complete the exam

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete the exam" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of finishing a test or exam. For example, "We only have 15 minutes left, so let's try our best to complete the exam before the time is up."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Some test-takers required more than two hours to complete the exam, the sources said.

The Washington Post

By the look of it, the first 50 people to complete the exam were white men with military-style haircuts.

The New York Times

Allot at least two weeks to complete the exam release process.

University of California, Berkeley

Why would they stand in line knowing they could likely neither complete the exam in time nor achieve a perfect score?

The Washington Post

Indeed, once you complete the exam treadmill, it quickly hits home that legal knowledge is but "a hygiene factor": instead it is a range of skills and personal attributes that will be the clear determinant of career success.

Independent

There seemed to be a special part of the brain devoted solely to cramming facts, no matter how irrelevant or ridiculous, and retaining them just long enough to complete the exam.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Banks will have to complete the exams and make any requests to return capital to shareholders by Jan . 9

The New York Times

But state officials scrapped that plan on the first day of testing in February because of widespread technical problems that kept students from logging on and being able to complete the exams.

The Washington Post

In both the pre- and postinstructional testing, subjects were allowed as much time as they needed to complete the exams.

CBE Life Sciences Education

If she didn't complete the exams, a year of her life would be gone for no reason.

Unicef

Every team will receive a one-page profile for each player who completes the exam.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to finish an exam, use "complete the exam" to convey a formal and clear expectation. This is especially suitable in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Do not use vague language such as "try to finish" when a clear expectation is needed. Instead, use "complete the exam" to ensure the task is understood as a requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete the exam" functions as a directive, instructing or expecting someone to finish the examination. Ludwig examples show its usage in academic and professional contexts, emphasizing the act of finishing the assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “complete the exam” is a commonly used phrase that means to finish an examination. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable across various contexts, including academic, news, and scientific domains. While alternatives such as “finish the exam” exist, “complete the exam” is often preferred in more formal settings. Remember to use this phrase when you want to clearly communicate the expectation of finishing an exam, avoiding any ambiguity in your instructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

finish the exam

More direct and informal way to say "complete the exam".

conclude the exam

Focuses on bringing the exam to a formal end.

pass the exam

Emphasizes successful completion and achievement.

undertake the exam

Highlights the process of taking the exam.

sit for the exam

Implies formally attending and participating in the exam.

take the exam

General term for participating in the exam.

ace the exam

Informal term for successfully completing the exam with a high score.

finalize the exam

Focuses on the ultimate step for completion of the exam.

be done with the exam

Informal way of expressing the completion of the exam.

get through the exam

Highlights overcoming the challenges of the exam.

FAQs

How can I use "complete the exam" in a sentence?

You can use "complete the exam" in a sentence like this: "Students are expected to "complete the exam" within the allotted time."

What is a more informal way to say "complete the exam"?

A more informal way to say "complete the exam" is to say "finish the exam".

Is it better to say "complete the exam" or "take the exam"?

While both are correct, "take the exam" refers to the act of participating in the exam, whereas ""complete the exam"" emphasizes finishing it.

What does it mean to ""complete the exam""?

To ""complete the exam"" means to finish all the required sections or questions of an examination within the given timeframe.