1. A method for optimal ordering of tests in a set of tests, the method comprising: (a) providing a set of tests X, wherein each x i ε X includes the marginal reject probability r i that test x i rejects and the cost t i of executing test x i , wherein said tests x i ε X are statistically independent and wherein said tests x i ε X have no ordering constraints; (b) computing the quality value for each test x i ; and (c) scheduling said tests by sorting x i ε X in decreasing order of q i .