a set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge
"when the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions"
Clipping of examination, especially when meaning test or in compound terms.
"The final exam for the semester was scheduled to take place next Friday afternoon."
In plain English: An exam is a test where you answer questions to show how well you know what you have learned in class.
"She studied all night to prepare for her math exam."
Usage: Use "exam" to refer specifically to a formal academic test or assessment given by an instructor. It functions as a standard noun in phrases like "final exam" but should not be used to describe the act of inspecting something physically.
Shortened form of examine
"The teacher asked if we could reschedule our exam, but I realized she was actually referring to examining my understanding of the material before the final test."
In plain English: To examine someone closely is to look at them very carefully to see what they are doing or thinking.
"The student will be examined to see if she is ready for graduation."
Usage: Use "exam" as a verb only in informal contexts to mean checking or inspecting something quickly, such as examining a room for bugs. Avoid using it in formal writing where the full word "examine" is required for clarity and professionalism.
Derived from Latin examinare, meaning "to test" or "to try," this term entered English in the 16th century as an agent noun formed with -men. It originally referred to the act of testing goods or persons before sale or employment.