Would that it could be so simple. The word in Hebrew for "test" also means "tempt" or "prove."
Genesis 1:1 (KJV)
Gen 22:1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.
So tell me more about why you think God tests people. Is God trying to find out something? Why did this happen:
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
You could think of it this way. It's a test if you endure it. It's a temptation if you don't. Same word, two applications.
You are presented with a difficult or painful or threatening situation, or something that entices you towards itself.
This is peirasmos, test/tempt. Put something to the test to show what it is.
Peter wrote that as we endure our temptations/testings, it proves our faith is genuine.
God allowed Satan to tempt/test Jesus to prove Him sinless, and impeccable in the theological sense.
Jesus told Satan to get away. Jesus proved His Nature by His enduring through testing/tempting.
God never tempts/tests us beyond what we are able to endure, but with the testing/temptation provide a way out.
In the Greek, this way out speaks of a safe haven out of the sea, in this case, God, with every testing/tempting, provides a particular way out, that is, a certain destination where you will be safe.
He has in mind what He wants this testing/tempting to do towards changing your character and building your faith, and if we endure and look to Him, these things happen in the way He wants them to.
At the end of the day, I echo the prayer Jesus taught, "Lead me not into temptation/testing, but deliver me from evil". Testing/tempting is to prompt endurance in the face of hardship, in order to accomplish a certain improvement in us. So I pray, "Don't put me into that difficulty or enticement, just deliver me from the evil this is meant to lead me away from."
Much love!