(こうとう)(しけん)

こうとうしけん
noun
oral examination; viva voce
1. oral examination; oral test; viva voce
An examination conducted verbally rather than in writing. The examinee answers questions spoken by the examiner. Common in academic settings such as graduate school defenses and professional licensing.
口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)()ける。
To take an oral examination.
筆記(ひっき)試験(しけん)(あと)口頭(こうとう)���験(しけん)がある。
There is an oral exam after the written exam.
大学院(だいがくいん)入試(にゅうし)では、口頭(こ��とう)試験(しけん)研究(けんきゅう)計画(けいかく)について説明(せつめい)しなければならない。
In the graduate school entrance exam, you have to explain your research plan in the oral examination.

An examination where questions are asked and answered verbally. Distinguished from 筆記(ひっき)試験(しけん) (written examination). Also sometimes called 面接(めんせつ)試験(しけん) when it resembles an interview format.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 口頭(こうと��)試験(しけん)()ける: to take an oral exam
  • 口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)合格(ごうかく)する: to pass an oral exam
  • 口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)(かん): oral examiner
  • 口頭(こうとう)試問(しもん): oral questioning (slightly more formal variant)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 筆記(ひっき)試験(しけん): written examination — answers given in writing
  • 面��(めんせつ): interview — broader term; may assess personality and attitude, not just knowledge
  • 口頭(こうとう)発表(はっぴょう): oral presentation — a one-way presentation rather than a question-and-answer format

CONTEXT:
Common in graduate school admissions, thesis defenses, professional licensing exams (medical, legal), and language proficiency tests.