retake an exam

Meaning

This phrase means to sit for a test or examination a second or subsequent time, usually because you failed the first time or want to get a higher score. It is standard terminology in schools, universities, and professional licensing contexts. The tone is practical and neutral.

Examples

• The professor is letting any student who got below a C retake the exam.

  The professor is letting any student who got below a C retake the exam.

• I need to retake the exam next month to improve my final grade.

  I need to retake the exam next month to improve my final grade.

• Is there a fee if I have to retake the exam?

  Is there a fee if I have to retake the exam?

• She studied twice as hard before she retook the exam.

  She studied twice as hard before she retook the exam.

• You can only retake the exam once per semester.

  You can only retake the exam once per semester.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to repeat the exam to get a better grade.

  ✓ I need to retake the exam to get a better grade.

  While 'repeat' is understood, 'retake' is the standard collocated verb for sitting an exam again.

• ✗ The teacher allowed me to make the exam again.

  ✓ The teacher allowed me to retake the exam.

  Students do not 'make' exams; we 'take', 'write', 'sit', or 'retake' them.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you fail the midterms, you'll have to ___ in December.

  💡 Take the test again.

  Show answer

  retake the exam

• She was relieved to hear she could ___ to boost her GPA.

  💡 Sit the test a second time.

  Show answer

  retake the exam