Over our lifetime we will go through many tests and exams. Throughout our time on earth, we are subjected to a multitude of tests and exams. We are tested long before we started school, and will be tested long after we cease writing "student" next to "Occupation:" on forms.
Many educators say that education is more than test and exam scores. While they hold a great ideal, the truth is that education is still driven by tests and exams. For proof, just go to any university lecture hall. Often the question most likely to be raised in class is "is this going to be on the test?"; and if the instructor announces in advance that the material in an upcoming lecture will not be tested, class attendance of the class will drop when that particular topic is covered. While tests may not be the perfect way to evaluate how much students have learned, they are the most objective way to measure students' progress. So tests will continue to be part of the education system, long after this article is buried and forgotten.
Many students longed for the day when they leave school, not because they dislike learning (in some cases, they may), but because they loathe writing tests and exams (seriously, I don't know any person who looks forward to write tests and exams). Only after leaving school do they realize that the "real world" is full of tests and exams as well (I probably belong in this group myself). Maybe we should have realized that there are exams in life after school earlier — many of us earn our right to drive while in school, and one cannot obtain a driver's license until passing (at least) a couple of tests.
There are a few professions where passing exams is required for accreditation (in fields such as accountancy, actuarial science, law, etc.). The pressure for passing these exams are quite large becuase these exams are only held a handful of times per year. Failure in these tests can be quite costly (from money and time needed to study for and to re-write the test, and being denied higher-paying positions).
Tests people face outside of school are usually harder to prepare for, mainly because the test-takers have little or no idea about what is going to be on the test. One example of a test that one can't prepare for is the job application test — while an applicant know what position one applied for and can try and anticipate what could be on the test, often the employer throws in a few surprise questions that may have little or nothing to do position the applicant has applied for (for example, someone applying for a job in an HR firm may have to give one's opinion and views regarding a quote made by a historic figure).
Many large companies now ask the job applicants to take personality tests before the applications are further considered. These tests often show a list of characteristics and ask the test taker to fill in the boxes next to the character traits that can be used to describe the applicant. (I think) the companies are using these tests to see how easy (or difficult) an applicant can integrate into the work environment and whether one's characteristics suit the traits needed for the job (someone who describes him/herself as inward-looking likely will not be a good salesman, for instance). Of course, the accuracy of these tests depend on the honesty of the test takers, and the only way to learn one's true characteristics is to work/live with that person. While personality tests are flawed, they will continue to be used by companies because very few companies (if any) are willing to pay someone in order to learn that someone's personalities.
I am sure most readers of this site have went through physicals. There is no way to prepare for them and the only way to get a good result is to keep fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle (sometimes that may not be enough). Some of these tests may detect illnesses and problems that we don't know we have, and allow us to get treatment sooner. These exams usually are the most important exams we ever take because (I believe) most of us would like to be healthy and disease-free for as long as possible.
As for tests and exams often raised in spiritual discussions, I don't think I have been tested often enough to write about them.