I would think it will depend on the way it works.
If it is electro mechanical as in the sender directly converting rotating energy to electrical and then causing the needle of the speedo to move.
Vs
If it is 100% electronic the sender converts rotating energy to electrical (pulses, voltage, etc.) and then sends that info to the computer, the computer converts the input to a signal that causes the needle of the speedo to move
The first way you might be able to hook the sender to the speedo then spin the sender
Second way the computer and most of the wiring would have to be hooked up and the computer would need to know the engine is running, and then the sender would need to be spun.
There are guys who have the tools and knowledge to make the computer think all those things are working and can send a signal to the speedo thatched sender is going 70 mph ( for example)
Lastly a speedo shop should be able to know how to test it.
Good luck to you
Let us know what you find out.