a written test

USAGE SUMMARY

"a written test" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to an exam or quiz that requires test takers to write out their answers instead of providing verbal or multiple choice responses. For example, "Prior to the final exam, the teacher gave her students a written test to assess their understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The competition started with a written test.

Cornell University

The company gives raises periodically based on how well workers score on a written test.

The New York Times

Dr. Berglas says he is converting the interview into a written test.

The New York Times

The five-day course concludes with a written test, and an all-important speed test.

The New York Times

The lawsuit challenged a written test that relatively few nonwhites passed.

The New York Times

There are extensive police checks, a written test and a waiting period before licenses are issued for a specific weapon.

The Washington Post

She passed a written test and a project evaluation, then had an oral exam and interview, on August 30th.

The New Yorker

The morning after, there would be a written test, and later that day, for those who had passed, the "practical".

The New Yorker

She said she had drilled poll workers for a minimum of 12 hours and then gave them a written test.

The New York Times

It's a rigorous process involving a written test and individual and group interviews that stretches over a day.

The Guardian

To get there, I'd had to pass the 11-plus and a written test at the school itself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to formal assessments, use "a written test" to clearly indicate the format, especially when contrasting it with oral or practical exams.

Common error

Avoid using "a written test" interchangeably with terms like "assessment" or "exam" without specifying the written format, as these terms can also include oral or practical evaluations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a written test" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. As exemplified by Ludwig's examples, it identifies a specific type of assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Science & Research

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a written test" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to denote an assessment conducted through written responses. As Ludwig highlights, the phrase sees frequent use across News & Media, Science, and Academia, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, ensure clarity by using this phrase to specifically indicate a written format, differentiating it from other types of evaluations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correctly used and widely understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a written examination

Replaces "test" with "examination", suggesting a more formal assessment.

a paper-based test

Specifies the medium of the test as paper, emphasizing the physical format.

a written assessment

Substitutes "test" with "assessment", broadening the scope to include various evaluation methods.

a knowledge-based test

Highlights that the test assesses knowledge, focusing on the type of evaluation.

a competency test

Emphasizes that the test evaluates specific competencies or skills.

a skills assessment

Focuses on the evaluation of skills rather than general knowledge.

a pen-and-paper exam

More descriptive and informal alternative referring to tests done using pen and paper.

a traditional test

Emphasizes conventional format of the test.

an essay exam

Highlights the use of essay writing as part of the testing method.

a fill-in-the-blanks test

Replaces the broader term with more precise format of test.

FAQs

How to use "a written test" in a sentence?

You can use "a written test" to describe various scenarios such as, "The company requires all applicants to pass "a written test" before being hired" or "Students will take "a written test" at the end of the course".

What can I say instead of "a written test"?

Alternatives include "a written examination", "a paper-based test", or "a skills assessment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a written test" or "a writing test"?

"A written test" refers to an assessment where answers are written. "A writing test" specifically tests the skill of writing itself, such as in an English class.

What's the difference between "a written test" and "a practical exam"?

"A written test" assesses knowledge through written answers, while "a practical exam" evaluates the ability to apply knowledge or skills in a real-world or simulated setting.