Exam Prep Glossary
Common terms you will see while preparing for an exam, explained simply.
- Answer key
- The list of correct answers to a test, used to check your work.
- Baseline score
- Your first practice score, used as a starting point to measure improvement.
- Distractor
- A wrong answer choice that looks plausible. Learning why distractors are wrong helps you avoid them.
- Explanation (rationale)
- The reasoning that shows why the correct answer is right and the others are not.
- Flashcards
- Small cards with a question on one side and the answer on the other, used to test your memory.
- Mock exam
- A practice test that copies the format and time limits of the real exam.
- Multiple-choice question
- A question with several answer options where you choose the best one.
- Passing score
- The minimum result needed to pass an exam. It is set by the exam organizer, so always check the official source.
- Pacing
- How you spread your time across questions during a test.
- Practice test
- A set of questions that lets you rehearse an exam and see which topics you need to review.
- Raw score
- The number of questions you answered correctly before any conversion.
- Retake
- Taking the same practice set again to check whether you have improved.
- Reviewer
- A study resource, common in the Philippines, with questions and answers organized by exam topic.
- Spaced practice
- Studying a topic several times with gaps in between, which helps long-term memory.
- Timed practice
- Practicing under a time limit to build speed and focus.