The reliability and validity of a trial examination for home economics is described. A preliminary test was submitted to 150 fifth year pupils who were not involved in the final examination, as guidance in constructing the accepted tests. The four methods used in the final analysis were: (a) a theory paper requiring nine written answers relating to general housecraft, food, fabrics, and family; (b) a practical examination composed of seven sub-tests; (c) an oral test; and (d) an assessment by teachers of pupils work over a period of five months. The assessment of the practical work covered interpretation, execution, and result. General conclusions suggest that: (a) The theory paper was too difficult and not sufficiently discriminating although its reliability was adequate. The validity obtained was encouraging; (b) The practical test achieved a satisfactory level of reliability and an encouraging level of validity; (c) The means of assessing the course work contributed a highly valid component to the total examination, but further work is needed to develop a more appropriate means of helping teachers to make objective assessments; and (d) The oral test was of low validity, and experience in this trial suggests a great deal more thought and work is necessary before such a test could be generally recommended. (Author/LS)