What's your favorite test for general athleticism?

A well set out obstacle cource. otherwise shuttle runs as it encompases speed, accelaration, agility and some endurance

I always take away the task orientation of the test and have them play a game, (any dynamic game) When the mind is not occupied with "how good am I doing" movement flows and some surprising things happen.

I would go for a series of fun games that encompass each quality in its full. Nothing should be left out as there is a general tendency to do so eg shuttle runs do not measure strength.

the quadrathon test is always fun
i do it 3 times a year with my athletics group so they have a measurment of how their training is going (before winter training starts, after winter training/before season starts and during season).

its made up of the following to evaluate explosive power, ideal for throwers and jumpers.

Standing long jump
Three jumps
30 metre sprint
Overhead shot throw

how to do it can be found here http://www.brianmac.demon.co.uk/quad.htm

Sure tests for general athleticism should be sports specific. I accept there will be a test for more than one sport or age group. The tests have to be task specific and goal oreintated so that measureable results can be obtained.

Endurance, speed , and power// The mile run. Ther's no heart in the rest/

One of ht best tests I ever had to run was called the 40 by 40 ( or somethign along those lines) you set up markers every 10 yards ( or metres) for 40 yards / m . You have a time like 40s - it can me modified-
You have to run to the first marker and back, to the second and back, ect. until you are done. The time this takes should be within seconds of your time inteval. then you get to take that same time interval for rest, and then do it again. The idea is to complete it as many times as you can before you can no longer make the interval.- It feels good

thats sort of like the beep or bleep test then isnt it? except the interval stays the same

That seems like what runners do once a week for interval training olny usually at 400m or 800m. They usually do 4 reps per sets . building to around 5 sets...When this feels good they lower the pace and start over.
a elite seasoned runner wouldn't break a sweat running 40m repeats flat out for a couple of hours maybe.

The Shuttle Run Test ( Beep Test ) is great for a basic "general test" of aerobic fitness - remember not to confuse the specifics you also require.
Great to use, it provides a consistent base to logging fitness levels at the training intervals you require. Can assist greatly with goal setting.[=darkblue]