Methods currently in use to determine the biophysical properties of starch include instrumental techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and the rapid visco analyser (RVA). The main application of RVA in the cereal industry has been for the analysis of the effects of rain damage on grain quality (sprouting) at the delivery point. In recent years, this method has been also extended to other fields such as simulate the commercial processing conditions in the brewhouse, to evaluate the effects of pH and temperature on starch gelatinization and to detect major changes in viscosity related to proteolytic and saccharification activity. In the last two decades, the use of RVA has been extended as a tool in breeding and varietal selection in cereals. This article reviews the use of RVA to measure pasting properties in cereals in order to extend the application in breeding and selection.