Exam

An exam, short for examination, is a formal assessment used to measure a person's knowledge, skills, or abilities in a specific subject or professional domain. Examinations are used in educational settings to evaluate learning outcomes, determine progression, and certify competence for admission or graduation. They may also be employed by professional bodies to credential practitioners or by employers in hiring decisions.

Exams vary in format and scope. Common types include written tests (such as multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions), oral examinations, and practical or performance-based assessments (for example laboratory tasks or clinical demonstrations). Standardized tests, administered under uniform conditions and scored with established norms, are used for comparability across individuals or populations. Exams can be closed-book or open-book, and may be conducted in person or computer-based, with accommodations provided for accessibility.

A typical examination has a defined duration, a scoring rubric or marking scheme, and procedures to ensure fairness and integrity. Results are usually reported as marks or grades, sometimes with percentiles or level descriptors. Feedback may accompany results in formative settings, while summative exams aim to certify attainment or eligibility.

The history of formal examinations dates to ancient civilizations, with modern standardized testing developing in the 19th and 20th centuries. Today, examinations are prevalent in schools, universities, professional training programs, and licensing processes, though they face ongoing debates about reliability, equity, and stress, and are often supplemented by other assessment methods.

In short, exams are a structured means of assessing and certifying knowledge or skill, balancing diagnostic insight with the practical needs of education and credentialing.