das  Examen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛksˈaːmən/

🎓 What does "das Examen" mean?

Das Examen (noun, neuter) refers to a formal examination, especially a final exam at the end of a course of study or training. It's often a comprehensive test assessing knowledge and skills in a specific field.

• Staatsexamen: A state examination required to practice certain professions (e.g., doctor, lawyer, teacher) in Germany.
• Abschlussexamen: The final examination at the end of an educational program.

It's a rather formal term used in academic and professional contexts. The word "Prüfung" is more common in everyday language.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Das Examen

The noun "Examen" is neuter and takes the article "das". It has two common plural forms: "die Examina" (classical, often in academic settings) and "die Examen" (more frequent in general usage).

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

There are two plural forms:

💡 Examples

1. Er bereitet sich auf das Examen vor. (He is preparing for the exam.)
2. Nach dem Examen möchte sie eine Weltreise machen. (After the exam, she wants to travel the world.)
3. Die Ergebnisse des Examens werden nächste Woche bekannt gegeben. (The results of the exam will be announced next week.)
4. Viele Studierende fürchten die mündlichen Examina / Examen. (Many students fear the oral exams.)

📝 Using "Examen"

"Das Examen" is primarily used in formal contexts related to education and profession.

• Context: University, college, vocational training, state examinations.
• Typical phrases: ein Examen ablegen/machen/bestehen/nicht bestehen (to take/do/pass/fail an exam), sich auf das Examen vorbereiten (to prepare for the exam), das Staatsexamen (state examination), das Abschlussexamen (final examination).
• Difference from "Prüfung": "Prüfung" is a more general term for test or examination. "Examen" usually implies a larger, final, or very important examination.
• Difference from "Klausur": A "Klausur" is typically a written test during a semester or course, whereas an "Examen" often marks the end of an educational phase and can include oral and written parts.

For example, you would say: "Ich habe morgen eine Prüfung in Mathe" (I have a test in math tomorrow), but "Ich lerne für mein Staatsexamen in Jura" (I am studying for my state examination in law).

🧠 Memory Aids for "das Examen"

For the article "das": Imagine the result (das Resultat) of the exam is still uncertain, neutral – like the neuter article das.

For the meaning: The word sounds like the English "examine". An Examen is a comprehensive examination of your knowledge.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for "Examen"

⚠️ Similar Words:

• Das Experiment: Scientific experiment (sounds similar, but different meaning).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Professor im mündlichen Examen: "Was ist Energie?"
Student: "Das weiß ich... Moment... es liegt mir auf der Zunge!"
Professor: "Schnell, spucken Sie's aus! Dann ist es wenigstens noch warm!"

Translation:
Professor asks in the oral exam: "What is energy?"
Student: "I know this... wait... it's on the tip of my tongue!"
Professor: "Quick, spit it out! Then at least it will still be warm!"

📜 Poem about the Examen

Die Bücher schwer, der Kopf ist voll,
das Examen naht, mal bitter, mal toll.
Man lernt und schwitzt bei Tag und Nacht,
hat an Schlaf kaum noch gedacht.
Dann ist's geschafft, die Last ist fort,
an einem neuen, freien Ort.

Translation:
The books are heavy, the head is full,
the exam approaches, sometimes bitter, sometimes cool.
You learn and sweat by day and night,
hardly thought of sleep's respite.
Then it's done, the burden's gone,
in a new place, free since dawn.

🧩 Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Test, oft groß und schwer,
am Ende deines Lernens, bitte sehr.
Mit "das" steh ich im Duden drin,
bringe Zeugnis und Gewinn (hoffentlich!).

Was bin ich? ... Das Examen

Translation:
I am a test, often big and tough,
at the end of your learning, that's enough.
With "das" I stand in the dictionary's view,
bringing certificates and gains (hopefully!) for you.

What am I?
... Das Examen

✨ Other Interesting Info

Etymology: The word "Examen" comes from the Latin word exāmen, which originally meant "tongue of a balance," then "examination" or "investigation." The idea is that knowledge or skills are being weighed.

Compound words: There are many compound words with "Examen", e.g.:

• Das Staatsexamen (state examination)
• Das Abschlussexamen (final examination)
• Die Examensarbeit (thesis, exam paper)
• Die Examensnote (exam grade)
• Der Examenskandidat / Die Examenskandidatin (exam candidate)
• Die Examensangst (exam anxiety)