Korean Dictionary
How to say "Exam" in Korean
“Exam” in Korean is 시험 (pronounced "Siheom").
시험
Siheom
Usage & Context
Exams are a central pillar of Korean education. Students from elementary through university take rigorous exams that determine academic futures. The most consequential is the 수능 (Suneung), the national college entrance exam taken by high school seniors each November. Exam season sees students studying around the clock.
Example Sentence
내일 시험이 있어서 오늘 밤 공부해야 해요.
I have an exam tomorrow, so I need to study tonight.
How to use 시험 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Exam” is 시험, romanized as Siheom.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 시험.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'shi-heom' — 'si' is a soft 'shee,' and 'heom' rhymes with 'hum.' Two quick syllables.
More Example Sentences
night before a test
내일 시험이 있어요.
I have an exam tomorrow.
after a test
시험 잘 봤어요?
Did your exam go well?
heading out to cram
시험 공부 하러 도서관 가요.
I'm going to the library to study for the exam.
Cultural Context
시험 culture in Korea is intense — the 수능 (college entrance exam) defines students' futures and is a national event. On 수능 day, planes are rerouted during the English listening section, and businesses open late. 시험 잘 봐 ('do well on the test') is the standard pre-exam blessing.
Editorial note
We review entries like 시험 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
시험이 있어요.
I have an exam.
시험 잘 봐요!
Good luck on the exam!
시험 끝났어요.
The exam is over.
Related Expressions
수능
suneung
college entrance exam (CSAT)
중간고사
junggangosa
midterm exam
기말고사
gimalgosa
final exam
시험지
siheomji
exam paper
More Education Words
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