阅卷 literally means 'to read (yuè) exam papers (juàn)' and refers specifically to the process of grading or evaluating written examinations. The character 阅 carries the sense of careful reading, reviewing, or inspecting — not just skimming — while 卷 means 'scroll' or 'exam paper', historically referring to rolled-up documents but now used for standardized tests and school exams. Together, they form a formal, professional term commonly used in educational and academic settings.

This verb is typically used in contexts involving teachers, examiners, or education authorities assessing student performance. It implies systematic evaluation according to rubrics or scoring standards, often done after an exam concludes. 阅卷 is rarely used for informal or personal review; it connotes official, time-sensitive assessment work, sometimes conducted in batches by multiple graders under strict confidentiality rules. You’ll encounter it in school announcements, education policy documents, and discussions about exam administration timelines.