Access to education

 absentee
 a person who is not at a place where they were expected to be
 absenteeism
 the fact of being frequently away from work or school, especially without good reasons
 admit
 [transitive] (formal) to allow somebody to become a member of a club, a school or an
organization
 admit somebody The society admits all US citizens over 21.
 admit somebody to/into something Women were only admitted into the club last
year.
 attend
 [transitive, intransitive] attend something (formal) to go regularly to a place
 Our children attend the same school.
 How many people attend church every Sunday?
 Your dentist will ask you to attend for regular check-ups.
 The child was failing to attend regularly at the school.
 attendance
 [uncountable, countable] the act of being present at a place, for example at school
 Attendance at these lectures is not compulsory.
 Teachers must keep a record of students' attendances.
 bursary
 an amount of money that is given to somebody so that they can study, usually at a college or
university
 ditch
 [transitive] ditch school (North American English, informal) to stay away from school
without permission
 drop
 [transitive] drop something to stop doing or discussing something; to not continue with
something
 I dropped German (= stopped studying it) when I was 14.
 Drop everything and come at once!
 Look, can we just drop it (= stop talking about it)?
 I think we'd better drop the subject.
 Let's drop the formalities—please call me Mike.
 The police decided to drop the charges against her.
 dropout
 a person who leaves school or college before they have finished their studies
 college dropouts
 a university with a high dropout rate
 enrol
 to arrange for yourself or for somebody else to officially join a course, school, etc.
 You need to enrol before the end of August.
 (British English) to enrol on a course
 (North American English) to enroll in a course
 enrol somebody The centre will soon be ready to enrol candidates for the new
programme.
 enrolment
  the act of officially joining a course, school, etc.; the number of people who do this
 Enrolment is the first week of September.
 Fees must be paid in full at the time of enrolment.
 School enrolments are currently falling.
 exclude
 exclude somebody/something (from something) to prevent somebody/something from
entering a place or taking part in something
 Women are still excluded from some London clubs.
 (British English) Concern is growing over the number of children excluded from
school (= not allowed to attend because of bad behaviour).
 She felt excluded by the other girls (= they did not let her join in what they were
doing).
 exclusion
 [uncountable, countable] (British English) a situation in which a child is banned from
attending school because of bad behavior
 the exclusion of disruptive students from school
 Two exclusions from one school in the same week is unusual.
 exeat
 permission from an institution such as a boarding school to be away from it for a period of
time
 expel
 expel somebody (from something) to officially make somebody leave a school or an
organization
 She was expelled from school at 15.
 Olympic athletes expelled for drug-taking
 expulsion
 [uncountable, countable] expulsion (from…) the act of sending somebody away from a
school or an organization, so that they can no longer belong to it; the act
of expelling somebody
 The headteacher threatened the three girls with expulsion.
 The club faces expulsion from the football league.
 fee
 an amount of money that you pay to join an organization, or to do something
 membership fees
 There is no entrance fee to the gallery.
 funding
 money for a particular purpose; the act of providing money for such a purpose
 There have been large cuts in government funding for scientific research.
 grant
 grant (to do something) a sum of money that is given by the government or by another
organization to be used for a particular purpose
 student grants (= to pay for their education)
 He has been awarded a research grant.
 intake
 [countable, uncountable] the number of people who are allowed to enter a school, college,
profession, etc. during a particular period
 the annual student intake
 Intake in universities is down by 10%.
 non-attendance
 failure to go to a place at a time or for an event where you are expected
  the problems of children’s non-attendance at school
 skip
 [transitive] skip something to not do something that you usually do or should do
 I often skip breakfast altogether.
 (especially North American English) She decided to  skip class that afternoon.
 skive
 to avoid work or school by staying away or leaving early
 ‘Where's Tom?’ ‘Skiving as usual.’
 skive off She always skives off early on Fridays.
 I always skived off school when I could.
 skive something  I skived the last lecture.
 sponsor
 a person or company that supports somebody by paying for their training or education
 Unless he can find a sponsor he’ll be forced to retire from athletics.
 sponsor
 sponsor somebody (through something) to support somebody by paying for their training
or education
 She found a company to sponsor her through college.
 suspension
[uncountable, countable] the act of officially removing somebody from their job, school,
team, etc. for a period of time, usually as a punishment
 suspension from school
 The two players are appealing against their suspensions. 
 truant
to stay away from school without permission
 In school

 assembly
[countable, uncountable] a meeting of the teachers and students in a school, usually at the start
of the day, to give information, discuss school events or say prayers together

 The deputy headmaster was taking (= leading) school assembly that day.

 bell
 an electrical device which makes a ringing sound when a button on it is pushed; the sound
that it makes, used as a signal or a warning
 Ring the bell to see if they're in.
 The bell's ringing!
 The bell went for the end of the lesson.
 An alarm bell went off.
 (figurative) Warning bells started ringing in her head as she sensed that something
was wrong.
 blackboard
 a large board with a smooth black or dark green surface that teachers write on with a piece
of chalk
 to write on the blackboard
 board
 [countable] (especially in compounds) a piece of wood, or other strong material, that is used
for a special purpose
 a blackboard
 I'll write it up on the board.
 (British English) a noticeboard
 (North American English) a bulletin board
 The exam results went up on the board.
 a diving board
 She jumped off the top board.
 a chessboard
 He removed the figure from the board.
 canteen
 (especially British English) a place where food and drink are served in a factory, a school,
etc.
 chalk
 [uncountable, countable] a substance similar to chalk made into white or coloured sticks for
writing or drawing
 a  piece/stick of chalk
 drawing diagrams with chalk on the blackboard
 a box of coloured chalks
 changing room
 a room for changing clothes in, especially before playing sports
 chapel
 [countable] a small building or room used for Christian worship in a school, prison, large
private house, etc.
 a college chapel
 classroom
  a room where a class of children or students is taught
 classroom activities
 the use of computers in the classroom
 common room
 a room used by the teachers or students of a school, college, etc. when they are not teaching
or studying
 corridor
 (North American English also hallway) a long narrow passage in a building, with doors that
open into rooms on either side

 His room is along the corridor.

 desk
 a piece of furniture like a table, usually with drawers in it, that you sit at to read, write, work,
etc.
 He used to be a pilot but now he has a desk job.
 dormitory
 a room for several people to sleep in, especially in a school or other institution
 entrance
[countable] entrance (to something) a door, gate, passage, etc. used for entering a room,
building or place

 the entrance to the museum/the museum entrance

 A lighthouse marks the entrance to the harbour.
 the front/back/side entrance  of the house
 an  entrance hall/lobby
 I'll meet you at the  main entrance.
 
