Definition - What does Diagnostic Test mean?
A diagnostic test is a test used to identify a condition or its cause. It is used to diagnose. A diagnostic test performed as a part of a medical exam may be used to identify the cause of symptoms or identify a disease. When used for other purposes, a diagnostic test may be used to identify specific strengths and weaknesses.
Diagnostic tests may also be used to determine the cause of a behavior or characteristic. For instance, a student having difficulty reading may undergo diagnostic testing to determine if he or she has dyslexia or a visual impairment.
SureHire explains Diagnostic Test
A diagnostic test is usually designed to identify a particular condition or set of characteristics. For example, a test to diagnose diabetes would look for physical characteristics associated with diabetes (such as high glucose blood levels a specific time after ingesting a controlled amount of sugar). While a test for hearing damage would be quite different in nature and scope. Beyond medical testing, diagnostic tests can be used to identify equipment failures, learning or social disabilities, and software malfunctions.
Diagnostic tests differ from others test in that a diagnostic test is meant to identify or measure the presence of a particular factor. At their simplest, a diagnostic test can render a yes or no answer. Often diagnostic tests not related to human beings are called troubleshooting. It is a method of narrowing down and finding answers to a problem.
