This paper is concerned with a potentiodynamic polarization method based on reactivation from passive state. The suggested test method was verified on austenitic chrome-nickel and chrome-nickel-molybdenum steels with a stepped-up carbon content. For the purpose of adjusting the sensitivity of the new method, intercrystalline corrosion tests were simultaneously carried out using a standard solution in the presence of copper filings. The tendency of the individual steels to intercrystalline corrosion was assessed on the basis of determined intercrystalline corrosion regions in terms of temperature and the sensitization period, the so called Rollason curves. The ratio of charge during reactivation to that in the active region of the polarization curve (at increasing potential) expressed in percent appears the optimum quantitative criterion of the tendency of steels to intercrystalline corrosion. The sensitivity of the method can be adjusted for the individual types of steel by changing the experimental conditions, in particular temperature and potentiochange rate, as well as by the type or specific chemical composition of the electrolyte.