‘测验’ (cè yàn) is a noun meaning ‘test’ or ‘examination’—a formal assessment of knowledge, skill, or understanding. The first character 测 (cè) means ‘to measure’ or ‘to test’, and the second character 验 (yàn) means ‘to verify’ or ‘to examine’. Together, they convey the idea of checking or evaluating something through structured questions or tasks. It’s commonly used in educational contexts—for example, classroom quizzes, pop quizzes, or short subject-specific assessments.

Unlike the broader term 考试 (kǎo shì), which often refers to high-stakes, official exams (like final exams or national entrance tests), 测验 suggests something shorter, more frequent, and less formal—often administered by teachers to monitor learning progress. It can also appear in non-academic settings, such as language proficiency checks or workplace skill assessments, though it remains most strongly associated with school life and daily learning routines.