How long does a Test match last?

Up to five days, with at least 90 overs scheduled each day. Many finish early, when one side bowls the other out twice.

What is the follow-on in cricket?

In a five-day Test, if the side batting second finishes 200 or more runs behind, the other captain can make them bat again straight away.

What times are the breaks in a Test match?

Play is split into three sessions, with lunch after the first (usually 40 minutes) and tea after the second (usually 20 minutes).

Can a Test match end in a tie?

Yes, but it is extremely rare: both teams completing their two innings with the scores level. A draw, when time runs out, is far more common.

Cricket · Guide

How long is a Test match?

Up to five days. Each day has three sessions and at least 90 overs. Plenty of Tests finish inside four days; if time runs out before a result, it is a draw.

A day of Test cricket

Three sessions of about two hours each.
Lunch after the first session, usually 40 minutes; tea after the second, usually 20 minutes.
At least 90 overs are scheduled each day. If they are not bowled in time, play can be extended by up to half an hour.
Bad light and rain stop play; lost time can be made up with earlier starts or later finishes on later days.

Day-night Tests are played with a pink ball, so the sessions are later in the day.

How a Test is won, drawn or tied

Win: bowl the opposition out twice for fewer runs than you score. Either "by X runs", "by X wickets" or "by an innings and X runs" if you only needed to bat once.
Draw: the fifth day ends before a result. A team can "bat for the draw" by keeping its wickets.
Tie: both sides finish all their innings with the scores level. It has happened only a handful of times in Test history.

The follow-on

In a five-day Test, if the team batting second finishes 200 or more runs behind the first innings total, the other captain can enforce the follow-on: make them bat again immediately. It saves time, but tired bowlers have to go straight back out.

Declarations

A captain can end their own team's innings at any time, called a declaration, to leave enough time to bowl the other side out. Timing a declaration well is one of the key tactical calls in a Test.

Quick answers

How long does a Test match last?: Up to five days, with at least 90 overs scheduled each day. Many finish early, when one side bowls the other out twice.
What is the follow-on in cricket?: In a five-day Test, if the side batting second finishes 200 or more runs behind, the other captain can make them bat again straight away.
What times are the breaks in a Test match?: Play is split into three sessions, with lunch after the first (usually 40 minutes) and tea after the second (usually 20 minutes).
Can a Test match end in a tie?: Yes, but it is extremely rare: both teams completing their two innings with the scores level. A draw, when time runs out, is far more common.