midterm exam

Meaning

A midterm exam is an exam given near the middle of an academic term, semester, or quarter. It tests students on all the material covered up to that point. In casual speech, it is often shortened to just 'midterm.'

Examples

• I need to stay in tonight and study for my chemistry midterm exam.

  I need to stay in tonight and study for my chemistry midterm exam.

• The professor pushed the midterm exam back to next Thursday.

  The professor pushed the midterm exam back to next Thursday.

• How did you do on your history midterm exam?

  How did you do on your history midterm exam?

• Our midterm exam counts for thirty percent of our final grade.

  Our midterm exam counts for thirty percent of our final grade.

• I was so relieved when the midterm exam was finally over.

  I was so relieved when the midterm exam was finally over.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a mid-term exam next week.

  ✓ I have a midterm exam next week.

  While occasionally hyphenated, 'midterm' is standardly written as a single closed compound word in modern American and British English.

• ✗ I am doing a midterm exam.

  ✓ I am taking a midterm exam.

  English speakers use the verbs 'take,' 'write,' or 'sit' for exams, rather than 'do.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• I stayed up all night studying for my biology ___.

  💡 An exam held in the middle of the semester.

  Show answer

  midterm exam

• The teacher decided to cancel the ___ because we were behind schedule.

  💡 The halfway test of the term.

  Show answer

  midterm exam