledge, abilities, or the presence or quality of a property. Tests can be formal or informal, standardized or ad hoc, and may yield quantitative scores or qualitative judgments.

In education, tests assess learning outcomes, skills, or mastery of content. They range from quizzes to high-stakes exams, and their design emphasizes reliability and validity. Scoring often uses norm-referenced or criterion-referenced standards.

In science and engineering, testing is used to verify hypotheses, evaluate performance, or ensure safety. This includes controlled experiments, stress tests, and quality-control checks. In medicine, diagnostic tests detect conditions or monitor health, and outcomes depend on sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.

In software engineering, testing verifies that software functions correctly and meets requirements. Types include unit, integration, system, and acceptance testing, aided by automated test suites and continuous integration.

The concept has a long history, with early examinations in education and civil service developing into modern psychometrics in the 20th century. Ethical and practical considerations include test bias, fairness, privacy, accessibility, and the responsible use of test results.