NOVELTY - Screening (I) catalysts for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation comprises: preparing test catalyst by adding a promoter of e.g. group IB, metals, to a reference catalyst of a supported group VIII metal catalyst precursor; preparing liquid reactant stream; testing both catalysts by contacting stream and hydrogen:carbon monoxide gas mixture (2:1) in continuous flow with test catalyst and reference catalyst, respectively; condensing substantially all of the n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; measuring concentrations of products; and determining and comparing performance parameters for both catalysts.    USE - The method is useful for screening catalysts for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation.    ADVANTAGE - The method provides a catalyst that exhibits a satisfactory conversion, high selectivity, and sustained activity in liquid-phase selective hydrogenation.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Screening (I) catalysts for liquid-phase selective hydrogenation comprises: preparing a test catalyst by adding a promoter of group IB, IIB, IIIA and/or VIIB metals, to a reference catalyst comprising a supported group VIII metal catalyst precursor; preparing a liquid reactant stream comprising acetylene (1-10 wt.%) dissolved in n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; testing the test catalyst and the reference catalyst by contacting the reactant stream and hydrogen:carbon monoxide gas mixture (2:1) in continuous flow with the test catalyst and reference catalyst, respectively, at a feed ratio of hydrogen:acetylene (1:1-4:1) at selective hydrogenation reaction conditions to produce a product stream; condensing substantially all of the n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from the product stream; measuring the concentrations of products comprising acetylene, ethylene and ethane in the product stream at steady state; determining performance parameters for the test catalyst and the reference catalyst comprising the respective acetylene conversion selectivity (Sc) and ethylene selectivity relative to ethane screening selectivity (Ss); and comparing the test catalyst performance parameters with the reference catalyst. INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) making (II) a promoted catalyst for selective hydrogenation comprising: impregnating a carrier by incipient wetness impregnation with an aqueous solution of the promoter, to deposit the promoter on the carrier in a finished concentration of 0.05-1 wt.%; drying the product of the impregnation for 1 hour at 150 degrees C; calcining the dried product at 300 degrees C; and reducing the calcined product for 1-2 hours at 100-425 degrees C in an atmosphere consisting of 2:1 mixture of hydrogen:carbon monoxide gas at 150-250 psig; and    (2) a catalyst made by any one of the above methods.