What is a departmental exam?

A departmental exam is an examination given by a specific department within an institution, usually a college or university. It assesses students' understanding of the material covered within that department's courses. Unlike a standardized test (like the SAT or GRE), the content and format are determined by the department itself and may vary significantly from year to year, or even between different courses within the same department. It often focuses on a broader range of subjects within the department's curriculum than a single course exam.