Collocations with EXAM

• Do you often wonder if you “take” an exam or “sit” an exam?
• Are you unsure whether to “make” an exam or “set” one?
• Do you struggle to express the stress and success related to exams naturally in English?

Mastering collocations isn’t just about memorizing pairs of words; it’s about unlocking natural, fluent English. When words naturally go together, they create a harmony that native speakers instantly recognize. For learners, understanding these common word partnerships, like those with the word “exam,” is a key step in reducing “language anxiety” and sounding more authentic, not just grammatically correct.

Essential Collocations using Exam as a Noun

The word “exam” primarily functions as a noun in English, serving as a shortened, more common form of “examination.” It’s overwhelmingly used in this capacity in both academic and professional contexts, and understanding its collocations as a noun is crucial for fluency.

Verbs You Use with Exams

These verbs describe actions students, teachers, or institutions perform related to an exam.

• Take / Sit an exam: To undergo an official test.
  • Example: “Students usually take their final exams in May.”
  • Example: “I’m a bit nervous because I have to sit an important exam next week.”
• Pass / Fail an exam: To achieve a satisfactory or unsatisfactory result.
  • Example: “She studied really hard and managed to pass the exam with flying colors.”
  • Example: “He was devastated when he found out he failed the driving exam for the third time.”
• Revise for / Study for / Prepare for an exam: To study in order to be ready for an exam.
  • Example: “I need to revise for my history exam all weekend.”
  • Example: “Many students study for exams by forming study groups.”
  • Example: “The school offers workshops to help students prepare for their entrance exams.”
• Cram for an exam: To study a lot in a short period before an exam.
  • Example: “I didn’t manage my time well, so now I have to cram for my biology exam tonight.”
• Ace / Flunk an exam (informal): To perform exceptionally well or poorly.
  • Example: “He was so proud when he aced his math exam.”
  • Example: “I completely forgot to study for that pop quiz and totally flunked the exam.”
• Set / Write an exam: To create the questions for an exam (by a teacher/examiner).
  • Example: “The professor is currently setting the final exam for her students.”
  • Example: “It takes a lot of effort to write a fair and comprehensive exam.”
• Conduct / Administer an exam: To supervise an exam session.
  • Example: “Invigilators are responsible for conducting the exam fairly.”
  • Example: “The university will administer the entrance exam in the main hall.”
• Grade / Mark an exam: To evaluate and assign scores to students’ papers.
  • Example: “It takes several days for teachers to grade all the exams.”
  • Example: “The external examiner will mark the final essays.”

Adjectives Describing Exams

These adjectives help to specify the type, difficulty, or purpose of an exam.

• Final / Midterm exam: Referring to specific points in an academic term.
  • Example: “Students are currently studying for their final exams.”
  • Example: “We have a midterm exam in Chemistry next week.”
• Mock exam: A practice exam taken before the real one.
  • Example: “Taking a mock exam helps you understand the format and timing.”
• Entrance / Placement / Diagnostic exam: Exams used for admission or assessment.
  • Example: “Many universities require applicants to pass an entrance exam.”
  • Example: “New students have to take a placement exam to determine their English level.”
• Written / Oral / Practical exam: Describing the format of the exam.
  • Example: “The course includes both a written exam and a practical exam.”
  • Example: “Her French course requires an oral exam.”
• Tough / Difficult / Challenging / Easy exam: Describing the level of difficulty.
  • Example: “That was one of the most difficult exams I’ve ever taken.”
  • Example: “Surprisingly, the maths exam was quite easy this year.”
• Crucial / Important exam: Highlighting significance.
  • Example: “This is a crucial exam for my career progression.”
• Upcoming / Past exam: Referring to the timing.
  • Example: “I’m trying to find some papers from past exams to practice.”

Nouns and Phrases Associated with Exams

These collocations describe things, places, or feelings connected to exams.

• Exam results: The scores or grades achieved.
  • Example: “We’ll receive our exam results by email next Friday.”
• Exam paper: The physical test document.
  • Example: “Don’t forget to write your name on the exam paper.”
• Exam period / season / timetable: Timeframes or schedules.
  • Example: “The library is always full during exam period.”
  • Example: “The new exam timetable has been published online.”
• Exam hall / room: The location where an exam takes place.
  • Example: “Please wait outside the exam hall until you are called in.”
• Exam stress / anxiety / nerves: Common emotional responses.
  • Example: “Many students suffer from severe exam stress.”
  • Example: “I always get exam nerves right before the test starts.”
• Exam board: The organization that sets and grades exams.
  • Example: “The exam board sets the curriculum for national tests.”
• Exam conditions: Strict rules applied during an exam.
  • Example: “You must adhere to strict exam conditions; no talking or electronic devices are allowed.”

Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural

“The exam period always brings a lot of pressure, but I’ve learned to manage my exam stress better. Last semester, I had to cram for an exam, and it was terrible. This time, I started to revise for my exams weeks in advance. My goal is to pass all my final exams and get good exam results. I’m especially focused on the history test, as the professor is known to set a very challenging exam. I hope I don’t get too many exam nerves on the day I have to sit the exam.”

Frequently Asked Questions about Exam Collocations