The goal of this study is to evaluate the performance of the SVAT scheme described by Viterbo and Beljaars (1995), the SVAT scheme currently used in the RACMO model operational at KNMI in the Netherlands, for different climatical and land use regimes. The results of this evaluation will be used for future improvements to this scheme. The evalution has been achieved by comparing the calculated soil moisture, soil temperature and surface fluxes with measurements and with detailed simulations with the SVAT-model SWAPS (Ashby et al., 1996). Both models have been run in stand-alone model with forcings at reference height. The experimental sites have been selected with respect to climatic regime and availability of long time series of measurements. The selected sites are HAPEX-MOBILHY (arable crop in temperate humid climate), HAPEX-SAHEL (savannah in semi-arid climate), FIFE-KANSAS (pasture in temperate humid climate) and HUPSEL (ground water influenced pasture in humid temperate climate). First results obtained with the HAPEX-MOBILHY and FIFE-KANSAS data set indicate a large underestimation of the bare ground evaporation and a slight underestimation of the canopy evaporation. The underestimation leads to an enhanced runoff and a too large soil moisture content in the upper soil