to give sb/sth a number of tasks to perform in order to see what they are capable of doing
PUT SB/STH THROUGH THEIR / ITS PACES
Meaning of PUT SB/STH THROUGH THEIR / ITS PACES in English
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005