Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) increase the thermal capability and enhance efficiency of gas turbines and jet engines. Their industrial and commercial importance has motivated researchers to discover more effective material compositions. One difficulty arises in comparing the toughness of emerging materials with those currently in use. Hence, this study focuses on validating a toughness test in order to have a means of comparison, specifically between 7 wt% yttria stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) and cerium titania stabilized zirconia (CeTiSZ). 7YSZ is the current state of the art TBC and as such the toughness has previously been determined and will be used as a baseline. The phase stability and hypothesized higher toughness of CeTiSZ makes it a material of interest. Sample preparation relies on the production of fine and uniform powders that are subsequently formed into homogeneously dense, bulk ceramic bars of 7YSZ. These specimens are then placed under a three point bend test to assess their toughness values. Use of a three point bend test is due to its simplicity as well as its well developed testing mechanism. Accurate values for 7YSZ, will be compared with additional stabilized zirconia materials, such as CeTiSZ. Thus, initial studies will provide useful information of potential material compositions for future thermal barrier coatings.