exam-based
|ex-am-based|
/ɪɡˈzæmˌbeɪst/
based on exams
Etymology
'exam-based' originates from modern English as a compound of 'exam' and 'based', where 'exam' is a shortened form of 'examination' and 'based' is the past-participle/adjectival use of 'base'.
'exam' is shortened from 'examination', which comes from Latin 'examinare' (from 'examen', meaning a weighing or test). 'base' comes via Old French from Latin/Greek 'basis' meaning a foundation; these elements combined in modern English as the compound 'exam-based'.
Initially the parts referred separately to a 'test' ('exam') and a 'foundation' ('base'); together as 'exam-based' the phrase evolved to mean 'founded on or determined by examinations' rather than a literal physical base.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
established on or organized around examinations as the primary method of assessment or measurement.
The school's exam-based curriculum focuses primarily on final tests rather than coursework.
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Adjective 2
determined by or depending on exam results (used for selection, ranking, or decisions).
University admissions were largely exam-based, with places awarded according to test scores.
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Last updated: 2025/09/14 01:25