The author compares the efficacy of commercially available and internally developed standardized tests and evaluates their strengths and weakness in assessing student learning outcomes. The author shares the experience of a regional school in developing a standardized test to assess business knowledge. Data from a sample of 268 students were used to assess the reliability and validity of the test. The author explains how test results can be used for program improvements and concludes with a discussion of the overall benefits of that endeavor. The lessons learned may be useful to other schools seeking to develop their own test.