--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/tests/test_conformity.py	Fri Jul 21 12:46:55 2017 -0700
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+
+"""
+test conformity
+"""
+
+import unittest
+from numerics import conformity
+
+class TestConformity(unittest.TestCase):
+    """tests for ensuring data conformity"""
+
+    def test_equal_lengths(self):
+
+        data = [[1,2,3],
+                [4,5,6]
+                [7,8,9]]
+
+        assert conformity.ensure_row_length(data) == 3
+
+    def test_nonequal_lengths(self):
+        data = [[1,2,3],
+                [4,5,6]
+                [7,8,9, 10]  # oops!
+                ]
+
+        e = None
+        try:
+            conformity.ensure_row_length(data)
+        except conformity.NonformantRowLengths as e:
+            pass
+        assert e is not None
+        assert isinstance(e, NonConformantRowLengths)
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    unittest.main()