Being able to read schematics and have basic electronics equipment is likely tested because getting a license gives you the legal right to build your own radio

Being able to read schematics and have basic electronics equipment is likely tested because getting a license gives you the legal right to build your own radio equipment that can transmit on amateur radio frequencies, potentially worldwide. They make some effort to ensure you know some of the basics so you aren't stomping around on the frequencies and ruining the airwaves for others. Plus it's a good way to introduce some of the necessary concepts to tinker in the amateur radio space. When I was trying to pick up signals from as far as possible, I used the knowledge I gained from studying for a license to inform how I needed to alter my setup (knowledge of antenna construction, impedance and basic circuits like a balun for example). The license studying material actually provided an excellent starting point which helped me know exactly what I needed to search about online :) I think the overall point is, if people don't grasp those basic concepts, they are probably not well-suited to the world of amateur radio and will cause trouble when they buy some expensive radios and misconfigure them, or start making seriously questionable DIY radio equipment, or so on.