 field
 (British English also pitch) [countable] (usually in compounds) an area of land used for
playing a sport on
 a  baseball/rugby/football, etc. field
 a sports field
 Today they take the field (= go on to the field to play a game) against county
champions Essex.
 Players are only reselected if they retain their form on the field (= when they are
playing a match).
 For Liverpool fans, it was a night to remember both on and off the field (= the match
was good and so were the celebrations afterwards).
 gym
 (also formal gymnasium) [countable] a room or hall with equipment for doing physical
exercise, for example in a school
 to play basketball in the gym
 The school has recently built a new gym.
 hall
 a building or large room for public meetings, meals, concerts, etc.
 a  concert/banqueting/sports/exhibition, etc. hall
  There are three dining halls on campus.
 The Royal Albert Hall
 (British English) A jumble sale will be held in the village hall on Saturday.
 infirmary
a special room in a school, prison, etc. for people who are ill/sick
 the college infirmary 
 laboratory
 a room or building used for scientific research, experiments, testing, etc.
 a research laboratory
 laboratory experiments/tests
 to send a specimen to the laboratory for analysis
 language laboratory
 a room in a school or college that contains special equipment to help students learn foreign
languages by listening to tapes or CDs, watching videos or DVDs, recording themselves, etc.
 library
 a building in which collections of books, CDs, newspapers, etc. are kept for people to read,
study or borrow
 a  public/reference/university, etc. library
 a  library book
 a  toy library (= for borrowing toys from)
 locker
 a small cupboard that can be locked, where you can leave your clothes, bags, etc. while you
play a sport or go somewhere
 I left my things in my locker.
 locker room
 a room with lockers in it, at a school, gym, etc., where people can change their clothes
 pigeonhole
 one of a set of small boxes that are fixed on a wall and open at the front, used for putting
letters, messages, etc. in; one of a similar set of boxes that are part of a desk, used for keeping
papers, documents, etc. in
 If you can't come, leave a note in my pigeonhole.
 playground
 an outdoor area where children can play, especially at a school or in a park
 playing field
 a large area of grass, usually with lines marked on it, where people play sports and games
 the school playing fields
 The school's playing fields offer facilities for tennis, football, hockey and athletics.
 quadrangle
 an open square area that has buildings all around it, especially in a school or college
 It has a large central quadrangle entered from the south side.
 reception
[uncountable] (especially British English) the area inside the entrance of a hotel, an office
building, etc. where guests or visitors go first when they arrive
 the reception area
 We arranged to meet in reception at 6.30.
 You can leave a message with reception.
 (North American English, British English) the reception desk 
 schoolyard
 an outdoor area of a school for children to play in
 sickbay
 a room or rooms, for example on a ship or in a school, with beds for people who are ill/sick
 staffroom
 a room in a school where teachers can go when they are not teaching
 study hall
 a period of time during the school day when students study quietly on their own, usually with
a teacher present
 whiteboard
1 a large board with a smooth white surface that teachers, etc. write on with special pens
2 = interactive whiteboard 
 workbench
a long heavy table used for doing practical jobs, working with tools, etc.
 People in schools

 assistant
 (British English) a student at university or college who spends time in a foreign country
teaching his or her own language in a school
 caretaker
(British English) (North American English, Scottish English janitor) (North American
English also custodian) a person whose job is to take care of a building such as a school or a
block of flats or an apartment building
 class
[countable + singular or plural verb] a group of students who are taught together
 We were in the same class at school.
 She is the youngest in her class.
 He came top of the class.
 The whole class was/were told to stay behind after school. 
 classmate
a person who is or was in the same class as you at school or collegeAre you curious to know
where your former classmates are now? 
 custodian
(North American English) (British English caretaker) (North American English also, Scottish
English janitor) a person whose job is to take care of a building such as a school or a block of
flats or an apartment building 
 deputy
a person who is the next most important person below a business manager, a head of a school,
a political leader, etc. and who does the person’s job when he or she is away
 I'm acting as deputy till the manager returns.
 the deputy head of a school 
 educator
a person whose job is to teach or educate people
 adult educators (= who teach adults) 
 graduate
(North American English) a person who has completed their school studies
 a high school graduate 
 head
[countable] (often Head) (British English) the person in charge of a school or college
 I've been called in to see the Head.
 the deputy head 
 head boy
(in some British schools) the boy who is chosen each year to represent his school 
 head girl
(in some British schools) the girl who is chosen each year to represent her school 
 inspector
a person whose job is to visit schools, factories, etc. to check that rules are being obeyed and
that standards are acceptable
 a  school/health/safety, etc. inspector 
 janitor = custodian
 
 junior
1 [countable] (British English) a child who goes to junior school
  Sam is going to be a junior next year.
2 [countable] (North American English) a student in the year before the last year at high
school or college 
 learner
a person who is finding out about a subject or how to do something
 a  slow/quick learner
 a dictionary for learners of English
 learner-centred teaching methods
 young/adult learners
 a language learner 
 master
1 (British English, old-fashioned) a male teacher at a school, especially a private school
 the physics master
2 Master (in Britain) the title of the head of some schools and university colleges
 the Master of Wolfson College 
 matron
(British English) a woman who works as a nurse in a school 
 mistress
(British English, old-fashioned) a female teacher in a school, especially a private school
 the Biology mistress 
 monitor
a student in a school who performs special duties, such as helping the teacher 
 prefect
(in some British schools) an older student with some authority over younger students and
some other responsibilities and advantages 
 principal
(North American English) (British English head teacher) a teacher who is in charge of a
school
 Principal Ray Smith
 PTA
parent-teacher association (a group run by parents and teachers in a school that organizes
social events and helps the school in different ways) 
 pupil
(especially British English, becoming old-fashioned) a person who is being taught, especially
a child in a school
 How many pupils does the school have?
 She now teaches only private pupils. 
 schoolchild
 a child who attends school
 Younger schoolchildren will receive free milk and fruit.
 school-leaver
 a person who has just left school, especially when they are looking for a job
 the problem of rising unemployment among school-leavers
 schoolmistress
a female teacher in a school, especially a private school
 senior
1 (British English) a child at a senior school; an older child in a school
2 (in the US and some other countries) a student in the last year at a high school or college
 high school seniors 
 staff
[singular] (North American English) the people who work at a school, college or university,
but who do not teach students
 students, faculty and staff
 student
 a person who is studying at a school, especially a secondary school
 a 15-year-old high school student
 swot
(British English) (US English grind) (informal, disapproving) a person who spends too much
time studying
 teacher
a person whose job is teaching, especially in a school
 a  history/science, etc. teacher
 primary school teachers
 There is a growing need for qualified teachers of Business English. 
 teaching assistant
a person who is not a qualified teacher who helps a teacher in a school 
 truant
a child who stays away from school without permission 
 tutor
1 a private teacher, especially one who teaches an individual student or a very small group

2 (especially British English) a teacher whose job is to pay special attention to the studies or
health, etc. of a student or a group of students

 his history tutor

 He was my personal tutor at university.
 She's in my tutor group at school.

