pretest

noun

pre·​test ˈprē-ˌtest 

: a preliminary test: such as

a

: a test of the effectiveness or safety of a product prior to its sale

b

: a test to evaluate the preparedness of students for further studies

pretest

(ˌ)prē-ˈtest 

transitive verb

Examples of pretest in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Students who read the essay without a pretest were given additional time to study, or else the students’ attention was focused on the critical passages in one of several ways: by italicizing the critical section or by making the key term that would be tested bold, or by a combination of strategies. —Bridgid Finn, Scientific American, 1 Mar. 2010

After families submit an initial pretest for students, the district manages the weekly testing through mobile clinics that move from campus to campus. —Howard Blume Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2021

The pretest — available at sites throughout the district — is mandatory and will be followed by weekly follow-up testing at campuses. —Howard Blume Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2021

Every unit starts with a pretest, so teachers don’t waste time. —Eva-Marie Ayala, Dallas News, 17 Mar. 2021

There is no fee for either class, but there is a charge to take the G.E.D. pretest and test. —Ramona Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2019

In preparation for the event, the entire school took a spelling pretest in all English classes. —Charlene Paparizos, cleveland.com, 15 Feb. 2018

Blackmon actually touts the speed at which kids can fly through Odysseyware coursework: Each unit starts with a pretest, and schools can decide what percent of questions their students need to answer correctly in order to pass. —Zoë Kirsch, Slate Magazine, 24 May 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pretest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

pretest

noun

pre·​test (ˈ)prē-ˈtest 

: a test to find out if students are prepared for further studies

Medical Definition

pretest

1 of 2 noun

pre·​test ˈprē-ˌtest 

: a preliminary test

especially : a test of the effectiveness or safety of a product (as a drug) prior to its sale

pretest

2 of 2 transitive verb

pre·​test ˌprē-ˈtest 

: to subject to a pretest

pretested drugs

intransitive verb

: to perform a pretest