the act of testing.

the testing or trial of a person's conduct, character, qualifications, or the like.

the state or period of such testing or trial.

Law .

a method of dealing with offenders, esp. young persons guilty of minor crimes or first offenses, by allowing them to go at large under supervision of a probation officer.

the state of having been conditionally released.

Education . a trial period or condition of students in certain educational institutions who are being permitted to redeem failures, misconduct, etc.

the testing or trial of a candidate for membership in a religious body or order, for holy orders, etc.

Archaic . proof.

noun

apprenticeship , noviciate , test period , trial , novitiate , postulancy