Examination vs. Evaluation — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 17, 2023
Examination assesses specific knowledge or skills through tests or questions, while evaluation is a broader judgment of value or effectiveness based on multiple factors.

Difference Between Examination and Evaluation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Examination typically refers to a structured process or tool used to test a person's knowledge or abilities in a specific subject or area. Evaluation, on the other hand, is an all-encompassing process of judging or determining the significance, worth, or quality of something.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
In essence, examination is a subset of evaluation. While examination often aims to measure what we know or can do at a particular moment, evaluation seeks to provide a more holistic view, considering a range of factors and attributes that might not be immediately evident through a single test or quiz.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
It's crucial to understand that while all examinations can be a form of evaluation, not all evaluations are examinations.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
Both examination and evaluation have their roles in academic and professional settings. An examination provides a snapshot of one's current proficiency, often under controlled conditions, making it easier to standardize and compare results across a cohort. Evaluation, however, can encompass more qualitative aspects, like how a student approaches challenges or how they apply what they've learned in real-world contexts.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Definitions
Examination➦
A methodical inquiry into a subject or situation. The detective's examination of the scene revealed some hidden clues.

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Aug 17, 2023
Evaluation➦
The act of judging or determining the significance, worth, or quality of something. His performance received a positive evaluation from the judges.

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Aug 17, 2023
Examination➦
The act of inspecting or scrutinizing. The art critic's examination of the painting lasted for hours.

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Aug 17, 2023
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Evaluation➦
A method of reflection to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of a process. The project's post-completion evaluation revealed some areas of potential improvement.

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Aug 17, 2023
Examination➦
A formal test of a person's knowledge or proficiency. Anna was nervous about her final examination in chemistry.

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Aug 17, 2023
Evaluation➦
(Mathematics) To calculate the numerical value of; express numerically.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
The act of examining or the state of being examined
The examination of the evidence.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
A systematic determination of a subject's merit, worth, and significance. The annual evaluation helps employees understand their strengths and areas of improvement.

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Aug 17, 2023
Examination➦
A physical inspection, especially by a doctor. The doctor's examination confirmed that he was in good health.

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Aug 17, 2023
Evaluation➦
The process of interpreting, appraising, and arriving at a judgment. The teacher's evaluation of the essays took longer than expected.

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Aug 17, 2023
Examination➦
A legal proceeding to determine facts. The examination of the witness provided new insights into the case.

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Aug 17, 2023
Evaluation➦
Evaluation is a systematic determination of a subject's merit, worth and significance, using criteria governed by a set of standards. It can assist an organization, program, design, project or any other intervention or initiative to assess any aim, realisable concept/proposal, or any alternative, to help in decision-making; or to ascertain the degree of achievement or value in regard to the aim and objectives and results of any such action that has been completed.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
The making of a judgement about the amount, number, or value of something; assessment
An initial evaluation of the programme
The evaluation of each method

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
To ascertain or fix the value or amount of
Evaluate the damage from the flood.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
To determine the importance, effectiveness, or worth of; assess
Evaluate teacher performance.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
Particularly, an inspection by a medical professional to establish the extent and nature of any sickness or injury.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
An assessment, such as an annual personnel performance review used as the basis for a salary increase or bonus, or a summary of a particular situation.
The result of the semestral evaluation will go towards your final score.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
(education) A formal test involving answering written or oral questions under a time constraint and usually without access to textbooks; typically, a large, written test administered to high school and college students covering course material studied in a semester.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
(mathematics) A completion of a mathematical operation; a valuation.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
Interrogation, particularly by a lawyer in court or during discovery.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
The act of examining, or state of being examined; a careful search, investigation, or inquiry; scrutiny by study or experiment.

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
A process prescribed or assigned for testing qualification; as, the examination of a student, or of a candidate for admission to the bar or the ministry.
He neglected the studies, . . . stood low at the examinations.

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
An appraisal of the value of something;
He set a high valuation on friendship

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May 22, 2020
Examination➦
A set of questions or exercises evaluating skill or knowledge;
When the test was stolen the professor had to make a new set of questions

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May 22, 2020
Evaluation➦
A report that provides an opinion or judgment. The real estate agent provided an evaluation of the property's value.

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Aug 17, 2023
Examination➦
The act of giving students or candidates a test (as by questions) to determine what they know or have learned

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May 22, 2020
FAQs
What is the difference between evaluation and testing?
Evaluation is a broad judgment of value or effectiveness considering various factors, while testing is a specific method, often an examination, used to measure knowledge or ability.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
What is the difference between assessment and evaluation and examination?
Assessment measures abilities, skills, or knowledge in a specific area; examination is a formalized test or inquiry into a subject or proficiency; while evaluation is a holistic judgment of value, quality, or effectiveness based on multiple factors.

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Aug 17, 2023
What is known as evaluation?
Evaluation is known as the process of judging or determining the value, quality, or effectiveness of something based on various criteria.

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Aug 17, 2023
What is the main difference between assessment and evaluation?
Assessment focuses on measuring specific abilities or knowledge, while evaluation is a broader judgment of overall value or quality.

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Aug 17, 2023
What is the example of evaluation?
An example of evaluation is a manager reviewing an employee's yearly performance, considering aspects like task completion, teamwork, and overall contribution to the company.

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Aug 17, 2023
What is the meaning of evaluation in education?
In education, evaluation refers to the process of judging or determining the significance, worth, or quality of a student's learning, often considering various factors such as performance, effort, and progress.

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Aug 17, 2023
What is the best definition of examination?
Examination is a structured process or tool designed to test an individual's knowledge or abilities in a specific subject or area.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
What is a method of an examination?
A method of examination refers to the specific way or approach used to test someone's knowledge or skills, such as written tests, oral interviews, practical tasks, or computer-based quizzes.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
What is the concept of evaluation?
The concept of evaluation involves a systematic process of assessing and judging the quality, value, or effectiveness of something, often based on set criteria and feedback.

Tayyaba Rehman
Aug 17, 2023
Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform.
Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.