The beep test involves running continuously between two points that are 20 meters apart. These runs are synchronized with a pre-recorded audio tape, CD or laptop which plays beeps at set intervals. As the beep test proceeds, the interval between each successive beep reduces, forcing you to speed up over the course of the beep test, until it is impossible to touch the line at the same time as the beep.
To perform this test you have to follow the following steps:
- Run back and forth between two lines, 20 metres apart.
- Your foot should be on or across the line each time the beep sounds.
- When the beep speeds up you must speed up too.
- Stop when you cannot keep up with the beep.
- The time at which you stop is recorded.