3 (British English) a teacher, especially one who teaches adults or who has a special role in a
school or college

 a part-time adult education tutor

 School life

 assembly
[countable, uncountable] a meeting of the teachers and students in a school, usually at the start
of the day, to give information, discuss school events or say prayers together
 The deputy headmaster was taking (= leading) school assembly that day. 
 assistant
a person who helps or supports somebody, usually in their jobMy assistant will now
demonstrate the machine in action.a senior research assistantShe works as a care assistant in
an old people's home. 
 bag lunch
a meal of sandwiches, fruit, etc. that you take to school, work, etc. in a bag 
 bell
an electrical device which makes a ringing sound when a button on it is pushed; the sound
that it makes, used as a signal or a warning
 Ring the bell to see if they're in.
 The bell's ringing!
 The bell went for the end of the lesson.
 An alarm bell went off.
 (figurative) Warning bells started ringing in her head as she sensed that something
was wrong. 
 blazer
a jacket, not worn with matching trousers/pants, often showing the colours or badge of a club,
school, team, etc.
 He was smartly dressed in a blazer and slacks.
 a school blazer 
 box lunch
a meal of sandwiches, fruit, etc. that you take to school, work, etc. in a box 
 break
(also break time) (both British English) (North American English recess) [uncountable] a
period of time between lessons at school
 Come and see me at break. 
 bully
(pl. bullies) a person who uses their strength or power to frighten or hurt weaker people
 the school bully
 Leave him alone, you big bully!
 school/playground bullies 
 bully
to frighten or hurt a weaker person; to use your strength or power to make somebody do
something
 bully somebody My son is being bullied at school.
 bully somebody into something/into doing something I won't be bullied into
signing anything. 
 bunk off
(British English, informal) to stay away from school or work when you should be there; to
leave school or work early
 I’m going to bunk off this afternoon.
 She had bunked off work all week. 
 bus
 a large road vehicle that carries passengers, especially one that travels along a fixed route and
stops regularly to let people get on and offShall we walk or go by bus?A regular bus service
connects the train station with the town centre.a bus company/drivera school bus 
 caretaker
(British English) (North American English, Scottish English janitor) (North American
English also custodian) a person whose job is to take care of a building such as a school or a
block of flats or an apartment building 
 choir
[countable + singular or plural verb] a group of people who sing together, for example in
church services or public performancesShe sings in the school choir. 
 class
1 [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of students who are taught together
 We were in the same class at school.
 She is the youngest in her class.
 He came top of the class.
The whole class was/were told to stay behind after school.
2 [countable, uncountable] an occasion when a group of students meets to be taught
 I was late for a class.
 See me after class.
 She works hard in class (= during the class).
 I have a history class at 9 o'clock. 
 classmate
a person who is or was in the same class as you at school or college
 Are you curious to know where your former classmates are now? 
 corporal punishment
the physical punishment of people, especially by hitting them 
 custodian
(North American English) (British English caretaker) (North American English also, Scottish
English janitor) a person whose job is to take care of a building such as a school or a block of
flats or an apartment building 
 demerit
(North American English) a mark on somebody’s school record showing that they have done
something wrong
 You'll get three demerits if you're caught smoking on school grounds. 
 detention
[uncountable, countable] the punishment of being kept at school for a time after other students
have gone home
 They can’t give me (a) detention for this. 
 discipline
[uncountable] the practice of training people to obey rules and orders and punishing them if
they do not; the controlled behaviour or situation that results from this training
 The school has a reputation for high standards of discipline.
 Strict discipline is imposed on army recruits.
 She keeps good discipline in class.
 Lack of discipline at home meant that many pupils found it difficult to settle in to the
ordered environment of the school. 
 discipline
discipline somebody (for something) to punish somebody for something they have done
 The officers were disciplined for using racist language. 
 exclude
 exclude somebody/something (from something) to prevent somebody/something from
entering a place or taking part in something
 Women are still excluded from some London clubs.
 (British English) Concern is growing over the number of children excluded from
school (= not allowed to attend because of bad behaviour).
 She felt excluded by the other girls (= they did not let her join in what they were
doing). 
 exclusion
[uncountable, countable] (British English) a situation in which a child is banned from
attending school because of bad behavior
 the exclusion of disruptive students from school
 Two exclusions from one school in the same week is unusual. 
 exercise book
1 (British English) (North American English notebook) a small book for students to write
their work in
2 = workbook 
 expel
expel somebody (from something) to officially make somebody leave a school or an
organization
 She was expelled from school at 15.
 Olympic athletes expelled for drug-taking 
 field day
a special day at school when there are no classes and children compete in sports events 
 field trip
a journey made by a group of people, often students, to study something in its natural
environment
 We went on a geology field trip.
 Delegates at the conference were taken on field trips to see the devastation. 
 form
(British English, old-fashioned) a class in a school
 Who's your form teacher? 
 grade
(in the US school system) one of the levels in a school with children of similar age
 Sam is in (the) second grade. 
 grade
(especially North American English) to give a mark/grade to a student or to a piece of their
written work
 grade somebody/something  I spent all weekend grading papers.
 grade somebody/something + noun The best students are graded A. 
 graduate
(North American English) a person who has completed their school studies
 a high school graduate 
 gymslip
a dress without sleeves worn over a shirt as a school uniform for girls, especially in the past 
 half-term
(in British schools) a short holiday/vacation in the middle of each term
 the half-term break/holiday
 What are you doing at half-term?
 It’s the half-term break next week.
 Your essays should be handed in before half-term. 
 head
[countable] (often Head) (British English) the person in charge of a school or college
 I've been called in to see the Head.
 the deputy head 
 head boy
(in some British schools) the boy who is chosen each year to represent his school 
 head girl
(in some British schools) the girl who is chosen each year to represent her school 
 headmaster
a male teacher who is in charge of a school, especially a private school 
 headmistress
a female teacher who is in charge of a school, especially a private school 
 head teacher
a teacher who is in charge of a school
 The head teacher broke the news to the school at morning assembly.
 We interviewed the head teacher of the local school. 
 holiday
[countable] a day when most people do not go to work or school, especially because of a
religious or national celebration
 a national holiday
 Today is a holiday in Wales. 
 homework
work that is given by teachers for students to do at home
 I still haven't done my geography homework.
 How much homework do you get?
 I have to write up the notes for homework. 
 hooky
to stay away from school without permission 
 house
[countable] (in some British schools) an organized group of students of different ages who
compete against other groups in sports competitions, etc. and who may, in boarding schools,
live together in one building 
 janitor = custodian
 
 junior
[countable] (North American English) a student in the year before the last year at high
school or college 
 lollipop lady
a woman whose job is to help children cross a busy road on their way to and from school by
holding up a sign on a stick telling traffic to stop

