A test is usually a smaller evaluation of a limited set of material, often done during a course. An exam is usually a bigger, more formal evaluation that covers more material, often at the end of a unit, term, or course. In everyday English, both mean an assessment, but "exam" often sounds more official and high-stakes.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
test	📝 测试	a smaller assessment of specific topics, often frequent	📝 对特定主题的较小规模评估，通常较为频繁	We have a vocabulary test on Friday.	📝 我们周五有一个词汇测试。
exam	📄 考试	a formal assessment that often covers a lot of material	📄 通常覆盖大量材料的正式评估	The final exam is worth 40 percent.	📄 期末考试占总分的40%。
assessment	🎯 评估	any method of evaluating learning, including tests, projects, and presentations	🎯 评估学习的任何方法，包括测试、项目和演示	The course uses continuous assessment.	🎯 本课程采用持续评估。

English uses specific labels for exams depending on when they happen and what they count for. The most common contrasts are midterm vs final and in-class vs take-home. These words often appear in schedules, syllabi, and announcements.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
midterm	📌 期中考试	an exam in the middle of a course or term	📌 课程或学期中间的考试	Our midterm is next week.	📌 我们的期中考试在下周。
final	🏁 期末考试	an exam at the end of a course or term	🏁 课程或学期末进行的考试	I am studying for my finals.	📌 我正在为期末考试做准备。
in-class exam	🏫 在课堂上的考试	an exam taken during class time under supervision	🏫 在课堂时间内，在监督下进行的考试	The in-class exam is 60 minutes.	🏫 课堂考试时长为60分钟。
take-home exam	🏠 带回家完成的考试	an exam completed outside class, usually with a deadline	🏠 在课外完成的考试，通常有截止日期	The take-home exam is due Monday.	🏠 带回家完成的考试截止日期是周一。
practical exam	🧪 实操考试	an exam that tests skills by doing tasks, not only writing	🧪 通过完成任务来测试技能的考试，而不仅仅是书写	There is a practical exam in the lab.	🧪 实验室里有一项实操考试。

Test format words describe how questions are presented and how you respond. These terms help you understand instructions quickly, especially in schools, training programs, and language tests. Many tests mix several formats in one paper.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
multiple-choice	✅ 选择题	you choose one option from several answers	✅ 你从多个答案中选择一个选项	The test is mostly multiple-choice.	✅ 考试大多是选择题。
short answer	✍️ 简答题	you write a brief response, often one sentence	✍️ 你写一个简短的回答，通常是一句话	Write short answers for questions 1 to 5.	✍️ 请对问题1至5给出简短回答。
matching	🧩 匹配	you pair items from two columns	🧩 将两列中的项配对	Do the matching exercise in section B.	🧩 请在B节完成匹配练习。
essay question	📖 论述题	you write a longer, organized response	📖 你需要写出较长且有条理的回答	One essay question is worth 20 points.	📖 其中一个论述题的分值为20分。
true or false	🔍 判断正误	you decide if a statement is correct or incorrect	🔍 你决定一个陈述是正确还是错误	Mark each statement true or false.	🔍 将每条陈述标记为对或错。

Scoring vocabulary explains results and how performance is measured. Some schools use points and percentages, while others use letter grades or pass-fail. Understanding these words helps you interpret feedback and requirements.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
score	🧮 分数	the number of points you get	🧮 你得到的分数（点数）	I scored 18 out of 20.	🧮 我的分数是18/20。
percentage	📊 百分比	score shown out of 100	📊 以100为满分的分数表示	I got 85 percent.	📊 我的百分比是85%。
grade	🔤 等级	a letter or number that represents performance	🔤 表示表现的字母或数字	I received an A minus.	🔤 我得到的是 A-。
pass	✅ 及格	meet the minimum requirement	✅ 达到最低要求	You need 60 percent to pass.	✅ 要及格需要达到60%。
fail	❌ 不及格	not meet the minimum requirement	❌ 未达到最低要求	He failed the exam by two points.	❌ 他这次考试低了两分。

Some exams affect admissions, certification, or major decisions, so English often uses special terms for them. These tests may be standardized, meaning everyone takes the same test under the same conditions. The vocabulary below is common in universities and professional training.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
standardized test	🏛️ 标准化考试	a test given in the same format to many people	🏛️ 以相同格式提供给多人的考试	She is preparing for a standardized test.	🏛️ 她正在为标准化考试做准备。
entrance exam	🎓 入学考试	an exam required to enter a school or program	🎓 进入学校或项目所需的考试	The entrance exam is in June.	🎓 入学考试在6月。
certification exam	🪪 认证考试	an exam to qualify for a job or professional status	🪪 用于获得工作资格或专业身份的考试	He passed the certification exam.	🪪 他通过了认证考试。
qualifying exam	🏅 资格考试	an exam you must pass to continue to the next stage	🏅 必须通过以进入下一阶段的考试	The qualifying exam happens in the second year.	🏅 资格考试在第二年进行。

