Tests
15m Bleep Test
The 15m bleep test is a shuttle run beep test performed over a shorter distance than the traditional 20m course. It is useful when space is limited, but it needs a clear protocol so scores are repeatable and comparable.
What is it
The 15m bleep test is a progressive shuttle run carried out between two lines that are 15 metres apart. The pace is controlled by an audio track (the “bleeps”), and the required running speed increases in stages.
People also describe it as a 15 metre shuttle run. The key point is that it is still an incremental fitness test; it is not simply “the 20m test, but shorter”. To keep the same speed profile as the 20m test, you typically need an audio track designed for 15m shuttles.
When to use 15m vs 20m
If you have the space, the 20m course is the most widely recognised format and is easier to compare with published charts. However, there are situations where 15m vs 20m bleep test setup matters more than tradition:
- Indoor testing: sports halls, school gyms, and community centres where 20m is not available.
- Large groups: more lanes can fit side-by-side across a shorter width.
- Safety and surfaces: shorter lanes can reduce the risk of collisions in crowded sessions, but turning is more frequent.
The trade-off is that shorter shuttles mean more turns per minute at the same pace, which can make the test feel more “stop-start” and can change how different athletes perform. For this reason, the safest approach is to keep your testing format consistent over time: if you start with a 15m protocol, stay with that protocol for comparisons.
Protocol
A practical protocol for a 15m bleep test is:
- Mark the course: two clear lines 15m apart (cones, tape, or paint).
- Warm-up: 8–12 minutes of easy movement, dynamic mobility, and a few short accelerations.
- Start: one foot behind the line; begin on the first audio cue.
- Running: reach the far line before (or on) the beep, turn, and return.
- Rule on misses: define it in advance (commonly, the test ends after a second miss).
- Record: final level/stage (if your track announces it) and total shuttles completed.
For repeatability, use the same footwear and surface each time, and standardise turning technique (tight turns with one foot on/over the line, not cutting early).
Conversion to 20m scores
People often ask for a direct conversion from a 15m result to a 20m bleep test score. In practice, conversion depends on how the 15m test was run:
- If you used a 15m-specific audio track: you can usually compare performance more reliably by using the top running speed / final stage rather than raw shuttle count, because the track is designed to represent a specific speed progression.
- If you used a standard 20m audio track on a 15m lane: the required speed is lower than intended, so the result does not map cleanly to a 20m level chart.
If you only have shuttle count and need a rough comparison, the most defensible approach is to convert to total distance first (shuttles × 15m). You can then report that distance alongside your 15m stage result. Treat any further “20m score” translation as an estimate unless your organisation provides an official conversion method.
Related: the PACER test is another shuttle-run format commonly used in schools.
Quick facts
- Shorter lane: 15 metres
- Needs a consistent audio protocol
- More turns than a 20m test
- Best compared within the same format