Consistent with its mission of synthesizing available information on performance assessment in a variety of skill areas, the Clearinghouse for Applied Performance Assessment has prepared this summary of the role of performance assessment in selected published tests of problem-solving skill. Performance assessment is defined in terms of assessment context, stimulus conditions, response mode, and scoring procedures, while problem solving is discussed as a psychological and educational construct. A historical review of strategies for the measurement of problem solving is followed by a synthesis and review of thirteen published tests of problem solving ability, with special emphasis on the role of performance assessment in these. Test profiles appear in the appendix, and are compared in terms of operational definition of problem solving, measurement strategies, response mode, and technical adequacy. In conclusion, three directions for future research are presented: (1) the determination of how general intelligence and problem solving can be used to understand real-life problem solving ability; (2) the development of simulated problem solving measures and; (3) the integration of problem solving activities with instructional programs, such as those dealing with the gifted, minimum competency students, and special education programs for the handicapped. (Author/AEF)