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
Examples of pretest in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
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
Within 140-170 days after removal, sperm concentration levels returned to pretest levels (40 million/ml).
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2014
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Howard Blume Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 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
Within 140-170 days after removal, sperm concentration levels returned to pretest levels (40 million/ml).
—Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 18 July 2014
Cite this Entry
“Pretest.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pretest. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
: to perform a pretest
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