 lollipop man
a man whose job is to help children cross a busy road on their way to and from school by
holding up a sign on a stick telling traffic to stop 
 mark
[transitive, intransitive] mark (something) (especially British English) to give marks to
students’ work
 I hate marking exam papers.
 I spend at least six hours a week marking. 
 mark
(especially British English) a number or letter that is given to show the standard of
somebody’s work or performance or is given to somebody for answering something correctly
 to get a good/poor mark in English
 to give somebody a high/low mark
 What's the pass mark (= the mark you need in order to pass)?
 I got full marks (= the highest mark possible) in the spelling test.
 (ironic) ‘You're wearing a tie!’ ‘Full marks for observation.’ 
 merit
1 [countable] (British English) a mark/grade in an exam or for a piece of work at school or
university which is excellent
2 [countable] (British English) a mark/grade given as a reward for good behaviour at school 
 mess around
to behave in a silly and annoying way, especially instead of doing something useful
 Will you stop messing around and get on with some work?
 I messed around in my first year at college. 
 packed lunch
a meal of sandwiches, fruit, etc. that is prepared at home and eaten at school, work, etc. 
 prefect
(in some British schools) an older student with some authority over younger students and
some other responsibilities and advantages 
 principal
(North American English) (British English head teacher) a teacher who is in charge of a
school
 Principal Ray Smith 
 prize-giving
a ceremony at which prizes are given to people who have done very good work 
 project
a piece of work involving careful study of a subject over a period of time, done by school or
college students
 a history project
 The final term will be devoted to project work. 
 prom
(especially in the US) a formal dance, especially one that is held at a high school
 the senior prom 
 PTA
parent-teacher association (a group run by parents and teachers in a school that organizes
social events and helps the school in different ways) 
 recess
(North American English) (British English break, break time) [uncountable] a period of time
between lessons at school 
 register
[countable] an official list or record of names, items, etc.; a book that contains such a list
 a  parish register (= of births, marriages and deaths)
 to be on the electoral register/register of voters
 Could you sign the hotel register please, sir?
 (British English) The teacher called the register (= checked who was present at
school). 
 registration
 [uncountable] (British English) the time when a teacher looks at the list of students on the
class register and checks that the students are present 
 satchel
a bag with a long strap, that you hang over your shoulder or wear on your back, used
especially for carrying school books 
 schedule
[countable] (North American English) = timetable
a train schedule
Chinese will be on the school schedule from next year. 
 school
[uncountable] (used without the or a) the time during the day when children are working in a
school
 Shall I meet you after school today?
 School begins at 9.
 The kids are at/in school until 3.30.
 after-school activities 
 the school run
the journey that parents make to take their children to school or to bring them home again
 I have to get back in time to  do the school run. 
 senior
1 (British English) a child at a senior school; an older child in a school
2 (in the US and some other countries) a student in the last year at a high school or college
 high school seniors 
 skip
[transitive] skip something to not do something that you usually do or should do
 I often skip breakfast altogether.
 (especially North American English) She decided to  skip class that afternoon. 
 skive
to avoid work or school by staying away or leaving early
 ‘Where's Tom?’ ‘Skiving as usual.’
 skive off She always skives off early on Fridays.
 I always skived off school when I could.
 skive something  I skived the last lecture. 
 sports day
a special day at school when there are no classes and children compete in sports events 
 stream
(especially British English) a group of students of the same age and level of ability in some
schools
 She was put into the fast stream. 
 suspend
[usually passive] suspend somebody (from something) to officially prevent somebody from
doing their job, going to school, etc. for a time
 The police officer was suspended while the complaint was investigated.
 She was suspended from school for a week. 
 suspension
[uncountable, countable] the act of officially removing somebody from their job, school,
team, etc. for a period of time, usually as a punishment
 suspension from school
 The two players are appealing against their suspensions. 
 syllabus
a list of the topics, books, etc. that students should study in a particular subject at school or
college 
 taunt
taunt somebody to try to make somebody angry or upset by saying unkind things about them,
laughing at their failures, etc.
 The other kids continually taunted him about his size. 
 taunt
an insulting or unkind remark that is intended to make somebody angry or upset
 Black players often had to endure racist taunts.
 She ignored his taunt.
 Their taunts stung him into his best performance for the team yet. 
 teacher
a person whose job is teaching, especially in a school
 a  history/science, etc. teacher
 primary school teachers
 There is a growing need for qualified teachers of Business English. 
 teaching assistant
a person who is not a qualified teacher who helps a teacher in a school 
 telling-off
the act of speaking angrily to somebody, especially a child, because they have done
something bad
 The nurse gave him a telling-off for smoking in the hospital. 
 tell off
(informal) to speak angrily to somebody for doing something wrong
 I told the boys off for making so much noise.
 Did you get told off? 
 tell on
(informal) to tell a person in authority about something bad that somebody has done
 Promise not to tell on me! 
 test
an examination of somebody’s knowledge or ability, consisting of questions for them to
answer or activities for them to perform
 an  IQ/intelligence/aptitude test
 to take a test
 (British English) to do a test
 test (on something) a test on irregular verbs
 to pass/fail a test
 (British English) a good mark in the test
 (North American English) a good grade on the test 
 test
[transitive, intransitive] to find out how much somebody knows, or what they can do by
asking them questions or giving them activities to perform
 test somebody (on something) Children are tested on core subjects at ages 7, 11 and
14.
 test (something)  We test your English before deciding which class to put you in.
 Schools use various methods of testing. 
 textbook
(North American English also text) a book that teaches a particular subject and that is used
especially in schools and colleges
  a  school/medical/history, etc. textbook 
 timetable
(especially British English) (North American English usually schedule) a list showing the
times at which particular events will happen
 a  bus/train timetable (= when they arrive and leave)
 We have a new timetable each term (= showing the times of each class in school).
 Sport is no longer so important in the school timetable (= all the subjects that are
taught at schools). 
 truant
a child who stays away from school without permission
to stay away from school without permission 
 uniform
[countable, uncountable] the special set of clothes worn by all members of an organization or
a group at work, or by children at school

 a  military/police/nurse’s uniform
 soldiers in uniform
 The hat is part of the school uniform.
 Do you have to wear uniform?
 
 vacation
[countable] (in Britain) one of the periods of time when universities or courts of law are
closed; (in the US) one of the periods of time when schools, colleges, universities or courts of
law are closed
 the Christmas/Easter/summer vacation
 (British English) the long vacation (= the summer vacation) 
 year
[countable] (especially British English) (at a school, etc.) a level that you stay in for one year;
a student at a particular level
 We started German in year seven.
 a year-seven pupil
 The first years do French.
 She was in my year at school. 
 yearbook
(especially North American English) a book that is produced by the senior class in a school or
college, containing photographs of students and details of school activities
 Subjects and courses

