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pretest

pretest

2 3.5
A test done before the main event to find problems and see what people know
  • noun
  • /ˈpriˌtɛst/
translation icon : prueba previa
  • The teacher administered a pretest to assess the students' existing knowledge before the main assessment.
  • pretest and posttest
  • pretest scores
  • group pretest

Examples

  • Now, did Garth give you a copy of our pretest diet?

  • We have a spelling pretest tomorrow.

  • And I passed the pretest and then I passed the first Test and the second test.

  • And I passed the pretest, and then I passed the first Test and the second test.

  • The mean for the pretest score was 61.9%, while the mean for the posttest was 75.4%.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Students must complete a pretest to identify areas they need to improve upon prior to the final exam.

  • Before starting the course, we took a pretest to measure our understanding of the subject.

Synonyms

test
vspretest
1.0

An activity to check how well something works

is specifically done before a main event to check issues or prior knowledge
trial
vspretest
291 3.4

A test to see how well something works

is carried out specifically before a main event to find problems or measure knowledge
trial run
vspretest
13 3.2

A short test to see if something works well before real use

is also used to measure prior knowledge rather than only checking if it works
precheck
vspretest
1 3.8

A check you do before an event to find problems

is aimed at checking knowledge or problems rather than just inspecting
dummy run
vspretest
1 5.5

A practice test to find and fix problems before the real event

is a focused check for issues or prior knowledge rather than a practice run
pretesting
vspretest
  • Specialized
4.1

A small test of a survey or product before full use to find problems and make it better

is a single check before the main event rather than a small pilot
preexperiment
vspretest
  • Specialized
6.0

An activity done before an experiment to test methods or equipment

is a general preliminary test used across contexts rather than only scientific
prestudy
vspretest
  • Specialized
6.0

A small test of methods done before the main research project

is a focused practical check before the event rather than broader research
to presurvey
vspretest
6.2

To ask people questions or check a place before a main project

is a short test to check issues or knowledge rather than a full survey
prescreen
vspretest
4.8

A short check before a main selection or release

is aimed at diagnosing issues or measuring knowledge not at selecting candidates
to prescreening
vspretest
3.9

To check people or things to see if they meet rules before a final decision

is a practical check for problems or knowledge rather than filtering for eligibility

Antonyms

25 2.7

A test at the end of a school term that checks what you learned

posttest
  • Specialized
1 4.3

A test you take after teaching to see what you learned

How Serious

pretest
2 3.5
to check
1.0

Surface Forms

pretest singular
pretests plural

Morphology

pretest = test (transparent) = pre + test

The meaning is a straightforward instance of a test that happens before a main event or instruction.

Etymology

Pretest comes from the prefix pre- meaning 'before' and the everyday word test, so a pretest is a 'before test' used to find problems or to see what people already know.