An apparatus (1) for testing a memory module (2) suitable for exchanging electrical signals with a motherboard (10) contains a device (8a-8k) suitable for detecting the operating state of at least one semiconductor chip (26a-26m) of the module, which device comprises a first set of signal lines (8a-8k), a microcontroller (3) with a memory device (32) for storing the operating state, said microcontroller being electrically connected to the signal lines (8a-8k), a clock generator (5) suitable for generating an operating clock, said clock generator being electrically connected to the microcontroller (3), and a signal connection (13) suitable for communicating a signal for controlling access to the memory module (2) between the circuit board arrangement (10) and the microcontroller (3) and for communicating to the microcontroller (3) a signal for initiating a process of detecting the operating state.