Testing the ignition coil

I suspect the ignition coil pack or igniter or module on my friend's 1995
Accent 12 valve engine for causing the hesitation problems. Is there a
reliable way to test it for the somewhat common failure? Would testing them
with a spark plug for a good spark be sufficient? If the coil is bad, would
I notice a weak spark while cranking, or would I have to run the engine with
one spark plug out?

 

Nearly every test I do on these shows they're good unless there's no spark
coming out. I'm to the point where if I think it's the coil, I go to the
parts department, get a coil, then take it to the car and plug it up
without bolting it on.

 

Thanks. It ended up working fine after we changed the wires but I suspect
the coil may be weaker than it used to be. Usually bad wires don't make the
car run horrible, just a little worse.