Abrasiveness as an intrinsic property of rocks defines the extent of wear or loss when interacting with other materials. In engineering sectors like hard rock mining and tunnelling, comprehending rock abrasiveness holds paramount importance due to its direct effect on tool wear during excavation. Among the diverse methods for assessing rock abrasiveness, the  Cerchar abrasivity test emerges as the most widely used approach. Over time, the Cerchar test has garnered substantial attention from scholars, who have delved into the factors influencing test results due to testing conditions and examined the connection between the physical-mechanical parameters of rocks and their abrasiveness. Recent advancements in testing instrument have expanded our ability to measure additional parameters during rock cutting or drilling, yielding fresh insights for abrasiveness assessment, tool wear prediction, tool performance evaluation and rock excavatability estimation. The  Cerchar abrasivity test, coupled with recent developments in testing instrument and parameter measurement, holds promising potential for enhancing our comprehension of rock abrasiveness and its practical implications. This review systematically traces the evolution of the test. It commences with an overview of the test origin and progression, emphasizing its pivotal role in assessing rock abrasiveness. Furthermore, it consolidates and categorizes the research contributions from various scholars regarding the test. This includes enhancements and refinements of the testing apparatus, as well as investigations into various testing orientations and their effects on different types of rocks. Moreover, this review illuminates the broader applications and interdisciplinary possibilities of this test, not only in material science but also in tribology. It underscores how the insights gleaned from the Cerchar test can be extrapolated to diverse areas of research beyond the scope of rock engineering.