 art
1 [uncountable] the skill of creating objects such as paintings and drawings, especially when
you study it
 She's good at art and design.
 an  art teacher/student/college/class
2 [countable, usually plural] the subjects you can study at school or university that are not
scientific, such as languages, history or literature
 an arts degree 
 biology
the scientific study of the life and structure of plants and animals
 a degree in biology 
 business studies
the study of subjects connected with money and managing a business
 a degree in business studies 
 chemistry
the scientific study of the structure of substances, how they react when combined or in contact
with one another, and how they behave under different conditions
 a degree in chemistry
 the university’s chemistry department
 inorganic/organic chemistry 
 Chinese
[uncountable] the language of China 
 classic
Classics [uncountable] the study of ancient Greek and Roman culture, especially their
languages and literature
 a degree in Classics 
 compulsory
that must be done because of a law or a rule
 It is compulsory for all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
 English is a compulsory subject at this level.
 compulsory education/schooling
 compulsory redundancies 
 course
[countable] course (in/on something) a series of lessons or lectures on a particular subject
 a  French/chemistry, etc. course
 to take/do a course in art and design
 to go on a  management training course
 The college runs specialist language courses. 
 cross-country
[uncountable] the sport of running or skiing across country 
 curricular
connected with the curriculum of a school, etc. 
 curriculum
the subjects that are included in a course of study or taught in a school, college, etc.
 the school curriculum
 (British English) Spanish is on the curriculum.
 (North American English) Spanish is in the curriculum. 
 drama
[uncountable] plays considered as a form of literature
 classical/Elizabethan/modern, etc. drama
 a drama critic
 drama school
 a drama student
 I studied English and Drama at college. 
 DT
the abbreviation for ‘design and technology’ (a school subject in which students learn about
the role of technology in modern life and also design and make things for themselves) 
 economics
[uncountable] the study of how a society organizes its money, trade and industry
 He studied politics and economics at Yale.
 Keynesian/Marxist economics 
 elective
(of a course or subject) that a student can choose 
 elective
(especially North American English) a course or subject at a college or school which a student
can choose to do
 Students can choose from a range of electives offered by the science department. 
 English
[uncountable] English language or literature as a subject of study
 a degree in English
 English is my best subject. 
 extra-curricular
not part of the usual course of work or studies at a school or college
 She's involved in many extra-curricular activities. 
 free period
a period of time in a school day when a student or teacher does not have a class 
 geography
[uncountable] the scientific study of the earth’s surface, physical features, divisions, products,
population, etc.
 human/physical/economic/social geography
 a  geography lesson/department/teacher/textbook
 a degree in geography 
 German
[uncountable] the language of Germany, Austria and parts of Switzerland 
 history
[uncountable] the study of past events as a subject at school or university
 a  history teacher
 a degree in History
 social/economic/political history
 ancient/medieval/modern history
 She's studying  art history. 
 home economics
cooking and other skills needed at home, taught as a subject in school 
 ICT
the abbreviation for ‘information and communications technology’ (the study of the use of
computers, the Internet, video, and other technology as a subject at school) 
 mathematics
[uncountable] the science of numbers and shapes. Branches
of mathematics include arithmetic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry.

 the school mathematics curriculum

 
 media studies
the study of newspapers, television, radio, etc. as a subject at school, etc. 
 optional
that you can choose to do or have if you want to
 Certain courses are compulsory; others are optional.
 This model comes with a number of optional extras (= things you can choose to have
but which you will have to pay extra for). 
 PE
the abbreviation for ‘physical education’ (sport and exercise that is taught in schools)
 a PE class
 a PE lesson/teacher 
 the performing arts
arts such as music, dance and drama which are performed for an audience 
 philosophy
[uncountable] the study of the nature and meaning of the universe and of human life
 moral philosophy
 the philosophy of science
 a professor of philosophy
 a degree in philosophy 
 physics
the scientific study of matter and energy and the relationships between them, including the
study of forces, heat, light, sound, electricity and the structure of atoms
 a degree in physics
 particle/nuclear/theoretical physics
 the laws of physics
 a school physics department
 to study the physics of the electron 
 PSHEE
the abbreviation for ‘personal, social, health and economic education’ (a subject taught in
British schools that deals with a person’s emotional and social development and discusses
such issues as health, sex, drugs, relationships with other people, work and finance) 
 psychology
[uncountable] the scientific study of the mind and how it influences behavior
 social/educational/child psychology 
 RE
the abbreviation for ‘religious education’ (a school subject in which students learn about
different religions)
 an RE teacher 
 science
1 [uncountable] the study of science
 science students/teachers/courses
2 [uncountable, countable] a particular branch of science
  to study one of the sciences 
 sociology
the scientific study of the nature and development of society and social behaviour 
 subject
an area of knowledge studied in a school, college, etc.

 Biology is my favourite subject.

