If you do not know how to test a light switch with a multimeter or don't have one of these tools, you can still test a light switch. Using a simple, inexpensive voltage pen, you can effectively see if wires are live by touching them to the tip of the pen and watching for an active light.  Although there are other DIY methods of taking bare wires and connecting them to light bulbs, this approach is unsafe, especially for inexperienced individuals. If you don't have the right equipment, purchasing it or having a professional come to your home is best.