Midterm

Midterm is a term used to denote the middle portion of a term or period and is applied in several contexts, including education, politics, and project planning. It often refers to a midpoint assessment, event, or review intended to gauge progress and inform subsequent work or governance.

In education, a midterm typically refers to an examination or assessment given halfway through a term or semester. Midterms assess knowledge and skills covered up to that point and can influence a student’s final grade. The format varies by institution and course, ranging from single cumulative exams to multiple components such as quizzes, essays, or practical assessments, with different weighting toward the final grade.

In politics, midterm can describe elections or reviews that occur midway through a governing term. The most common usage is midterm elections, held roughly halfway through a president’s or governor’s term, which can determine control of legislative bodies and shape policy agendas. The term can also denote midterm reviews of government performance or program implementation, used to evaluate effectiveness and adjust priorities.

Other uses include midterm breaks in academic calendars, which provide a recess in the middle of the term, and midterm assessments in project management or organizational planning, where progress is evaluated at the halfway point to guide future actions. Across contexts, midterm signals a deliberate pause to assess, adjust, or reflect before proceeding toward the term’s end.