Beep Test FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions!)
There is a lot of information on this site, including details for conducting the beep test. You can also search this site. If you can't find your answer here, you can send your question to us.
Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about the beep test.
- How many levels are there on the beep test?
- What is the highest score?
- How do I know what a good score is?
- How can I improve my score?
- How fast do I need to sprint to keep up to the test?
How many levels are there on the beep test?
For the commonly used beep shuttle run test, the maximum score is 21/16, which would take 22 minutes to complete. However, no one has ever reached the end of the test. (see the beep test tables).
What is the highest score?
The highest confirmed score in the beep test is 17/1, achieved by quite a few athletes. The highest by a female is level 15 by two field hockey players. See more Beep test results.
How do I know what a good score is?
A beep test score result of a level and shuttle number may not mean anything without a reference point to make sense of the results. We have beep test rating tables (norms) to help guide you in the interpretation of the test results. You can use the tables to get a fitness rating based on the beep test score. You can also use the beep test calculators to get a VO2max score and a fitness rating for your score.
How can I improve my score?
The beep test is a measure of your ability to repeatedly run 20m with minimal rest. The best way to improve you score is with targeted and specific training. See our training guidelines. You should also make sure you are well prepared for the test so you can perform to your potential.
How fast do I need to sprint to keep up to the test?
You can determine the running speeds by looking at the corresponding speed level on the beep test tables. However, a speed in the units kilometers per hour don't necessarily mean a lot to most of us. The starting speed of the beep test is 8.0 km/hr. This is the same as running 40m in 18 seconds, or 100m in 45 seconds. This is not very fast, though you need to consider that you will need to slow down and speed up again as you turn at each 20m mark. The best athletes have reached level 17 in the beep test, requiring an average running speed of 16.5 km/hr. This is the same as running 40m in 8.72 seconds, or 100m in 21.8 seconds. That is still not super fast, but after you have already done over 170x20m runs by this stage, it is a very hard speed to maintain.
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