The purpose of this study is to inquire into present conditions and problems of current performance test and to try to come up with a fundamental alternative of it. Eventually, the studies of performance test so far can be labelled ‘prescription’ as a prospective approach. On the contrary, the fundamental alternative can be labelled ‘understanding’ as a retrospective approach. It can be seen that these ‘prescription’ and ‘understanding’ do not separate but represent both extreme ends of problem-solving.‘Prescription’ exists for ‘understanding’ and the latter can be acquired through the former. Just under this assumption, it can be accepted that ‘prescription’ as a prospective approach of performance test is an inevitable measure to achieve the purpose of it. However, the ultimate purpose of ‘prescription’ should proceed to ‘understanding’ as a retrospective approach.