An apparatus and method for estimating the proficiency of a software test according to EMS messages extracted from a code base. Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to providing some measurement of the proficiency of a test script for testing a software application. In one embodiment, data is collected on event messages generated during a test of a software application to form event message statistics. In one embodiment, a measurement is computed to identify an amount or percentage of software application code tested during the test script. A code base of the software application may include a central repository having a substantial portion of the event messages that may be issued by the software application in response to error conditions. In one embodiment, these event messages are taken from the central repository and stored within a database. Other embodiments are described and claimed.