Introduction:
The aim of the study was to examine the ceiling effect of Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Mini-BESTest (MBT) and to determine the most difficult items of the two scales in a group of functionally fit older adults.

Methods:
The total of 26 community-dwelling older adults were enrolled to the study. Their functional status and agility were evaluated with the 10-meter walk test and Four-Square Step Test, respectively, followed by the BBS and MBT. The descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Results:
The participants’ functional status and agility were higher than the reported normative values for the age group. The results of BBS indicated a very high ceiling effect; as many as 73.1% of participants obtained the highest score. When tested by MBT, only 3.8% reached the highest score of the scale. The ceiling effect difference between BBS and MBT was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The most difficult item was 360° turning for BBS and Timed Up and Go test with a cognitive task for MBT.

Conclusions:
The MBT presents a significantly smaller ceiling effect and is therefore more suitable for assessing balance even for balance trained older adults. The most difficult items of the two scales, i.e. 360° turning and Timed Up and Go test with a cognitive task, may be used as a short screening tool.