A device for testing a test specimen for surface faults is equipped for delivering a magnetic flux into the specimen and has induction probes measurement sensors. At least two yoke legs have opposed gap-forming ends with oppositely poled exciter coils between which the test specimen can be guided. Outside ends of the yoke legs opposite the gap-forming ends are connected to one another by a magnetic flux conductor so that the magnetic flux runs perpendicular to the lengthwise direction through the test specimen. To adapt to test specimens of different cross section, the yoke legs can be moved and fixed. Testing of test specimens by means of high-energy magnetic alternating fields improved because the high heat losses produced in this process are adequately dissipated. The device is especially well suited to determine the quality of bars, pipes and the like in a hot rolling mill with high-energy alternating magnetic fields.