---
title: "Bifurcated Test Definition | Model Diplomat"
description: "A bifurcated test is a two-stage legal standard used in courts, requiring both prongs to be satisfied. It's essential for legal analysis and adjudication."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/bifurcated-test"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- A bifurcated test is a two-stage legal standard that decides a question by analysing two separate prongs in sequence, each of which must be satisfied.
- What distinguishes a bifurcated test from a totality-of-circumstances test?
- How does the refugee 'well-founded fear' standard illustrate bifurcation?
- What are the two steps of the Article XX GATT analysis?
- Why does sequencing matter when applying a bifurcated test?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

A bifurcated test is a two-stage legal standard that decides a question by analysing two separate prongs in sequence, each of which must be satisfied.

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In US–Shrimp (1998), the WTO Appellate Body applied the bifurcated Article XX GATT test, first holding the US turtle-protection measure provisional under XX(g), then striking it down under the chapeau for arbitrary discrimination.

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