Test Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Education

• Standardized tests were first implemented in China over 1,300 years ago as a means for civil service selection.
• Many modern educational systems employ tests to assess understanding and help guide teaching strategies.
• Formative tests are designed to monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback to improve learning.

Psychology

• Testing can influence anxiety levels, with many people feeling nervous before an examination.
• The concept of 'test anxiety' is common, where worry about performance negatively impacts results.
• Studies show that practice tests can improve memory retention significantly compared to repeated study.

Pop Culture

• In gaming, 'tests' are challenges players must pass to progress, often representing greater skills.
• Reality TV shows often incorporate tests of skill or knowledge as challenges for contestants.
• Popular films frequently portray characters facing tests that drive their development and plot progress.

Main points about word origin

• The word originates from the Latin 'testari,' which means 'to witness' or 'to prove.'
• In Medieval Latin, it evolved to 'testis,' meaning 'witness,' emphasizing evaluation.
• The usage of 'test' in the sense of an examination began in the 14th century.

The origin of the word 'test' can be traced back to the late 14th century, from the Old French word 'test', meaning 'small vessel used in assaying precious metals', which in turn came from Latin 'testum'. The sense of 'examining the correctness of something' emerged in the mid-16th century.

See also: attest, detest, protest, retest, testable, testament, tester, testifications, testify, testimony, testiness, tests, untested.

With position #431, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

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• 428 size
• 429 member
• 430 private
• 431 test
• 432 established
• 433 rights
• 434 close
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