Cram for a test Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkɹæm/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈtɛst

KRAM fur uh TEST

UK

kɹˈæm/ /fˈɔː/ /æɪ/ /tˈɛst

kRAM faw uh TEST

Definition

To study a lot of material in a short period just before an exam, usually because you did not prepare earlier.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal and sometimes slightly negative. Often implies lack of ongoing study. Collocates: 'cram all night', 'cram for finals'. Not the same as 'study hard', which suggests ongoing effort.

• Spanish: empollar para un examen
• Portuguese (BR): estudar de última hora para uma prova
• Portuguese (PT): estudar à última da hora para um teste
• Chinese (Simplified): 临时抱佛脚（考试）
• Chinese (Traditional): 臨時抱佛腳（考試）
• Hindi: परीक्षा के लिए रटना
• Arabic: الحفظ السريع للامتحان
• Bengali: পরীক্ষার জন্য গাদাগাদি পড়া - পরীক্ষার জন্য তাড়াহুড়া করে পড়া
• Russian: зубрить к экзамену - спешно готовиться к экзамену
• Japanese: テストのために詰め込み勉強をする
• Vietnamese: học nhồi nhét cho kỳ thi - học cấp tốc cho kỳ thi
• Korean: 시험 벼락치기하다
• Turkish: sınav öncesi son dakikada çalışmak
• Urdu: امتحان کے لیے رٹا لگانا - امتحان کے لیے جلدی جلدی تیار کرنا
• Indonesian: belajar secara kebut untuk ujian - belajar mendadak untuk ujian

Example Sentences

I have to cram for a test tonight.

basic

He always crams for a test instead of studying every day.

basic

She doesn't like to cram for a test.

basic

I spent all night cramming for my test, and I'm exhausted now.

natural

If you cram for a test, you might not remember the information later.

natural

He waited until the last minute to cram for a test—classic Tom!

natural