An exam is a formal test that you take to show your knowledge or ability in a particular subject, or to obtain a qualification.
I don't want to take any more exams.
Kate's exam results were excellent.
2. countable noun
If you have a medical exam, a doctor looks at your body, feels it, or does simple tests in order to check how healthy you are.
[mainly US]
More Synonyms of exam
exam in British English
(ɪɡˈzæm)
noun
short for examination
exam in American English
(ɛgˈzæm; ɪgˈzæm)
noun
examination
Examples of 'exam' in a sentence
exam
She longed to express the bits of herself that exams and qualifications didn't.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
I would have to take the exam again at the official TfL centre.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This is most common for gap year students who have already taken their exams.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Can you still take exams and do well in school?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
On a final exam you show comprehensive knowledge.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
More emphasis will now be put on formal exams.
The Sun (2013)
Studies show that exam pressure is more likely to impair the performance of good students than average ones.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Pupils who have not benefited from regular testing are likely to find the experience of a formal exam daunting.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The investigations also showed how exam boards compete with each other commercially to make it easier for schools to get better grades.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He also lost his Job at a nightclub when he asked for time off to take exams.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
As part of the exam, the doctor looked in his eyes.
Christianity Today (2000)
I have now been told a formal exam cannot take place because all rooms have been rented out.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
As well as setting exams and awarding qualifications the institute helps tax experts to keep up with the many changes in regulations by organising conferences and lectures.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A survey last month showed that exams had been cancelled or postponed at one in five universities because of the industrial action by academics.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We accept the need for exams and qualifications, but it's a question of degree.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
A sixth form that opened less than a year ago has emerged as a pioneer of free schools after its first exam results showed a promising future.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
GCSE exams usually take place in May and June.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
exam
British English: exam /ɪɡˈzæm/ NOUN
An exam is a formal test taken to show your knowledge of a subject.
Did you pass your exams?
American English: exam
Arabic: اِمْتِحَان
Brazilian Portuguese: exame
Chinese: 考试
Croatian: ispit
Czech: zkouška znalostí
Danish: eksamen
Dutch: examen
European Spanish: examen
Finnish: koe koulussa, yliopistossa ym.
French: examen scolaire
German: Prüfung
Greek: διαγώνισμα
Italian: esame
Japanese: 試験
Korean: 시험
Norwegian: eksamen
Polish: egzamin
European Portuguese: exame
Romanian: examen
Russian: экзамен
Latin American Spanish: examen indagación
Swedish: examen
Thai: ข้อสอบ
Turkish: sınav
Ukrainian: іспит
Vietnamese: kỳ thi
All related terms of 'exam'
exam room
the room designated for a particular examination to take place
exam board
an organization that sets and corrects exams , esp GCSEs and A levels
exam grade
Your grade in an examination or piece of written work is the mark you get, usually in the form of a letter or number, that indicates your level of achievement .
exam paper
a paper with examination questions printed on it set to test the knowledge of examination candidates
exam question
The questions in an examination are the problems which are set in order to test your knowledge or ability.
practice exam
an informal examination taken as a preparation for an actual or formal examination
qualifying exam
any examination that one needs to pass in order to begin or continue with a course of study
mock examination
an examination , esp in a school , taken as practice before an official examination
entrance examination
an examination success in which qualifies a person to join a school , university , organization, etc
Chinese translation of 'exam'
exam
(ɪɡˈzæm)
n
考试(試) (kǎoshì)
pass an exam 表示考试通过，若没通过，则说 fail an exam。参加考试，用动词 take，在英式英语中则用 sit an exam。
1 (noun)
He failed his maths exam and had to retake it.
Synonyms
test
High levels of dioxin were confirmed by scientific tests.
examination
accusations of cheating in school examinations
assessment
He was referred to a specialist for assessment.
evaluation
Evaluation is standard practice for the training course.
research
His groundbreaking research will be vital in future developments.
paper
the applied mathematics paper
investigation
He ordered an investigation into the affair.
practical
quiz
We'll have a quiz at the end of the show.
oral
appraisal
Self-appraisal is never easy.
catechism
2 (noun)
A full medical exam is usually not required.
Synonyms
checkup
analysis
going-over (informal)
Michael was given a complete going-over and was diagnosed with hay fever.
exploration
an exploration of Celtic mythology
health check
once-over (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appraisal
Definition
an assessment of the worth or quality of a person or thing
Self-appraisal is never easy.
Synonyms
assessment,
opinion,
estimate,
judgment,
evaluation,
estimation,
sizing up (informal),
recce (slang)
in the sense of assessment
He was referred to a specialist for assessment.
Synonyms
judgment,
analysis,
determination,
evaluation,
valuation,
appraisal,
estimation,
rating,
opinion,
estimate,
computation
in the sense of evaluation
Evaluation is standard practice for the training course.