Have you ever watched a movie or read a news story and felt like something was missing? Maybe the story only showed one side. Maybe you didn’t see people like you. Or maybe it ignored some big truths about how the world works.
That’s where the Becher Test comes in.
The Becher Test is not a real science test or something you do in a lab. It’s a simple way to help you ask better questions. Questions like: “Is this fair?” “Who’s missing from this story?” “Does this show the full picture?”
This article will walk you through what the Becher Test really means, how it works, and why more people are talking about it in 2025. Whether you’re a teacher, writer, business owner, or just someone who wants to think more clearly, this guide is for you.
What Is the Becher Test in Simple Words?
The Becher Test is a tool that helps you check if something is fair, balanced, and includes different voices. You can use it on a movie, a school lesson, a news article, a company policy—even a social media post.
It’s not about giving a score or saying “pass” or “fail.” It’s about pausing for a moment and asking: “Am I seeing more than one point of view here?” “Are people from different backgrounds included?” “Is the story or message aware of power or privilege?”
The Becher Test helps you think more openly. It doesn’t tell you what to do—it simply guides you to think better.
Where Did the Becher Test Come From?
Unlike some tests that come from science or psychology, the Becher Test didn’t come from a lab or a university. It’s a conceptual idea, built to make people think more deeply about fairness and inclusion.
It’s inspired by other well-known tools, like the Bechdel Test, which checks how women are shown in movies. The Becher Test goes a little further. It looks not just at gender, but at many forms of identity—like race, culture, class, or ability—and how power works in those spaces.
The name “Becher” isn’t based on a real scientist or famous thinker. It’s more like a symbol—a reminder that we all need to pay attention to the stories we hear and share.
The 3 Main Questions of the Becher Test
The Becher Test is built around three simple but powerful questions. These help you check if a piece of content is wide, fair, and aware.
Here are the three questions:
1. Are different ways of thinking shown? This means asking: Does the content show only one idea or view, or does it explore more than one? For example, does a news article only show the opinion of the powerful, or does it include the voices of everyday people too?
2. Are different kinds of people included? Does the story include at least two different identities in a meaningful way? Not just in the background, but in a real, thoughtful role. Think of movies where characters from different races, cultures, or backgrounds talk, lead, and matter.
3. Does it show how power affects people? This means looking at history, systems, and how things like wealth, race, or gender shape a person’s experience. A story that talks about poverty without showing the system behind it may miss the full picture.
If something meets these three points, it likely passes the Becher Test.
How to Use the Becher Test in Real Life
You don’t need a checklist or an app to use the Becher Test. All you need is a curious mind and a few minutes to pause and reflect.
Let’s say you’re a teacher planning a history lesson. You can ask:
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Am I showing more than one side of this event?
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Are voices from different groups being shared?
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Am I showing how power played a role in what happened?
Or maybe you’re watching a new film. You can ask:
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Do the characters come from more than one background?
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Are they shown as full people, not just stereotypes?
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Does the movie mention social issues in a real way?
Using the Becher Test helps you notice things you might have missed. It can make your work stronger, your teaching better, and your thinking deeper.
Checking Movies, Shows, and Books with the Becher Test
The Becher Test is a great way to look at movies, shows, books, and even games with fresh eyes.
Let’s say you’re watching a drama series. Ask yourself:
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Are there characters from different races, cultures, or genders?
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Do these characters have real conversations—not just one-liners or background roles?
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Does the story talk about big topics like history, class, or injustice?
For example, if a movie only focuses on one group of people and avoids bigger social themes, it may not pass the Becher Test. But if it includes characters from different walks of life, gives them real roles, and explores how power affects them, that’s a good sign.
This test doesn’t make a movie “good” or “bad.” But it helps you see how stories shape the way we think about the world.
How Teachers and Schools Can Use the Becher Test
Education is one of the most important places to use the Becher Test. What students learn in school often shapes how they see the world.
Teachers can use the Becher Test to review:
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Textbooks that only show one country’s view of history
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Stories that leave out voices from women, Indigenous people, or people of color
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Science lessons that don’t include discoveries from other cultures
Let’s say you’re teaching World War II. Instead of just focusing on European battles and leaders, you could add the stories of African soldiers, Asian nations, or women who played key roles.