Test announcements often include scheduling and timing vocabulary. These words help you understand when and where the exam happens and what deadlines apply. They are used in emails, syllabi, and exam instructions.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
test date	📅 测验日期	the day the test happens	📅 测验发生的日期	The test date has been moved.	📅 测验日期已被更改。
duration	⏰ 时长	how long the test lasts	⏰ 测验持续多久	The duration is 90 minutes.	⏰ 时长为90分钟。
time limit	🕒 时间限制	the maximum time allowed	🕒 允许的最长时间	There is a strict time limit.	🕒 时间限制很严格。
venue	📍 场地	the place where the exam is held	📍 考试举行的地点	The venue is Room 204.	📍 考场是204室。
deadline	⏳ 截止日期	the latest time you can submit	⏳ 你可以提交的最晚时间	The deadline is midnight.	⏳ 截止日期是午夜。

Exam papers use repeated instruction verbs that tell you exactly what to do. Learning these verbs makes exams faster and reduces confusion. They are often followed by a number, a topic, or a word like "all" or "one".

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
answer	🧾 答案	give a response to a question	🧾 给出问题的回答	Answer questions 1 to 10.	🧾 请回答第1至第10题。
fill in	🖊️ 填空	complete missing words or information	🖊️ 完成缺失的词语或信息	Fill in the blanks.	🖊️ 请填写空缺处。
circle	📌 圈出	draw a circle around the correct option	🈯️ 在正确选项周围画圈	Circle the best answer.	📌 圈出最佳答案。
tick	☑️ 勾选	mark a box with a check	☑️ 在方框内打勾	Tick one box only.	☑️ 仅勾选一个方框。
explain	🧠 解释	give reasons and details, not only the result	🧠 给出理由和细节，而不仅仅是结果	Explain your choice.	🧠 解释你的选择。

English has many common collocations for getting ready for tests and exams. These phrases describe studying, planning, and practicing. They often appear with "for" plus the exam name.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
revise	📚 复习	study again to refresh knowledge, often before an exam	📚 再次学习以刷新知识，通常在考试前	I need to revise for the final.	📚 我需要为期末考试复习。
review	🗂️ 复习	look over material to prepare	🗂️ 浏览材料以准备	Let’s review the key terms.	🗂️ 让我们复习关键词。
study guide	🧑‍🏫 学习指南	a document that lists topics and practice questions	🧑‍🏫 一个列出主题和练习题的文档	The teacher posted a study guide.	🧑‍🏫 老师发布了学习指南。
practice test	📝 练习测试	a sample test used for preparation	📝 用于备考的样题	I did a practice test online.	📝 我在线做了一个练习测试。
cram	📅 临时突击	study intensively in a short time before a test	📅 在考试前短时间内密集学习	I crammed all night.	📅 我通宵苦学。

There is specific vocabulary for what happens while you are taking an exam. These words describe the conditions, the people supervising, and rules about materials. They are common in formal exam settings.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
invigilator	🧑‍💼 监考人员	a person who supervises an exam	🧑‍💼 监督考试的人	Ask the invigilator if you need help.	🧑‍💼 如需帮助，请向监考人员询问。
ID check	🪪 身份识别检查	showing identification before or during the exam	🪪 在考试前或考试过程中出示身份证明	There will be an ID check at the door.	🪪 门口将进行身份检查。
instructions	🧾 指示	official directions for completing the exam	🧾 完成考试的正式指示	Read the instructions carefully.	🧾 请仔细阅读说明。
cheating	🚫 作弊	breaking rules to gain an unfair advantage	🚫 违反规则以获得不正当的优势	Cheating can lead to a zero.	🚫 作弊可能被判为零分。
open-book exam	📎 开卷考试	an exam where you can use notes or materials	📎 可以使用笔记或材料的考试	It is an open-book exam, so bring your notes.	📎 这是开卷考试，请带上你的笔记。

After a test, English uses a set of words for results, feedback, and next steps. These terms appear in emails and learning platforms. They also help you talk about performance and improvement.

Word/Phrase	🇨🇳 中文 单词/短语	Definition	🇨🇳 中文 定义	Example	🇨🇳 中文 示例
results	📢 结果	the official outcome or scores	📢 官方结果或分数	The results will be released tomorrow.	📢 结果将于明天公布。
feedback	🗒️ 反馈	comments on what you did well and what to improve	🗒️ 关于你的优点和需要改进之处的评语	The feedback was very helpful.	🗒️ 反馈非常有帮助。
remark	🧑‍🏫 复评	review of marking to check for errors	🧑‍🏫 对评分的复核以检查错误	I requested a remark.	🧑‍🏫 我申请了复评。
retake	🔁 重考	take the test again	🔁 再次参加考试	I will retake the exam next month.	🔁 我下个月将重新参加考试。
improvement	📈 提升	progress to a better score or skill level	📈 朝着更高分数或技能水平的进步	I saw real improvement this term.	📈 这个学期我看到了真正的提升。