The author argues that intelligence and creativity tests have a double impact: they reveal some individual abilities while inhibiting others. He then classifies tests according to which particular individual ability they either reveal or inhibit. He suggests that the test content depends on its creator’s individuality, character and personal philosophy. He discusses some aspects of social and cognitive interaction between the author of the test and the tested subject, as well as possible sources of unbalanced test entries. In conclusion, the author argues that, although people will never be quite ready to diagnose their intellectual and creative potential, they should be aware of the danger of «suppressing the able» as a result of promoting and/or criticising testing.