Andy Dufresne is tested three times:
1) When he enters Shawshank, he is tested to see if he will crack and cry out in the night.
He doesn't make a sound. But another prisoner does and that prisoner dies.
The tests shows Andy is Strong.
2) Andy has an opportunity to play a record across the prison PA system. He plays it and gets solitary confinement. When he gets out, he's unchanged and remains strong.
To contrast this test we get Brooks who has been changed and who kills himself.
This test shows Andy is not institutionalized.
3) Andy helps Tommy pass his GED. Tommy reveals he knows who actually killed Andy's wife.
Norton kills Tommy which pushes Andy to escape through his tunnel.
This test shows Andy is Smart.
