In certain inventive aspects there are provided an optical recording method, an evaluation indicator acquiring method, an optical recording apparatus, and a CPU device, which can save a test time before recording information. An irradiation condition suitable for recording information on a first recording layer is extracted by recording and reproducing test information. The test information is recorded on and reproduced from a second recording layer. The irradiation condition suitable for recording information on the second recording layer is extracted on the basis of the test result for the first recording layer and the test result for the second recording layer. Accordingly, it is possible to save the test time for extracting the irradiation condition of the second recording layer.