Voltage and current stress for magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cells can weed out potential early failure cells. Method and circuit implementation of such a stress test for a MRAM comprise coupling a stress test circuit to the read bus of the MRAM and stressing the Magnetic Tunnel Junctions (MTJS) by tying them to ground by activating isolation transistors associated with them. Read word lines control which MTJs are stressed Both the method and implementation can be used for any memory cells based on resistance differences, such as Phase RAM or Spin Valve MRAM.