resit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal (primarily educational/administrative)
Quick answer
What does “resit” mean?
To take an examination again after failing it or not achieving a required grade.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To take an examination again after failing it or not achieving a required grade.
The act of retaking an exam or the exam itself that is being retaken; can also refer to retaking a course or module in educational contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'resit' is the standard term for retaking an exam. In American English, 'retake' is used almost exclusively; 'resit' is very rare and may not be understood.
Connotations
In UK contexts, it carries a neutral-to-formal administrative connotation. In the US, using 'resit' might sound like a Britishism or be misinterpreted.
Frequency
High frequency in UK educational discourse; very low to zero frequency in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “resit” in a Sentence
[Subject] resits [Object: exam/test][Subject] has to resit [Object]The [resit] is in [Time]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If you fail the module, you will need to resit the exam in August.
- She resat her driving test three times before passing.
American English
- He had to retake the bar exam. (US equivalent)
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The resit fee is fifty pounds.
- He attended the resit session.
American English
- The retake exam is scheduled for Friday. (US equivalent)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might be used in the context of professional certification exams.
Academic
Primary context. Used by students, teachers, and administrators regarding exams and assessments.
Everyday
Common in UK conversations among students and parents about exam results.
Technical
Used in educational policy, university regulations, and exam board documentation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resit”
- Using 'resit' as a noun in the US (use 'retake').
- Misspelling as 're-sit' (hyphen is sometimes used but less common).
- Confusing with 'resist'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'resit' is very rare in American English. The standard term is 'retake' (verb and noun).
Yes, in British English, 'resit' is commonly used as a noun (e.g., 'I have a resit next week').
The past tense and past participle is 'resat' (e.g., 'He resat the exam last year').
The standard form is without a hyphen ('resit'), though the hyphenated form 're-sit' is sometimes seen, especially in older texts.
To take an examination again after failing it or not achieving a required grade.
Resit is usually formal (primarily educational/administrative) in register.
Resit: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No second chance without a resit”
- “The resit is your last shot”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RE-do the SIT-ting for an exam. You SIT for an exam again = RE-SIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
EDUCATION IS A JOURNEY (a failed exam is a roadblock; a resit is a detour or second route).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'resit' the standard term?