a law passed in England in 1673 which prevented Roman Catholics from holding any official public position, including becoming Members of Parliament , studying at a university or joining military forces. The law stated that people had to be members of the Church of England to do any of these things. It was not cancelled until 1828.
TEST ACT
Meaning of TEST ACT in English
Oxford guide to British and American culture English vocabulary. Руководство по британской и американской культуре, Оксфордский английский словарь. 2005