ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the symbolic power and ideology of tests and the specific mechanisms society invented to enhance symbolic power. The mechanism is based on the notion the symbolic power of tests derived and enhanced by the fact that a number of groups co-operate with one another to maintain social order and to perpetuate existing knowledge. Lemke argues to the political power of the texts, language exemplified through texts is powerful. The mechanism is widely used for enhancing power and it refers to translating success and failure on tests into currency - economic value estimates the worth of people. Creation of dependence mechanism refers to the fact children being tested from an early age. Children and parents accustomed to estimating the worth through tests. The combination of two sources of power - language and tests, is a very effective mechanism for enhancing symbolic power. The point the symbolic power of tests turns into ideologies.
