Abstract: An automatic test equipment is used to test integrated circuits. The test comprises applying signals to each input pin of the circuit at predetermined timings and in detecting output signals at the output pins of the circuit at predetermined timings. Each succession of timings, or time-plates, for an input pin and the corresponding output pin is controlled by a timing generator in the test equipment. When the number n of time-plates is greater than the number m of timing generators, the test is realized in several steps. The timing generators, which are reused for other time-plates during a second or further step, are selected in a way that minimizes testing time. The timing generators which are reused are those which require a minimum number of programming changes from the time-plate implemented during the first step.