take the exam

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'take the exam' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of taking an exam. For example, "John had to stay up late studying for the exam, but he was determined to do well and take the exam the next day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take the exam by November.

University of California, Berkeley

But first they have to take the exam.

The New York Times

Will it make the students take the exam again?

The Guardian

And Cramster can't take the exam for you".

The New York Times

Eligibility to take the exam varies from state to state.

Columbia University

It is likely that pupils in Year 13 would take the exam in November.

Independent

Buick, which is feeling pretty good about itself, wants to take the exam, too.

The New York Times

Among its pupils were four who were scheduled to take the exam on Sunday.

The New York Times

"Students can come to class and take the exam tomorrow if they wish.

Independent

This year, about 60 students in the Science Schools Initiative program plan to take the exam.

The New York Times

Players will have an hour to take the exam on a computer.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about standardized tests or professional certifications, specify which "exam" you're referring to for clarity. For example, instead of saying "take the exam", specify "take the CPA exam".

Common error

Don't assume your audience knows which "exam" you are talking about. Always provide context or explicitly name the exam, especially when discussing general concepts like preparation or results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the exam" functions as a verb phrase, where "take" is the main verb and "the exam" is its direct object. It describes the action of participating in a test or examination, as evidenced by Ludwig and its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

34%

News & Media

46%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the exam" is a very common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of participating in an examination. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread use across diverse contexts, including academia, news media, and general discussions. While alternatives like "sit for the exam" or "undertake the examination" exist, "take the exam" remains a clear and versatile choice. Remember to specify the particular exam being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sit for the exam

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

undertake the examination

Uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "take" with "undertake" and "exam" with "examination".

participate in the exam

Focuses on the aspect of involvement and engagement in the testing process.

appear for the exam

Highlights the act of showing up and being present to "take the exam".

attempt the exam

Emphasizes the effort and trial involved in completing the exam.

complete the exam

Highlights the action of finishing all sections/tasks contained in the exam.

undergo the exam process

Shifts focus to the entire testing process rather than a single action.

face the test

Presents "the exam" as a challenge or something to be confronted.

attend the exam session

Emphasizes being present at "the exam" in a more descriptive way.

be examined

Shifts the focus from the action of taking the test to being the subject of examination.

FAQs

What does "take the exam" mean?

To "take the exam" means to participate in a formal assessment, test, or examination to demonstrate knowledge or competence in a particular subject or field. It implies actively engaging with the test questions and completing the required tasks.

What are some alternatives to "take the exam"?

Alternatives include "sit for the exam", "appear for the exam", or "undertake the examination" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "sit the exam" instead of "take the exam"?

"Sit the exam" is a common and correct alternative to "take the exam", particularly in British English. Both phrases are widely understood and accepted.

How do I prepare to "take the exam"?

Preparation strategies include studying relevant materials, practicing with sample questions, managing your time effectively during the test, and ensuring you meet all eligibility requirements. The specific preparation methods depend on the nature and content of the particular exam.