This doesn’t make lessons longer—it makes them richer. It helps students grow up with wider minds and deeper understanding.
Why Teams and Workplaces Should Try the Becher Test
Workplaces today are more diverse than ever. People come from different cultures, speak different languages, and have different needs. That’s why the Becher Test is also useful in companies, offices, and organizations.
Leaders and HR teams can use it to check if training, hiring, or marketing is fair and respectful. For example, does a training video show only one kind of worker? Do job ads speak to everyone, or just to a certain group?
Even internal emails and team meetings can be reviewed with the Becher Test in mind. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and included.
What Makes the Becher Test So Helpful
One big reason the Becher Test is powerful is because it’s simple. Anyone can use it. You don’t need special tools, degrees, or training. Just curiosity and a willingness to think deeper.
It also works across many areas—school, work, media, even parenting. Whether you’re reviewing a poster, a lesson, or a social media post, the Becher Test can help you ask, “Who’s missing?” and “Am I being fair?”
The best part? It’s not made to shame or blame. It’s meant to help. It gives people a friendly way to improve without fear of doing everything wrong.
What the Becher Test Can’t Do Alone
The Becher Test is useful, but it’s not magic. It can’t fix everything. It won’t solve deep problems on its own.
Also, it depends a lot on the person using it. Two people might look at the same thing and have different thoughts. That’s okay—it’s part of the process. The goal is not to get the same answers, but to start better conversations.
And finally, it’s not a full solution. The Becher Test is a great first step, but real change needs action too—like updating materials, changing how we teach or work, and making sure everyone gets a fair voice.
Real-Life Examples of the Becher Test in Action
Let’s look at how using the Becher Test can make a real difference.
A History Lesson
Before: A school lesson talks only about European leaders in World War II. After: The teacher adds stories about African soldiers, Asian countries, and women who helped behind the scenes.
A Brand Campaign
Before: An ad shows just one race or lifestyle. After: The company changes the ad to include people from different cultures, ages, and abilities.
A New App Launch
Before: The app works well in big cities but not in rural areas with slow internet. After: The team adds offline features, more languages, and time zone settings.
In each of these examples, asking a few small questions made a big change.
Can the Becher Test Shape the Future?
Yes, it can. As more people and groups care about fairness and diversity in 2025, the Becher Test has room to grow.
Some schools may add it to teacher training. Companies might use it in workshops. Developers may even build tools or apps that apply the test to content, websites, or lessons.
It could also be used in media certifications, like labels for TV shows or books that pass basic fairness checks. The more it’s used, the more natural inclusive thinking becomes.
The Becher Test isn’t a trend. It’s a mindset—one that’s ready to grow.
Bottom-Line
The Becher Test reminds us that stories matter. So do voices. And so does balance. It helps us pause and think:
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Have I shown more than one view?
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Did I include people from different lives and backgrounds?
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Have I noticed how power and history shape the story?
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be open. Whether you’re a teacher, artist, leader, or just a thoughtful person, the Becher Test helps you make fairer choices.
So next time you create something, ask yourself: “Is this wider, fairer, and more thoughtful?” That one moment can lead to better work, better talks, and maybe even a better world.
(FAQs)
Is the Becher Test a real scientific test?
No, it’s not scientific. The Becher Test is just a smart way to check if something is fair, balanced, and includes different voices. It’s more about thinking clearly than doing lab research.
Can a school textbook fail the Becher Test?
Yes—and many do. If a textbook only tells one side of a story or forgets to include different cultures and people, it would clearly fail the Becher Test.
Does the Becher Test work for social media, too?
Absolutely. Many social media posts lack different views or ignore how power and identity matter. The Becher Test can help make posts more thoughtful and inclusive.
Can big companies use the Becher Test?
Yes—and they really should. Many brands miss the mark by only showing one group in their ads or policies. The Becher Test helps make things more real and respectful.
Is the Becher Test only for movies or stories?
No—it can be used anywhere. You can apply the Becher Test to lessons, emails, meetings, policies, or even daily conversations. It’s a helpful tool for fair thinking in everyday life.
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