Spellhold Tests Overview - Baldur's Gate 2
The Spellhold Tests are the final part of the Spellhold Dungeon that you'll have to complete before being able to leave. How these tests work is pretty straight forward, there are 2 routes available to you, a "good" and a "bad" path. Which of these 2 routes you find yourself on will change depending on what answers you give the Apparition throughout this test.
When following the "good" path you'll have the opportunity to get your hands on 4 different magical items, Cloak of Reflection, Bracers of Defense AC 5, Heart of the Mountain and Bone Club +2. If you exclusively follow the "good" path then you'll get a good Judgment at the end of all 3 tests which will net you 10k more EXP than the "bad" route.
Good Path Rewards: 52k EXP at the end as well as Cloak of Reflection, Bracers of Defense AC 5, Heart of the Mountain and Bone Club +2 available throughout tests 2 and 3.
Bad Path Rewards: 41k EXP at the end and no magical items available throughout the tests
As for how to follow the good route, you will want to agree to the test when the Apparition first appears then give him the correct answers to each riddle (with some exceptions). If you are hostile with the Apparition and refuse to take the test or give him the wrong answer you'll find yourself on the "bad" path.
In order to make things easier for you I have written 2 different guides, one of which will cover all of the good routes and the other covers all of the bad routes. For specific details about each of the events I recommend you follow the links provided below.
Continue to Spellhold Tests Good Path Walkthrough
Continue to Spellhold Tests Bad Path Walkthrough
When you finish all of the Spellhold Tests you'll find yourself in the same room that's shown above. This is known as the Judgment room and (as the name suggests) it's where the Apparition will judge you and your group. If you failed any of the 3 Spellhold Tests then you'll get the "bad" outcome which will result in the Apparition summoning a Mind Flayer and rewarding you with 41k EXP.
If you passed all 3 of the Spellhold Tests then you'll get the "good" outcome which will get you the praise of the Apparition as well as 52k EXP. All in all the differences between the two outcomes is quite minor at Judgment, the main differences are during the tests themselves.
Good Outcome: 52,150 EXP
Bad Outcome: 41,250 EXP
After you're finished being judged you can exit the Spellhold Tests and return to Spellhold Level 2.