'examination-based' originates from modern English as a compound of 'examination' and 'based'. 'examination' derives from Latin 'examinare' / 'examen' meaning 'a weighing, test', and 'base' (in the sense of foundation) traces back to Greek 'basis' via Latin, giving the adjectival sense 'based' (founded on).

'examination' changed from Old French 'examen' and Middle English forms such as 'examynacioun' and eventually became the modern English 'examination'. 'base' passed into English from Latin/Greek via Old French, and the past-participle/adjectival use 'based' developed; the compound 'examination-based' is a relatively recent English formation combining these elements to mean 'founded on examinations'.

Initially, 'examination' meant 'a weighing or testing' and 'base' meant 'foundation'; over time 'examination' came to mean 'formal test' and 'based' came to mean 'founded on', so the compound now means 'founded on examinations or tests'.