diff --git a/tools/regression/README b/tools/regression/README
index a74271bfca40..03342baa5cf0 100644
--- a/tools/regression/README
+++ b/tools/regression/README
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 This directory is for regression test programs.
 
-A regression test program is one that will excercise a particular bit of the
+A regression test program is one that will exercise a particular bit of the
 system to check that we have not reintroduced an old bug.
 
 Please make a subdir per program, and add a brief description to this file.
diff --git a/tools/test/README b/tools/test/README
index 71980037f80a..09550e271a6b 100644
--- a/tools/test/README
+++ b/tools/test/README
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 This directory is for test programs.
 
-A test program is one that will excercise a particular bit of the system
+A test program is one that will exercise a particular bit of the system
 and try to break it and/or measuring performance on it.
 
 Please make a subdir per program, and add a brief description to this file.