A question in an examination is anything which the candidate has to do, whether it is in the form of a question or not. Thus the following may be called questions:
a. Translate the following passage into English — a translation question
b. Describe the events which led up to the French Revolu tion — an essay question
329. to hold an examination— to arrange for it to take place (formal style)
e.g. a. The university holds an entrance examination in
May. b. The fifth-form examination will be held in room 15.
To conduct an examination
This may mean:
(1) very much the same as to hold an examination
e.g. a. Institutes of education approve syllabuses and conduct examinations.
(2) to make the necessary administrative and practical arrange ments, for example, provide a suitable room, give out ques tion papers, and see that examination regulations are ob served.
e.g. b. The examination must be conducted in accordance with the regulations.
(3) to examine (in the case of oral examinations)
e.g. å. The examination will be conducted in French, To conduct is also formal style.
To set an examination (paper)
This means to choose the questions and put them together, with appropriate instructions. It applies almost exclusively to written examinations.
e.g. a. School examinations are set by the staff of the school
concerned.
b. (One teacher to another) — We must set the third-year exam paper this week.
332. to examine, examiner, etc. To examinemay mean:
(1) in a written examination, to set and mark the papers.
e.g. a. Dr Evans is examining for Leeds ( = Leeds University) this year.
(2) to conduct an oral examination.
e.g. b. (One teacher to another) — Can you come and see me tomorrow? — No, Ãò afraid I can't. I'm examining.
Note that I've got an exam is also possible in conversation, but it is ambiguous, since it may also mean that one is taking an exam In most cases, however, the context makes it clear.
An examineris a person who sets and marks a written examination, or conducts an oral.
An examining boardis a group, or committee, of examiners. Commission and committee are not used here.
An (examination) candidateis a person being examined. It is formal style.
e.g. Candidates must be in the examination room by 10 a.m. Examineemeans the same as candidate but is rarely used.
To invigilate (at an examination), invigilator
To invigilatemeans "to be present at a written examination in order to ensure that there is no talking or cheating". A person who invigilates is called an invigilator.Sometimes invigilation also involves giving out and collecting in papers.
e.g. — Who's invigilating at the 3rd-year exam? 102
To sit with (an exam)
This is sometimes used in colloquial speech in the sense of invigilate, as described above.
e.g. (One teacher to another) — / must go. I'm sitting with an exam
Sit with is also used when a teacher supervises a class who are not being taught for some reason.
e.g. — / should have a free period now, but I've got to go and sit with 4B. Miss Brown is ill.