 Teaching and learning

 academic
1 [usually before noun] connected with education, especially studying in schools and
universities
 The students return in October for the start of the new academic year.
 high/low academic standards
 an academic career
 The enrolment criteria are geographical rather than academic.
2 [usually before noun] involving a lot of reading and studying rather than practical or
technical skills
 academic subjects/qualifications
3 good at subjects involving a lot of reading and studying
 She wasn't very academic and hated school. 
 academic year
the period of the year during which students go to school or university 
 admit
[transitive] (formal) to allow somebody to become a member of a club, a school or an
organization
 admit somebody The society admits all US citizens over 21.
 admit somebody to/into something Women were only admitted into the club last
year. 
 adult education
education for adults that is available outside the formal education system, for example at
evening classes 
 attend
[transitive, intransitive] attend something (formal) to go regularly to a place
 Our children attend the same school.
 How many people attend church every Sunday?
 Your dentist will ask you to attend for regular check-ups.
 The child was failing to attend regularly at the school. 
 attendance
[uncountable, countable] the act of being present at a place, for example at school
 Attendance at these lectures is not compulsory.
 Teachers must keep a record of students' attendances. 
 boarding school
a school where children can live during the school year 
 bursary
an amount of money that is given to somebody so that they can study, usually at a college or
university 
 class
1 [countable + singular or plural verb] a group of students who are taught together
 We were in the same class at school.
 She is the youngest in her class.
 He came top of the class.
 The whole class was/were told to stay behind after school.
2 [countable, uncountable] an occasion when a group of students meets to be taught
 I was late for a class.
 See me after class.
  She works hard in class (= during the class).
 I have a history class at 9 o'clock.
3 [countable + singular or plural verb] (especially North American English) a group of
students who finish their studies at school, college or university in a particular year
 the class of 2008 
 college
[countable] (especially in names, in Britain and some other countries) a secondary school,
especially one where you must pay
 Eton College 
 distance learning
a system of education in which people study at home with the help of special Internet sites
and television and radio programmes, and send or email work to their teachers
 a  distance learning programme/package 
 drop out
to leave school, college, etc. without finishing your studies
 She started a degree but dropped out after only a year. 
 dropout
a person who leaves school or college before they have finished their studies
 college dropouts
 a university with a high dropout rate 
 educated
1 -educated having had the kind of education mentioned; having been to the school, college
or university mentioned
 privately educated children
 a British-educated lawyer
 He's a Princeton-educated Texan.
2 having had a high standard of education; showing a high standard of education
 an educated and articulate person
 the educated elite
 He spoke in an educated voice. 
 education
[uncountable, singular] a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools or
colleges, to improve knowledge and develop skills
 primary/elementary education
 secondary education
 further/higher/post-secondary education
 students in full-time education
 adult education classes
 a college/university education
 the state education system
 a man of little education
 She completed her formal education in 1995. 
 educational
connected with education; providing education
 children with special educational needs
 an educational psychologist
 an educational visit
 educational games/toys (= that teach you something as well as amusing you)
 Watching television can be very educational. 
 educator
 a person whose job is to teach or educate people
 adult educators (= who teach adults) 
 enrol
to arrange for yourself or for somebody else to officially join a course, school, etc.
 You need to enrol before the end of August.
 (British English) to enrol on a course
 (North American English) to enroll in a cours
 enrol somebody The centre will soon be ready to enrol candidates for the new
programme. 
 enrolment
the act of officially joining a course, school, etc.; the number of people who do this
 Enrolment is the first week of September.
 Fees must be paid in full at the time of enrolment.
 School enrolments are currently falling. 
 evening class
a course of study for adults in the evening
 an evening class in car maintenance
 to go to/attend evening classes 
 exam
a formal written, spoken or practical test, especially at school or college, to see how much you
know about a subject, or what you can do
 to take an exam
 to pass/fail an exam
 an  exam paper
 I got my exam results today.
 A lot of students suffer from exam nerves.
 (British English) I hate doing exams.
 (British English, formal) to sit an exam
 (British English) to mark an exam
 (North American English) to grade an exam
 (British English) She did well in her exams.
 (North American English) She did well on her exams. 
 extra-curricular
not part of the usual course of work or studies at a school or college
 She's involved in many extra-curricular activities. 
 fee
an amount of money that you pay to join an organization, or to do something
 membership fees
 There is no entrance fee to the gallery. 
 funding
money for a particular purpose; the act of providing money for such a purpose
 There have been large cuts in government funding for scientific research. 
 further education
education that is provided for people after leaving school, but not at a university 
 grade
1 a mark given in an exam or for a piece of school work
(British English) She got good grades in her exams.
(North American English) She got good grades on her exams.
70% of pupils got Grade C or above.
2 (in the US school system) one of the levels in a school with children of similar age
  Sam is in (the) second grade. 
 head
[countable] (often Head) (British English) the person in charge of a school or college
 I've been called in to see the Head.
 the deputy head 
 headmaster
a male teacher who is in charge of a school, especially a private school 
 headmistress
a female teacher who is in charge of a school, especially a private school 
 headship
(British English) the position of being in charge of a school 
 head teacher
a teacher who is in charge of a school
 The head teacher broke the news to the school at morning assembly.
 We interviewed the head teacher of the local school. 
 higher education
education and training at college and university, especially to degree level 
 instructor
a person whose job is to teach somebody a practical skill or sport
 a driving instructor
 a swimming/diving/fitness/flying/riding/ski instructor 
 intake
[countable, uncountable] the number of people who are allowed to enter a school, college,
profession, etc. during a particular period
 the annual student intake
 Intake in universities is down by 10%. 
 knowledge
[uncountable, singular] the information, understanding and skills that you gain through
education or experience
 practical/medical/scientific knowledge
 knowledge of/about something He has a wide knowledge of painting and music.
 There is a lack of knowledge about the tax system. 
 learn
[transitive, intransitive] to gain knowledge or skill by studying, from experience, from being
taught, etc.
 learn something to learn a language/a musical instrument/a skill
 learn something from somebody/something I learned a lot from my father.
 learn something from doing something You can learn a great deal just from
watching other players.
 learn (about something)  She's very keen to learn about Japanese culture.
 The book is about how children learn.
 learn to do something He's learning to dance.
 learn how, what, etc… Today we learnt how to use the new software.
 He’s still learning how to dance. 
 learner
a person who is finding out about a subject or how to do something

 a  slow/quick learner
 a dictionary for learners of English
  learner-centred teaching methods
 young/adult learners
 a language learner
 
 learning
the process of learning something
 computer-assisted learning
 Last season was a learning experience for me.
 student-centred learning
 new methods of language learning 
 learning disability
a mental problem that people may have from birth, or that may be caused by illness or injury,
that affects their ability to learn things 
 mark
[transitive, intransitive] mark (something) (especially British English) to give marks to
students’ work
 I hate marking exam papers.
 I spend at least six hours a week marking. 
 mark
(especially British English) a number or letter that is given to show the standard of
somebody’s work or performance or is given to somebody for answering something correctly
 to get a good/poor mark in English
 to give somebody a high/low mark
 What's the pass mark (= the mark you need in order to pass)?
 I got full marks (= the highest mark possible) in the spelling test.
 (ironic) ‘You're wearing a tie!’ ‘Full marks for observation.’ 
 matriculate
[intransitive] (South African English) to successfully complete the final year of school 
 night school
classes for adults, held in the evening 
 pupil
(especially British English, becoming old-fashioned) a person who is being taught, especially
a child in a school
 How many pupils does the school have?
 She now teaches only private pupils. 
 report
(British English) (North American English report card) a written statement about a student’s
work at school, college, etc.
 a school report
 to get a good/bad report 
 scholarship
1 [countable] an amount of money given to somebody by an organization to help pay for their
education
 She won a scholarship to study at Stanford.
 He went to drama school on a scholarship.
2 [uncountable] the serious study of an academic subject and the knowledge and methods
involved
 a magnificent work of scholarship 
 scholastic
connected with schools and education
 scholastic achievements 
 schoolchild
a child who attends school
 Younger schoolchildren will receive free milk and fruit. 
 schooling
the education you receive at school
 secondary schooling
 He had very little schooling.
 Who’s paying for her schooling? 
 school-leaver
a person who has just left school, especially when they are looking for a job
 the problem of rising unemployment among school-leavers 
 sponsor
sponsor somebody (through something) to support somebody by paying for their training or
education
 She found a company to sponsor her through college. 
 staff
[countable, usually singular, uncountable] all the workers employed in an organization
considered as a group
 medical staff
 (British English) teaching staff
 (British English) We have 20 part-time members of staff.
 (North American English) staff members
 staff development/training
 a  staff restaurant/meeting
 (especially British English) a lawyer on the staff of the Worldwide Fund for Nature 
 study
[transitive, intransitive] study (for something) to spend time learning about a subject by
reading, going to college, etc.
 study (something)  How long have you been studying English?
 Don't disturb Jane, she's studying for her exams.
 study (something) at…  My brother studied at the Royal College of Art.
 study (something) under… a composer who studied under Nadia Boulanger (= was
taught by Nadia Boulanger)
 study to do/be something  Nina is studying to be an architect. 
 take
1 [transitive] take somebody (for something) | take something to be the teacher or leader in
a class or a religious service
 The head teacher usually takes us for French.
 Mr Perkins took the morning service.
2 [transitive] take something to study a subject at school, college, etc.
 She is planning to take a computer course.
 How many subjects are you taking this year? 
 teach
[intransitive, transitive] to give lessons to students in a school, college, university, etc.; to help
somebody learn something by giving information about it
 She teaches at our local school.
 He taught for several years before becoming a writer.
  teach something I'll be teaching history and sociology next term.
 (North American English) to teach school (= teach in a school)
 teach something to somebody He teaches English to advanced students.
 teach somebody something He teaches them English. 
 teacher
a person whose job is teaching, especially in a school
 a  history/science, etc. teacher
 primary school teachers
 There is a growing need for qualified teachers of Business English. 
 teacher training
the process of teaching or learning the skills you need to be a teacher in a school 
 term-time
the period of time when classes are held at a school, college, or university, as opposed to the
holidays/vacations
 I never went out in the evenings during term-time.
 
