The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word SAMPLES
S
A
M
P
L
E
S
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "tests" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case tests = samples.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does SAMPLES mean?
SAMPLES noun- A part or snippet of something taken or presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen.
- A subset of a population selected for measurement, observation or questioning, to provide statistical information about the population.
- A small quantity of food for tasting, typically given away for free.
- A small piece of some goods, for determining quality, colour, etc., typically given away for free.
- Gratuitous borrowing of easily recognised phases (or moments) from other music (or movies) in a recording.
- Example; pattern.
- To take or to test a sample or samples of.
- To reduce a continuous signal (such as a sound wave) to a discrete signal.
- To reuse a portion of (an existing sound recording) in a new piece of music.
- To make or show something similar to a sample.