sit the exam

USAGE SUMMARY

"sit the exam" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking an examination. For example, "I'm really nervous about having to sit the exam tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

He and two classmates became the first students in China to sit the exam in Braille.

The Economist

"Usually about 80 candidates sit the exam, and two are elected to fellowship.

Independent

In an average year, barely a third of students who sit the exam will pass.

The Economist

So children usually have to leave home and spend their senior high-school years in the place where they will eventually sit the exam.

The Economist

This meant that even a child who grew up in Beijing with a father registered as a Beijing citizen might have to travel hundreds of miles to sit the exam in his mother's registered home town.

The Economist

The University of Westminster, which was also in the "did not sit the exam" group, said that some of its statistics were missing from the table and that this was caused by administrative error on its own part.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Students would sit the exams two years later.

The Guardian

Pupils will sit the exams in the summer of 2018.

The Guardian

I wanted to party.' His parents made him sit the exams anyway.

The Guardian - Film

"They said it was just like a broken leg, and I had to sit the exams at an external centre.

The Guardian

She had agreed I could be entered for the Oxford exams as a Lady Eleanor Holles pupil, and I could sit the exams at school.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly indicates which exam you are referring to, especially if it has been mentioned previously.

Common error

Avoid using "sit" interchangeably with verbs like "study" or "prepare". "Sit the exam" refers specifically to the act of taking the examination, not the preparation beforehand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sit the exam" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of taking an examination. It is commonly used to describe the act of participating in and completing an exam, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sit the exam" is a grammatically correct and common phrase, particularly in British English, used to describe the act of taking an examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While "take the exam" might be more familiar to American English speakers, "sit the exam" remains a perfectly acceptable and understood alternative. When using this phrase, ensure your audience understands its meaning and that the context clearly defines which exam you're referencing. Be mindful not to confuse "sit" with verbs related to preparation like "study".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the exam

Uses a more common verb, "take", instead of "sit".

do the exam

Replaces "sit" with "do", a simpler verb choice.

undergo the exam

Emphasizes the experience of taking the exam.

participate in the exam

Highlights involvement in the examination process.

attend the exam

Focuses on the physical presence at the exam.

attempt the exam

Implies an effort to complete the exam.

complete the exam

Emphasizes the action of finishing the examination.

face the exam

Highlights the challenge or difficulty of the exam.

tackle the exam

Suggests a problem-solving approach to the exam.

handle the exam

Implies managing the exam process effectively.

FAQs

What does "sit the exam" mean?

To "sit the exam" means to take or participate in an examination. It's commonly used in British English.

Is it correct to say "sit for the exam"?

While "sit the exam" is more common, "sit for the exam" is also acceptable but less frequently used. Both phrases essentially mean the same thing.

What can I say instead of "sit the exam"?

You can use alternatives like "take the exam", "do the exam", or "participate in the exam" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sit the exam" or "take the exam"?

"Sit the exam" and "take the exam" are both correct, but "take the exam" is more common in American English, while "sit the exam" is prevalent in British English.