. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds from various cultivars were used to investigate the possibility to obtain as soon as possible the percentage of seed germination. After allowing the seeds to imbibe it destilled water during 20 to 40 minutes, at 25oC, on 2ml seed exudate it was applied, one drop of Na2 CO3 solution and one drop of phenolphthalein solution. At 30 minutes of imbibition it was possible to distinguish viable and non-viable seeds with the use of the solutions. Non-viable seeds presented their exudates colorless while in viable seeds it was pinky. Seed moisture content and solutions concentrations are very important to interpret the results.