One advantage we have had in combatting COVID-19 is the early availability of a diagnostic test. The first test was released just one month after the first COVID-19 case was described; by contrast, a diagnostic test for SARS-CoV was made available four months into the outbreak. However, coming up with a test while the pandemic was evolving has also meant a rapid evolution of the test types. We discuss some of these developments, and expected changes to come, in this infographic.