A bit errror detection circuit for checking the quality of a transmission path by accurately predicting a true bit error rate (BER) despite changes in the operating point of a non-linear element or fluctuations in the level of an input signal. An inputted PSK-modulated carrier wave is separately phase demodulated by a recovered carrier wave and a phase modulated carrier wave. These two phase demodulated PSK-modulated carrier waves are inputted into separate discriminator circuits 412 and 413 having a common discrimination level where the difference between the outputs can be compared by the comparator circuit 409 to predict a true BER.