 test
an examination of somebody’s knowledge or ability, consisting of questions for them to
answer or activities for them to perform
 an  IQ/intelligence/aptitude test
 to take a test
 (British English) to do a test
 test (on something) a test on irregular verbs
 to pass/fail a test
 (British English) a good mark in the test
 (North American English) a good grade on the test 
 test
[transitive, intransitive] to find out how much somebody knows, or what they can do by
asking them questions or giving them activities to perform
 test somebody (on something) Children are tested on core subjects at ages 7, 11 and
14.
 test (something)  We test your English before deciding which class to put you in.
 Schools use various methods of testing. 
 tuition
tuition (in something) (formal) the act of teaching something, especially to one person or to
people in small groups
 She received private tuition in French.
 The course involves six hours of individual tuition per week.
 I studied dance for two years under her expert tuition. 
 tutor
1 a private teacher, especially one who teaches an individual student or a very small group
2 (especially British English) a teacher whose job is to pay special attention to the studies or
health, etc. of a student or a group of students
 his history tutor
 He was my personal tutor at university.
 She's in my tutor group at school.
3 (British English) a teacher, especially one who teaches adults or who has a special role in a
school or college
 a part-time adult education tutor
4 (North American English) an assistant lecturer in a college 
 tutor
1 [transitive] tutor somebody (in something) to be a tutor to an individual student or a small
group; to teach somebody, especially privately

 He tutors students in mathematics.

2 [intransitive] to work as a tutor

 Her work was divided between tutoring and research.

 Types of school

 academy
1 a secondary school in Scotland
2 a private school in the US
3 a secondary school in England which has a great deal of independence from local authority
control 
 access course
a course of education that prepares students without the usual qualifications, in order that they
can study at university or college
 A popular weekly evening class is the Access Course, which is designed for those
considering higher education.
 an access course in science and technology 
 ACT™
American College Test (an exam that some high school students take before they go to
college) 
 A level
a British exam taken in a particular subject, usually in the final year of school at the age of 18
 You need three A levels to get onto this university course.
 What A levels are you doing?
 I'm doing maths A level.
 two A level passes/two passes at A level 
 catchment area
the area from which a school takes its students, a hospital its patients, etc. 
 co-educational
(of a school or an educational system) where girls and boys are taught together
 The school has now made the decision to go fully co-educational. 
 college
[countable] (especially in names, in Britain and some other countries) a secondary school,
especially one where you must pay
 Eton College 
 community college
1 (also community school) (in Britain) a secondary school that is open to adults from the
local community as well as to its own students
2 (in the US) a college that is mainly for students from the local community and that offers
programmes that are two years long, including programmes in practical skills. 
 comprehensive
(British English) (of education) designed for students of all abilities in the same school 
 comprehensive
(also comprehensive school) (also informal comp) (in Britain) a secondary school for young
people of all levels of ability 
 crammer
a school or book that prepares people quickly for exams 
 CTC
(in the UK) City Technology College (a school in a town or city that teaches technology,
science and mathematics to young people between the ages of 11 and 18) 
 diploma
a document showing that you have completed a course of study or part of your education
 a High School diploma 
 elementary school
(in the US) a school for children between the ages of about 6 and 12 
 eleven-plus
an exam that all children used to take in Britain at the age of eleven to decide which type
of secondary school they should go to. It is still taken in a few areas. 
 GCSE
the abbreviation for ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’ (a British exam taken by
students in England and Wales and some other countries, usually around the age of 16. GCSE
can be taken in any of a range of subjects.)
 She's got 10 GCSEs.
 He's doing German at GCSE. 
 GED
(in the US and Canada) the abbreviation for ‘general equivalency diploma’ or ‘general
educational development’ (an official certificate that people who did not finish high school
can get, after taking classes and passing an examination) 
 grade point average
the average of a student’s marks/grades over a period of time in the US education system
 The law school required a minimum grade point average of 2.6 (on a 4.0 scale). 
 grade school
= elementary school 
 grammar school
1 (in Britain, especially in the past) a school for young people between the ages of 11 and 18
who are good at academic subjects2 (old-fashioned) = elementary school 
 grant-maintained
(of a school in Britain) receiving financial support from central government rather than local
government 
 high school
1 (in the US and some other countries) a school for young people between the ages of 14 and
18
2 often used in Britain in the names of schools for young people between the ages of 11 and
18
 Worthing High School 
 independent school
= private school 
 junior high school
(in the US) a school for young people between the ages of 12 and 14 
 junior school
(in Britain) a school for children between the ages of 7 and 11 
 K-12
(in the US) relating to education from kindergarten (= the class that prepares children for
school) to 12th grade 
 kindergarten
1 (especially North American English) a school or class to prepare children aged five for
school
2 (British English, Australian English, New Zealand English) = nursery school 
 lower school
a school, or the classes in a school, for younger students, usually between the ages of 11 and
14 
 magnet school
 a school in a large city that offers extra courses in some subjects in order to attract students
from other areas of the city 
 middle school
1 (in Britain) a school for children between the ages of about 9 and 13
2 (in the US) a school for children between the ages of about 11 and 14 
 nursery school
a school for children between the ages of about two and five
 She works as an assistant in a nursery school. 
 OFSTED
the Office for Standards in Education (a British government department that is responsible
for checking that standards in schools are acceptable) 
 preparatory school
1 (in Britain) a private school for children between the ages of 7 and 13
2 (in the US) a school, usually a private one, that prepares students for college 
 primary
[only before noun] (especially British English) connected with the education of children
between the ages of about five and eleven
 primary teachers 
 primary school
1 (British English) a school for children between the ages of 4 or 5 and 11
2 (old-fashioned, North American English) = elementary school 
 private school
a school that receives no money from the government and where the education of the students
is paid for by their parents 
 public school
1 (in Britain, especially in England) a private school for young people between the ages of 13
and 18, whose parents pay for their education. The students often live at the school while they
are studying.
 He was educated at (a) public school.
2 public school (in the US, Australia, Scotland and other countries) a free local school paid
for by the government 
 SAT
SAT™ BrE ˌes eɪ ˈtiː ; NAmE ˌes eɪ ˈtiː (in the US) the abbreviation for ‘Scholastic
Assessment Test’ (a test taken by high school students who want to go to a college or
university)
 to take the SAT
 I scored 1050 on the SAT.
 a SAT score 
 SCE
Scottish Certificate of Education (exams that were taken by Scottish school students at two
different levels at the ages of 16 and 17–18 until the 1990s) 
 school district
(in the US) an area that contains several schools that are governed together 
 secondary education
education for children between the ages of 11 and 18
 primary and secondary education 
 secondary modern
(in Britain until the 1970s) a school for young people between the ages of 11 and 16 who did
not go to a grammar school 
 senior high school
(in the US) a school for young people between the ages of 14 and 18 
 sixth form
the two final years at school for students between the ages of 16 and 18 who are preparing to
take A levels (= advanced level exams)
 Sue is in the sixth form now. 
 sixth-form college
 (in Britain) a school for students over the age of 16
 special education
the education of children who have physical or learning problems 

