Patent ID: 8854907

Claim:
A semiconductor device, comprising: a memory cell; a data pad configured to receive data to be programmed into the memory cell or a write current to be supplied to the memory cell and output data read out from the memory cell or a cell current flowing from the memory cell; a sense amplifier configured to read out data stored in the memory cell; an input/output buffer circuit configured to buffer data received through the data pad or drive a signal outputted through the data pad; and a path switching unit connected between the sense amplifier and the input/output buffer circuit, and configured to set up a path so that the memory cell and the data pad are directly coupled when a test operation is performed, and wherein the sense amplifier and the input/output buffer circuit are coupled through a global read data line, and wherein the path switching unit comprises: a first switching unit connected between the sense amplifier and the global read data line; and a second switching unit connected between the global read data line and the input/output buffer circuit.