The introduction, reception and development of the work of Alfred Binet (1857-1911) in Brazil are focused in order to evaluate its impact on the establishment and consolidation of the field of psychology in the country. The development of psychological tests had a decisive role on the evolution of Brazilian psychological knowledge. Although it had been based on systematic research in the beginning, the movement for professionalization of the psychologist assigned a secondary role to research later on. More recently this activity has been strengthened, followed by a trend towards the reevaluation of tests' validity. In conclusion, it is expected that these movements contribute to invigorate and to render more reliable psychometric instruments presently used in Brazil.