exam

exam

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Pronunciation

The word "exam" is a common abbreviation for "examination."

The IPA phonetic spelling for "exam" is /ɪɡˈzæm/.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:

• ex-: /ɪɡ/

• /ɪ/ - a short "i" sound, like in "kit"

• /ɡ/ - a voiced velar stop, like the "g" in "go"

• -am: /zæm/

• /z/ - a voiced alveolar fricative, like the "z" in "zoo"

• /æ/ - a short "a" sound, like in "cat"

• /m/ - a bilabial nasal, like the "m" in "mat"

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Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: exam

• Plural Noun: exams

• Full form (singular noun): examination

• Full form (plural noun): examinations

• Verb (from "examine"): examine (present), examined (past), examining (present participle), examines (third-person singular present)

• Adjective (from "examine"): examinable, examined

• Noun (person performing an exam): examiner

• Noun (something being examined): examinee

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

exam (plural: exams)

1. A formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency in a particular subject or skill, typically conducted in writing or orally.

• Synonyms: test, assessment, evaluation, quiz, scrutiny, appraisal

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific sense, as it describes a type of assessment. One might consider "learning" or "instruction" as a conceptual opposite to the process of being tested.)

2. A close and detailed inspection or medical check-up of a person or thing to ascertain condition or health. (Often an abbreviation of "medical examination.")

• Synonyms: check-up, inspection, scrutiny, analysis, review, screening

• Antonyms: neglect, oversight, disregard

Verb

examine (present tense of the root verb)

1. To inspect (someone or something) in detail to determine their nature or condition.

• Synonyms: inspect, scrutinize, analyze, investigate, probe, assess, study

• Antonyms: overlook, ignore, neglect, disregard

2. To formally test a student or other candidate's knowledge or ability in a subject.

• Synonyms: test, assess, evaluate, quiz, question, appraise

• Antonyms: teach, instruct, educate (these are related but not direct antonyms as they describe the imparting of knowledge rather than the testing of it)

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "Hermione, of course, was already worrying about the end-of-year exams." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, June 1997)

• "The final exam for the course would be a comprehensive assessment of everything we had learned."

• Newspapers:

• "Students across the country are currently preparing for their KCSE exams, which are set to begin next month." (Daily Nation, October 2024)

• "Concerns have been raised about the fairness of online exams implemented during the pandemic." (The New York Times, April 2020)

• Online Publications:

• "Google's new certification program requires passing a rigorous technical exam to demonstrate proficiency in cloud computing." (Google Cloud Blog, November 2023)

• "Many universities are reconsidering the role of standardized exams like the SAT and ACT in their admissions processes." (Inside Higher Ed, February 2024)

• Various Entertainment Media and Platforms:

• Television (Dialogue): "Did you study for your biology exam, or are you just going to wing it?" (From an episode of a teen drama series, e.g., Never Have I Ever, April 2020)

• Film (Plot Point): The protagonist in the film struggles to pass a critical medical exam to secure his dream residency. (e.g., The Good Doctor, September 2017)

• Video Games (Gameplay Element): "You've completed the final exam and unlocked the next level!" (Instructional text in an educational video game, e.g., Brain Age, May 2005)

• Podcasts (Discussion): "In today's episode, we discuss strategies for reducing exam stress and anxiety." (From an educational psychology podcast, e.g., The Psych Files, January 2023)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I'm so stressed out about my driving exam next week." (Casual conversation among friends)

• "My doctor said I need to schedule an eye exam soon." (Common phrasing in a discussion about health appointments)

• "Are you done with all your exams for the semester?" (Question asked between university students)

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10 Quotes Using Exam

1. "I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." (Benjamin Franklin, often paraphrased with "exam" instead of "test")

2. "One had to cram all this stuff into one's mind for the examinations, whether one liked it or not." (Albert Einstein)

3. "In examinations the foolish ask questions that the wise cannot answer." (Oscar Wilde)

4. "Hermione, of course, was already worrying about the end-of-year exams." (J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

5. "If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn't be here. I guarantee you that." (Michelle Obama, often associated with the concept of an "exam")

6. "The exam is not the most important thing in the world." (Helen Keller, from a collection of motivational quotes)

7. "An exam is not only a test of your knowledge but also a test of your calmness, stability, and courage." (Unknown)

8. "My concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure." (Abraham Lincoln, though not directly about an exam, it applies to the concept of performance and assessment)

9. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." (Nelson Mandela, while not directly using "exam", this quote underscores the importance of the learning process that often includes exams.)

10. "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." (Robert Collier, relevant for exam preparation and broader academic pursuits.)

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Etymology

The word "exam" is a shortened form, a kind of nickname, for the word "examination."

Let's break down where "examination" comes from:

• "Examination" itself comes from the Old French word "examinacion," which meant "an examination, an inquiry, an investigation."

• This Old French word, in turn, came from the Latin word "examinatio," which had a similar meaning: "a weighing, a consideration, an examination."

• Digging even deeper, "examinatio" comes from the Latin verb "examinare." This verb meant "to weigh, to test, to consider."

• And finally, "examinare" is related to the Latin word "examen," which originally meant "a means of weighing or testing," like the tongue or pointer of a balance scale. It also referred to a "swarm" of bees, likely because of the idea of them moving together in a precise, measured way, or perhaps the buzzing sound resembling a hummed "measurement."

So, the core idea behind the word, going back to its Latin roots, is about weighing, testing, or carefully looking at something to judge its value or nature.

The first known use of "examination" in English, with a meaning similar to how we use it today (a formal test or scrutiny), dates back to the late 14th century. Over time, especially in academic and informal settings, people started to shorten it to "exam" for convenience, a practice that became very common in the 19th and 20th centuries.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Exam

1. Pass an exam: To achieve a satisfactory score on a test.

2. Fail an exam: To not achieve a satisfactory score on a test.

3. Ace an exam: To perform exceptionally well on a test, often getting a perfect or near-perfect score.

4. Cram for an exam: To study intensely in a short period before a test.

5. Sit an exam: To take a test (common in British English).

6. Take an exam: To undergo a test.

7. Exam fever: A state of stress and anxiety experienced by students leading up to or during examinations.

8. Exam period/season: The time of year when many tests are scheduled.

9. Open-book exam: A test where students are allowed to refer to notes, textbooks, or other materials.

10. Pop exam/quiz: A surprise or unannounced test.

11. Oral exam: A test conducted verbally rather than in writing.

12. Medical exam/check-up: A thorough physical inspection by a doctor.

13. Under examination: Currently being scrutinized or investigated.

14. A test of character: An idiom (using a synonym for "exam") implying a challenging situation that reveals one's true nature.

15. Put to the test: An idiom (using a synonym for "exam") meaning to challenge or try out something to see if it works or holds up.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of exam from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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