口 頭(こうとう)試 験(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)を受(う)ける。

To take an oral examination.

筆記(ひっき)試験(しけん)の後(あと)に口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)がある。

There is an oral exam after the written exam.

大学院(だいがくいん)の入試(にゅうし)では、口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)で研究(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(こうとう)試験(しけん)を受(う)ける: to take an oral exam
口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)に合格(ごうかく)する: to pass an oral exam
口頭(こうとう)試験(しけん)官(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
面接(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

Usage

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

Related Words

Compare: 筆記試験(ひっきしけん) (written examination)

Compare: 面接(めんせつ) (interview)

Compare: 口頭(こうとう)発表(はっぴょう) (oral presentation)

general

Added 2026.4.5 13:02 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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