sit the examination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sit the examination" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in British English to refer to the act of taking or participating in an examination. Example: "Students are required to sit the examination at the end of the semester to assess their understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Children can thus sit the examination in any of these schools and apply for a place in any other on the basis of their test score.

The Guardian

It is a widespread belief, voiced by students from poor families as well as rich ones (Hasnat 2017), that if they do not go for private tuition to a particular teacher, they will not get good marks in the preparatory test, and may not even be allowed to sit the examination.

Language Testing in Asia

The first is a national entrance examination (hereafter abbreviated to national track), which allows students from all over Thailand to sit the examination for a chance to study.

F1000Research

In the initial stages, these bodies utilised a desktop assessment process to either screen candidates (ensuring they meet the standard to sit the examination process) or as the sole assessment process.

BMC Medical Education

Two-Year Rule: Students who fail an end of year module have to repeat that exam in the Autumn, and if unsuccessful, have to sit the examination the following summer (repeat the year).

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This made it hard to submit Ucas applications, and forced them to make their own arrangements to apply and to sit the examinations.

The Guardian

He spent the rest of the second world war teaching history and English at Wellington college, Berkshire.The return of the regular staff left him unemployed: he lectured at University College London (1945-46) and sat the examination for the ferociously competitive All Souls prize fellowship.

The Guardian - Books

In June 1900, Worsley sat the examination for a foreign master's certificate.

Wikipedia

While at the University, he passed the primary exam for the Royal College of Surgeons in 1934, one of only four successful candidates who sat the examination in Melbourne that year.

Wikipedia

Five questions (Oncology2, Oncology3, A&E41, Rheumatology84 and Rehabilitation93) displayed DIF by term in which the examination was taken (p < 0.01) indicating that the student's responses to these questions were influenced by the term in which the students sat the examination.

BMC Medical Education

In January, Angie Motshekga, the minister for basic education, announced with some fanfare that 70.2% of the pupils who sat the examinations for the national senior certificate – usually referred to as matric – passed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for an international audience, consider using "take the examination" instead of "sit the examination" for clarity, as the latter is more common in British English.

Common error

Avoid using "sit the examination" in contexts where American English is preferred. Opt for "take the examination" to maintain consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sit the examination" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of taking an exam. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, particularly in British English contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sit the examination" is a grammatically sound and common expression, primarily used in British English, to describe taking an examination. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers helpful context. While widely accepted, it's crucial to consider the audience and opt for alternatives like "take the examination" in more general contexts to avoid confusion. Its usage spans across academic, scientific, and news-related domains, making it a versatile phrase in formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the examination

This alternative is a more common and widely understood way to express the same action.

sit for the examination

This option is very similar, replacing 'the' with 'for the' before 'examination'.

undergo the examination

This alternative emphasizes the process or experience of taking the exam.

appear for the examination

This is a slightly more formal way of saying someone is present to take the exam.

attend the examination

This option focuses on being present at the examination.

participate in the examination

This phrase highlights the active involvement in the examination process.

complete the examination

This focuses on finishing the examination.

attempt the examination

This alternative suggests making an effort to take the examination.

face the examination

This implies confronting the challenges of the examination.

present oneself for the examination

This is a very formal way to say someone is attending the exam.

FAQs

What does "sit the examination" mean?

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

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

You can use alternatives like "take the examination", "sit for the examination", or "undergo the examination".

Is it more common to "sit the examination" or "take the examination"?

"Take the examination" is more universally understood. "Sit the examination" is more common in British English.

Which is correct, "sit the examination" or "sit for the examination"?

Both phrases are correct, but "sit for the examination" may be slightly more formal. The first one is used mostly in British English.