The ten primary test parameters that must be verified for a cable link to meet TIA/EIA standards are:
Wire map
Insertion loss
Near-end crosstalk (NEXT)
Power sum near-end crosstalk (PSNEXT)
Equal-level far-end crosstalk (ELFEXT)
Power sum equal-level far-end crosstalk (PSELFEXT)
Return loss
Propagation delay
Cable length
Delay skew
More information:
How to make a straight through cable?
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/cat5diy2.html
How to make a crossover cable?