测验，或称考试，是考试对象根据考核的目的，在规定的时间内，按指定的方式，解答事先编制的题目，按其结果给予评分的方法，是对被考查人的知识、智力和技能的一种测量。现代考试包括期中考试、期末考试（学期考试）、学年考试、毕业考试、升学考试等。考试的方法有笔试、口试、面试和操作考试。使教师了解学生掌握的知识水平，学生的思维、记忆、想像的特点，学生的态度和方法、思想品德和兴趣爱好等，进一步了解教学效果；使学生了解自己的学习成果、学习上的成绩和不足，促进学生身心健康发展。

但考试有其局限性，考试成绩仅能说明学生学习的部分情况，并不能代表学生的完全情况。同时由于应试教育在亚洲盛行，中国大陆、**、香港、日本、韩国、新加坡等地的学生陷入了考试深渊，也因此有关的辅导班和教辅数据越来越火热。

A test or examination (informally, exam) is an assessment intended to measure a test-taker's knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, or classification in many other topics (e.g., beliefs). A test may be administered verbally, on paper, on a computer, or in a confined area that requires a test taker to physically perform a set of skills. Tests vary in style, rigor and requirements. For example, in a closed book test, a test taker is often required to rely upon memory to respond to specific items whereas in an open book test, a test taker may use one or more supplementary tools such as a reference book or calculator when responding to an item. A test may be administered formally or informally. An example of an informal test would be a reading test administered by a parent to a child. An example of a formal test would be a final examination administered by a teacher in a classroom or an I.Q. test administered by a psychologist in a clinic. Formal testing often results in a grade or a test score. A test score may be interpreted with regards to a norm or criterion, or occasionally both. The norm may be established independently, or by statistical analysis of a large number of participants.