Get a working NPN transistor. You can order one online or buy one from a local electronics or hobby store. Select a common type of silicon NPN transistor, such as a small signal NPN transistor like the 2N3904. Read the transistor’s data sheet to determine the location of the transistor’s base, emitter and collector leads.
Set your digital multimeter to "Diode Test." Look for the diode symbol on your multimeter and move the function select switch to point to that symbol. Consult the multimeter's user manual if you can’t locate the diode test function.
Connect the multimeter’s positive probe to the transistor’s base lead. Connect the negative probe to the transistor’s emitter lead.
Read the measurement on the meter’s display. Compare the voltage reading to see if it's between the minimum and maximum values of the base to emitter saturation voltage given in the manufacturer's data sheet. For the 2N3904, the voltage should be between 0.5 volts and 0.95 volts.