 special school
a school for children who have physical or learning problems 
 state school
1 (British English) (North American English public school) a school that is paid for by the
government and provides free education
2 (North American English) = state university 
 summer school
courses that are held in the summer at a university or college or, in the US, at a school
 tertiary college
(in Britain) a college that provides education for people aged 16 and older, but that is not a
university 
 trade school
a school where students go to learn a trade 
 upper school
a school, or the classes in a school, for older students, usually between the ages of 14 and 18 
 vocational school
(in the US) a school that teaches skills that are necessary for particular job
 Exams and assessment

 ace
ace something (informal, especially North American English) to be successful in something
 He aced all his tests.
 They watched the golfer ace the 17th hole (= get the ball into the hole using only one
shot). 
 ACT™
American College Test (an exam that some high school students take before they go to
college) 
 A level
a British exam taken in a particular subject, usually in the final year of school at the age of 18
 You need three A levels to get onto this university course.
 What A levels are you doing?
 I'm doing maths A level.
 two A level passes/two passes at A level 
 answer
something that you write or say in reply to a question in a test, an exam, an exercise, etc.; the
correct reply to a question in a test, etc.
 Write your answers on the sheet provided.
 Do you know the answer (= the right one) to question 12?
 The answers are at the back of the book.
 The sender of the first correct answer to be drawn will receive £100. 
 assess
to make a judgement about the nature or quality of somebody/something
 assess somebody/something It's difficult to assess the effects of these changes.
 to assess a patient’s needs
 Interviews allow you to assess the suitability of candidates.
 assess somebody/something as something The young men were assessed as either
safe or unsafe drivers.
 I'd assess your chances as low.
 assess whether, how, etc… The committee assesses whether a building is worth
preserving.
 We are trying to assess how well the system works. 
 assessment
[uncountable] the act of judging or forming an opinion about somebody/something
 written exams and other forms of assessment
 Objective assessment of the severity of the problem was difficult. 
 assessor
a person who judges how well somebody has done in an exam, a competition, etc.
 College lecturers acted as external assessors of the exam results. 
 candidate
(British English) a person taking an exam
 Candidates are allowed to use dictionaries in this examination.
 a candidate for the degree of MPhil 
 cheat
[intransitive] cheat (at something) to act in a dishonest way in order to gain an advantage,
especially in a game, a competition, an exam, etc.
 He cheats at cards.
  You're not allowed to look at the answers—that's cheating.
 Anyone caught cheating will be automatically disqualified from the examination. 
 cheat
(also cheater especially in North American English) [countable] a person who cheats,
especially in a game
 You little cheat!
 Are you accusing me of being a cheat?
 a plan to crack down on tax cheats 
 commit
[transitive] commit something to memory to learn something well enough to remember it
exactly
 She committed the instructions to memory. 
 coursework
work that students do during a course of study, not in exams, that is included in their final
mark/grade
 Coursework accounts for 40% of the final marks. 
 crib
(informal) written information such as answers to questions, often used dishonestly by
students in tests

 a crib sheet

 crib
[intransitive, transitive] crib (something) (from somebody) (old-fashioned) to dishonestly
copy work from another student or from a book 
 CTC
(in the UK) City Technology College (a school in a town or city that teaches technology,
science and mathematics to young people between the ages of 11 and 18) 
 diploma
a document showing that you have completed a course of study or part of your education
 a High School diploma 
 eleven-plus
an exam that all children used to take in Britain at the age of eleven to decide which type
of secondary school they should go to. It is still taken in a few areas. 
 entrant
entrant (to something) a person or an animal that enters a race or a competition; a person
that enters an exam
 A-level entrants
 a late entrant 
 exam
a formal written, spoken or practical test, especially at school or college, to see how much you
know about a subject, or what you can do 
 examination
[countable] (formal) = exam
 to sit an examination in mathematics
 successful candidates in GCSE examinations
 Applicants are selected for jobs on the results of a competitive examination. 
 examinee
 a person who is being tested to see how much they know about a subject or what they can do;
a person who is taking an exam 
 fail
[transitive, intransitive] to not pass a test or an exam; to decide that somebody/something has
not passed a test or an exam

 fail (something) He failed his driving test.

 She was disqualified after failing a drugs test.
 What will you do if you fail?
 fail somebody The examiners failed over half the candidates.
 
 flunk
1 [transitive, intransitive] flunk (something) to fail an exam, a test or a course
 I flunked math in second grade.
2 [transitive] flunk somebody to make somebody fail an exam, a test, or a course by giving
them a low mark/grade
 She's flunked 13 of the 18 students. 
 GCSE
the abbreviation for ‘General Certificate of Secondary Education’ (a British exam taken by
students in England and Wales and some other countries, usually around the age of 16. GCSE
can be taken in any of a range of subjects.)
 She's got 10 GCSEs.
 He's doing German at GCSE. 
 GED
(in the US and Canada) the abbreviation for ‘general equivalency diploma’ or ‘general
educational development’ (an official certificate that people who did not finish high school
can get, after taking classes and passing an examination) 

 grade
a mark given in an exam or for a piece of school work
 (British English) She got good grades in her exams.
 (North American English) She got good grades on her exams.
 70% of pupils got Grade C or above. 
 grade
(especially North American English) to give a mark/grade to a student or to a piece of their
written work
 grade somebody/something  I spent all weekend grading papers.
 grade somebody/something + noun The best students are graded A. 
 invigilate
(British English) (North American
English proctor) [transitive, intransitive] invigilate (something) to watch people while they
are taking an exam to make sure that they have everything they need, that they keep to the
rules, etc.
 to invigilate an exam 
 K-12
(in the US) relating to education from kindergarten (= the class that prepares children for
school) to 12th grade 
 mark
[transitive, intransitive] mark (something) (especially British English) to give marks to
students’ work
 I hate marking exam papers.
 I spend at least six hours a week marking. 
 mark
(especially British English) a number or letter that is given to show the standard of
somebody’s work or performance or is given to somebody for answering something correctly
 to get a good/poor mark in English
 to give somebody a high/low mark
 What's the pass mark (= the mark you need in order to pass)?
 I got full marks (= the highest mark possible) in the spelling test.
 (ironic) ‘You're wearing a tie!’ ‘Full marks for observation.’ 
 mark down
(British English) to reduce the mark/grade given to somebody in an exam, etc.
 She was marked down because of poor grammar. 
 marker
 
 memorize
 
 mock
 
 mock
 
 moderate
 
 moderator
 
 OFSTED
 
 oral
 
 pass
 
 practical
 
 practise
 
 reassess
 
 resit
 
 result
 
 retake
 
 retake
 
 review
  
 review
 
 revise
 
 revision
 
 rubric
 
 SAT
 
 SCE
 
 score
 
 score
 
 script
 
 set
 
 setter
 
 sit
 
 swot
 
 swot up
 
 take
 
 text
 
 weighting
 
 written