An advisory committee representing counselors, curriculum specialists, students, teachers, and community members should participate in selecting standardized tests for school districts. These steps should be followed: (1) identify test purpose in relation to needs and objectives--diagnosis, placement, career guidance, program evaluation; (2) describe group to be tested, consider costs, and predetermine minimum acceptable levels of reliability and validity--a reliability coefficient of .80 and a validity coefficient of .50 are generally suggested cutoffs; (3) check sources of test reviews--Mental Measurements Yearbook and the companion Tests in Print, publishers' manuals, journals, textbooks, and consultants; (4) narrow the search; (5) evaluate the remaining tests against predetermined criteria; (6) conduct a pilot test; (7) submit recommendations to the school board; and (8) monitor testing program implementation. Four indicators of quality for criterion-referenced tests are suggested. (A needs assessment checklist, list of objectives, and test evaluation checklist are appended.) (CP)