In most cases, a test will be one part of a fully developed assessment plan. Tests are commonly used in association with cognitive goals in order to review candidates' achievements with respect to a common body of knowledge associated with a discipline or programme.

Using this approach, there are two primary testing alternatives:-

1. Locally developed/ faculty generated tests and examinations,
   
   
2. Commercially produced standardized tests and examinations. Locally developed testing and examinations are probably the most widely used method for evaluating candidates' progress. For assessing the validity of an academic programme, examinations designed by the instructors who set the educational goals and teach the courses is often the best approach. Cost benefits, interpretation advantages, and quick turnaround time all make using locally designed tests an attractive method for assessing candidates learning.
   
   Tests designed for a specific curriculum can often prove more valuable when assessing candidates' achievement than commercial instruments. These tests focus on the missions, goals, and objectives of the study programme and permit useful projections of candidates' behaviour and learning. A well-constructed and carefully administered test that is graded by two or more judges for the specific purpose of determining programme strengths and weaknesses remains one of the most popular instruments for assessing most majors.