試験

The word "shiken" carries a formal and official connotation. It typically refers to structured evaluations conducted by institutions, such as entrance exams, certification tests, or rigorous industrial trials. It implies a high-stakes environment where the result often determines a qualification, a grade, or a pass/fail status.

In daily conversation, the loanword "tesuto" (テスト) is frequently used instead of "shiken," especially for smaller, less formal assessments like classroom quizzes or short tests. While "shiken" sounds official and weighty, "tesuto" feels lighter and more routine.

It is important to distinguish "shiken" from "kensa" (検査). While both can be translated as "test" or "examination" in English, "kensa" is used for inspections, medical check-ups, or quality control checks to find defects or abnormalities (e.g., a blood test or a safety inspection). In contrast, "shiken" focuses on measuring ability, knowledge, or the performance limits of a system.