This document discusses preclinical screening methods for sedative and hypnotic drugs. It describes physiology of sleep and the basic pharmacology of sedative-hypnotics. In vivo screening methods are outlined, including open field tests to measure sedation and hole board tests or combined open field tests to measure sedation and curiosity. Tests to measure hypnotic effects include potentiation of hexobarbital sleeping time and experimental insomnia in rats. In vitro screening methods like EEG registration in conscious cats and automated rat sleep analysis are also summarized. The document provides an overview of preclinical tests used to characterize new sedative and hypnotic compounds.