Abstract: A test method and apparatus for liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, and in particular LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) display devices, to achieve a pass/fail determination based upon user-defined tolerances of the LCD devices. The test apparatus side-illuminates the LCD device to provide reliable pixel defect detection and uniformity measurement. The test method is adaptable for LCD devices that have light emitting devices (LEDs) integrated into the LCD or separated from the LCD. The side-illumination provides a gradient of brightness that is further discernable into red, green, and blue colors. A monochromatic image can be driven by the LEDs using one of two drive schemes. The first drive scheme illuminates a single color according to a monochrome test mode. The second drive scheme drive a white image with a single LED illuminated such that a monochromatic image results. A module can reorder the testing according to the rate of failures for each test.