Infinitive of purpose

There is a reasonably common expression BE to VERB which has the approximate meaning “BE expected/obliged/directed to VERB (at some point in the future)”. I am to help you with your homework = I have been told that I must help you with your homework John was to go to London the next day, but had to cancel the trip = It was expected that John would go to London the next day, but ... But I don’t think that construction is in play in this case. I think what you have here is an ordinary ‘infinitive of purpose’, where the infinitive clause to ensure transparency... describes the purpose of the test, combined with the loose colloquial use of the ‘copula’ BE. Formal English does not like this use, which casts the infinitive clause as a predicate complement; it prefers that you deploy the infinitive clause as a modifier of either a noun or an active verb: A computer-based test to ensure transparency in the selection process was incorporated in the design. The computer-based test was incorporated to ensure transparency in the selection process. But colloquially, it is a very easy step from a test to ensure transparency to The test is to ensure transparency—it is basically the same step as that from a red ball to The ball is red. I note that there are many grammatical errors in the source from which you drew this sentence, many of which are the sort made not only by non-native speakers but by native speakers who have not mastered the formally written dialect.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

We use be to + infinitive when discussing formal or official arrangements or to give formal instructions or orders and your examples illustrate these aspects very well. Further examples might be:   The Prime Minister is to make a further visit to Devon next week.   We are to receive a pay rise in line with inflation in September.   I don't mind her going to Ruth's party but she's not to be back late.   You are not to leave this house without my permission. Is that clear? The be to + infinitive structure is also frequently used in newspaper, radio and television reports to refer to future events. It expresses near certainty that what is forecast will happen. Study the following:   A man is to appear in court later this morning charged with the murder of the footballer, Darren Gough.   The Ministry of Trade and Industry has announced that it is to move three thousand jobs out of the capital and re-locate them in the North East.   Work is to begin this week on the new bridge across the Nile north of Aswan. We often use be to + infinitive in the if-clause in conditional sentences when talking about preconditions for something to happen. Study the following:   If we are to catch that train, we shall have to leave now.   If I were to increase my offer from five hundred to five hundred and fifty pounds, would you be interested in selling me your car then?   If we are to solve the world's pollution problems, we must address environmental issues now. Be to + passive infinitive is often used when giving instructions. It is noticeable always on medicine bottles and can be seen on other official notices too:   To be taken three times a day after meals.   These benches are not to be removed from the changing rooms.   No food of any kind is to be taken into the examination room. Note that although this structure is used to talk about current and future arrangements and events, it is configurated in present and past tenses - see the above examples. However, be to + perfect infinitive is sometimes used to show that a planned event did not materialise:   He was to have appeared in the West End show but broke his collar bone during rehearsals.   They were to have picked strawberries this morning, but the torrential overnight rain made the field too muddy.   Sammy was to have married Sarah but then Jamie came along and the engagement ring he had given her was returned.