# exam

/ɪɡˈzæm/ (US) · /ɛɡzˈæm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/exam
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a formal test

noun · CEFR A1 · Informal

a formal test that you take to show what you have learned in a subject.

For teachers: a formal assessment of a person's knowledge or proficiency in a specific subject or skill. This is a clipping of 'examination' and is the standard term in educational contexts.

- I need to study hard because I have a math exam on Friday morning.
- The final exam accounts for sixty percent of the total grade, requiring students to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the semester's curriculum.

Usage: Commonly used with the verbs 'take', 'sit', or 'pass'.

Teaching tip: While 'exam' is technically informal compared to 'examination', it is the standard word used by students and teachers in daily school life.

### 2. to inspect or test

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

to look at something very carefully or to test someone.

For teachers: to inspect closely or subject to a formal test. This verbal use is a shortened form of 'examine' and is significantly less common than the noun.

- The doctor will exam the patient to see what is wrong.
- The software was designed to automatically exam each line of code for potential security vulnerabilities before the final deployment.

Usage: Used as a transitive verb taking a direct object.

Teaching tip: This verbal form is rare; learners should almost always use 'examine' in writing.

## Examples

- I have a math exam tomorrow morning.
- Students must present their identification cards before entering the hall to sit for the final exam.
- While the midterm exam focuses on specific units, the final assessment requires a comprehensive understanding of the entire semester's curriculum.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.