This paper offers a two-step review to be used in designing dominance assessment plans and in determining appropriate instrumentation. The first step provides a classification system of dominance instruments according to testing specificity and strategy. The second step suggests criteria by which such instruments can be evaluated and selected. Selected dominance assessment instruments are categorized in a three-way descriptive matrix. The global/specific dimension distinguishes instruments which tend toward generic screening of gross language behavior from those which tend toward a refined classification of specific language indicators. Within the global and specific modalities, oral and aural performance subclasses are designated. The third dimension consists of four major strategies: rating, home interview, indirect, and parallel instruments. Specific examples of instruments are given to clarify how the classification matrix operates. Criteria for evaluating and selecting tests include examinee factors relating to developmental and cultural appropriateness, administrative and logistic factors, and psychometric considerations. A sample evaluation of Burt's Bilingual Syntax Measure is provided. (CLK)