take an exam

USAGE SUMMARY

"take an exam" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a test that requires an effort to complete, such as a school test, a driver's license exam, or an aptitude test. For example: "I need to take an exam in order to get my driver's license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He needed to take an exam.

The New York Times

It's about equal opportunity where you take an exam to get a civil service job".

The New York Times

Washington requires all guides to pay $200 and take an exam.

The Economist

When Sarah has to return to Santiago to take an exam, Alicia becomes anxious.

The Guardian - Film

"All Chinese athletes get anti-doping education and training, take an oath and take an exam.

The Guardian - Sport

The officials will have to take an exam to show their proficiency.

The New York Times

Yes, Vassar pitchers will sometimes leave games in the third inning to take an exam.

The New York Times - Sports

Every student knows what it is like to take an exam.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We don't let you bring in a computer and an iPod when you take an exam".

The New York Times - Sports

Tara had already earned her dental-assistance degree and needed $600 to take an exam to be certified.

The New York Times - Magazine

You send children to school to go and take an exam, and then you're told they're missing.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about standardized tests, use "take an exam" to clearly indicate the action of participating in the test. For instance, "Students must "take an exam" to qualify for the scholarship".

Common error

Avoid using "have an exam" when you mean to participate in one. "Have an exam" suggests possession, whereas "take an exam" indicates the action of undergoing the test.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take an exam" functions as a verb phrase, where "take" is the main verb and "an exam" is the object. It describes the action of participating in and completing a formal assessment. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take an exam" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of participating in a test or formal assessment. Ludwig AI validates its usability, and Ludwig examples demonstrate its widespread use across various domains, including news, science, and general writing. While it's generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "undergo an examination" might be preferred in academic or official settings. Remember to use "take an exam" to indicate participation rather than possession.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sit for an exam

Replaces "take" with "sit for", emphasizing the act of being present for the exam.

undergo an examination

Replaces "take" with "undergo" and "exam" with "examination", making it more formal.

complete a test

Uses broader terms, replacing "exam" with "test" and focusing on completion.

attempt an examination

Highlights the effort of trying to pass an exam.

undertake a test

A more formal way of saying "take a test".

participate in an assessment

Emphasizes involvement in a formal assessment process.

face an exam

Highlights the challenge or difficulty associated with the exam.

be examined

Focuses on the state of being assessed rather than the action of taking the exam.

go through an assessment

Describes the experience of being put through the test.

attend an exam

Focuses on the presence at the exam.

FAQs

What does "take an exam" mean?

"Take an exam" means to participate in a formal assessment, such as a test or examination, to demonstrate knowledge or skills in a particular subject or area.

What is a more formal way to say "take an exam"?

A more formal alternative is to "undergo an examination", which sounds more professional and is often used in official contexts.

Which is correct, "take an exam" or "do an exam"?

"Take an exam" is the correct and widely accepted phrase. "Do an exam" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

Are there specific contexts where "take an exam" is more appropriate than others?

"Take an exam" is appropriate in most contexts referring to undergoing a test. However, in situations emphasizing presence, "sit for an exam" may be preferred.