This study aimed to develop a criterion-referenced test to measure the basic competencies and skills in physics that should be possessed by tenth-grade students in basic education. This is because it is the last grade in the basic education stage. The study also aimed to identify the psychometric properties and determine the cut score using the Ebel method to classify students in terms of mastery. A descriptive-analytical method was used, and the tenth graders of basic education in Dakhiliyah Governorate for the academic year 2023/2024 represented the population of the current study, which consisted of 8064 students distributed over 83 schools according to the indicators of the Directorate of Education in Dakhiliyah. The actual study sample consisted of 848 students. The researcher also developed a criterion-referenced test to measure physical skills to achieve the objectives of the study according to sequential and orderly steps of the specifications of the Popham test, the most important of which are: defining the behavioural domain, defining the basic competencies (objectives), building the test items, and refereeing the test items. The test, which consisted of 40 items, was applied to a preliminary sample of tenth graders of basic education in Dakhiliyah Governorate consisting of 70 students to verify the validity and reliability of the test. After modifying the test items according to the previous procedures, the test in its final form consisted of 30 multiple-choice items. The test was presented to 12 experts with specialization and experience to verify the descriptive validity of the test. Exploratory factor analysis and correlation coefficients were used to verify the internal consistency reliability of the test. The coefficient of stability for internal consistency was found using three methods: Cronbach's alpha, which reached (0.82), split-half method with a value of (0.76), and Livingston's method, which equaled (0.84). The internal consistency reliability coefficient was found using the Kuder-Richardson method, which was 0.82, and the split-half method 0.76. The difficulty and discrimination coefficients were extracted to verify the suitability and effectiveness of the test items for the target sample. The cut score reached by this study was 20 with a percentage of 66.6%. One of the most important recommendations of this study is the training and qualification of educational personnel on standardized tests in terms of application to diagnose and assess students and classify them according to their proficiency in the core competencies and basic skills in physics specifically, and other subjects in general. Keywords: Criterion-referenced tests, competencies, psychometric properties, cut score