What does exam mean?
An exam is a formal assessment designed to measure a person's knowledge, skill, or aptitude in a particular subject or profession. The word is the standard informal shortening of 'examination' and is universally understood in both British and American English. Exams take many forms — written papers, oral tests, practical demonstrations, or computer-based assessments — and are central to education systems worldwide, from school quizzes to university finals to professional licensing tests. The verbs that pair with it differ by region: British speakers typically 'sit' an exam while Americans 'take' one, and everyone hopes to 'pass' rather than 'fail'. Despite its casual brevity, the word carries considerable emotional weight, since exam results often influence academic progression and career opportunities. It derives ultimately from the Latin examen, a means of weighing or testing, the same root behind 'examine' and 'examination'.
nounA formal test of a person's knowledge, skill, or ability in a particular subject or field. It is an informal shortening of the word 'examination'.
- A formal written, oral, or practical test of knowledge or ability in a subject.
- The process of being tested or assessed (informal shorthand for 'examination').
"She spent the whole weekend revising for her chemistry exam."
"He passed his driving exam on the first attempt."
"Final exams begin next Monday, so the library stays open all night."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple tests, such as a set of end-of-term assessments.
"She has three exams scheduled next week."
'Exam' is simply 'examination' with its tail cut off — and it comes ultimately from the Latin examen, meaning the tongue of a balance used to weigh things.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of exam
Exam arose in the late 19th century as a colloquial clipping of 'examination', which entered English earlier from the Latin examinatio, meaning a weighing or testing. That noun derives from examen, the tongue or pointer of a balance used to weigh precisely. The same Latin root gives us 'examine' and 'examiner', making these close relatives of the modern clipped form.
Related word forms
How exam is actually used
Informal but fully standard in both British and American English; 'examination' is preferred in very formal or legal contexts. British English commonly uses 'sit an exam', while American English favors 'take an exam'.
Easily confused with exam
Examination is the full formal word of which exam is merely the everyday shortened form.