ex ‧ am ‧ i ‧ na ‧ tion W2 /ɪɡˌzæməˈneɪʃ ə n, ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ exam , ↑ examination , cross-examination, ↑ examiner ; verb : ↑ examine , ↑ cross-examine ]
1 . [countable] formal a spoken or written test of knowledge, especially an important one SYN exam :
The examination results will be announced in September.
He’s already taken the entrance examination.
2 . [uncountable and countable] the process of looking at something carefully in order to see what it is like
examination of
a detailed examination of population statistics
under examination
The proposals are still under examination.
The issues need further examination.
on examination
On closer examination the vases were seen to be cracked.
3 . [countable] a set of medical tests:
All patients had a complete physical examination.
A post-mortem examination (=an examination on a dead body) showed that he died from head injuries.
4 . [uncountable and countable] law the process of asking questions to get specific information, especially in a court of law
⇨ ↑ cross-examine
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ take an examination ( also sit an examination British English )
Do you have to take an examination in every subject?
▪ pass an examination (=succeed in it)
I really hope that Suzie passes the examination.
▪ fail an examination
Michael had never yet failed an examination.
▪ study for an examination ( also revise for an examination British English )
I have been studying all week for the examination.
▪ do well/badly in an examination
He did well in his examinations, and went on to study at MIT.
▪ cheat in an examination
Any student caught cheating in an examination will be suspended.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + examination
▪ a final examination (=at the end of a course)
My final examinations take place in June.
▪ a written/oral examination
For French, there is an oral and a written examination.
▪ a chemistry/French etc examination
Most of the pupils passed their science examination with flying colours.
▪ an entrance examination (=to enter a school or university )
He had now failed the college entrance examination twice.
▪ a mock examination (=a practice examination to prepare for the real one)
Mock examinations help you to prepare for the real thing.
▪ A-level/high school etc examinations
The school usually achieves good results in GCSE examinations.
■ examination + NOUN
▪ examination results
You will receive your examination results in the post.
▪ an examination paper
There will be a choice of questions on the examination paper.
▪ an examination question
Read the examination questions carefully before writing your answers.
▪ examination revision
I need to find somewhere quiet to do some examination revision.
▪ an examination script (=everything that someone writes in an examination)
I've just finished marking 200 examination scripts.
▪ examination marks
On average, girls achieved higher examination marks that boys.
▪ an examination pass
To apply, you need at least two A-level examination passes.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ verbs
▪ carry out an examination ( also conduct an examination formal ) (=examine something)
The police are carrying out an examination of the crime scene.
■ adjectives
▪ a careful examination
After a very careful examination of the evidence, we have ruled against the defendant.
▪ a detailed examination
Scientists have carried out a detailed examination of the house.
▪ a thorough/rigorous examination (=very careful)
There needs to be a thorough examination of these claims.
▪ a close examination (=very careful and detailed)
A close examination of the figures revealed many discrepancies.
▪ a brief examination (=quick, and not very detailed)
In chapter one, there is a brief examination of the economic situation in the country at the time.
▪ a cursory examination (=very quick and not careful or detailed )
Even a cursory examination of the documents would reveal some serious problems.
▪ a superficial examination (=looking only at things that are obvious and easy to see)
The police carried out a fairly superficial examination of the room.
▪ a preliminary/initial examination
The inland revenue began a preliminary examination of his tax returns in August.
▪ further examination (=a more detailed or careful examination)
The results of the experiment merit further examination.
▪ forensic examination (=the scientific methods used for finding out about a crime)
The clothing was sent to the lab for forensic examination.
■ phrases
▪ on closer examination
On closer examination, I could see a slight crack in the window.
▪ under examination
The handling of the matter is under examination by congressional investigators.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 3)
■ verbs
▪ have an examination
He was examined by Dr Bower yesterday and will have another examination today.
▪ undergo an examination (=have one)
All new employees are required to undergo a medical examination.
▪ conduct/perform an examination
The doctor will perform an examination in order to assess the problem.
▪ an examination shows ( also an examination reveals formal )
A second examination showed a small growth in his stomach.
■ adjectives
▪ a medical examination
We need to do a further medical examination.
▪ a clinical examination (=by a doctor)
The clinical examination may not reveal anything abnormal.
▪ a post-mortem examination (=an examination of a dead body to discover why the person died)
The post-mortem examination showed that he died from a blood clot in the brain.
▪ a routine examination
I made an appointment at the dentist's for a routine examination.