bǔkǎo: 补考 - Makeup Exam, Retake Exam

• Keywords: 补考, bǔkǎo, Chinese makeup exam, retake a test in Chinese, what is bukao, fail a test China, Chinese school system, HSK 4 vocabulary, supplementary exam, second chance.
• Summary: In Chinese, 补考 (bǔkǎo) refers to a makeup exam or a retake exam. It is the formal opportunity given to a student who has failed a test or course to pass it. Far from a casual do-over, the `补考` is a critical part of the Chinese education system, representing a high-pressure second chance to avoid failing a subject entirely (`挂科`) and having to repeat the course (`重修`). Understanding `补考` offers insight into the academic pressures and values in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǔkǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun / Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A makeup examination for someone who has previously failed.
• In a Nutshell: `补考` is the specific term for a second-chance exam you take *only after* failing the first one. It can be used as a noun (“the makeup exam”) or a verb (“to take a makeup exam”). The feeling associated with it is often a mix of relief (for the second chance) and anxiety (from the pressure to pass and the stigma of having failed initially).

• 补 (bǔ): This character means “to mend,” “to patch,” “to repair,” or “to supplement.” Imagine patching a hole in your clothes (`补衣服 - bǔ yīfu`) or making up for a mistake. It's about filling a deficiency.
• 考 (kǎo): This character means “to test” or “to examine.” It's the core character in the word for exam, `考试 (kǎoshì)`.
• Together, 补 (bǔ) + 考 (kǎo) literally means “to mend an exam” or a “supplementary exam.” It perfectly captures the concept of an exam designed to patch the failure of the original one.

The concept of a `补考` is deeply ingrained in the Chinese education system, which is known for its rigor and emphasis on standardized testing. Failing a subject, known colloquially as `挂科 (guàkē)`, can have serious consequences, affecting scholarships, graduation, and even future job prospects. The `补考` serves as a formal, institutionalized safety net. However, it's not the same as the often more flexible “retake” or “extra credit” opportunities in some Western schools.

• Pressure vs. Opportunity: In American culture, retaking a test might be seen as a tool for improving mastery of a subject, sometimes even available to students who already passed but want a better grade. A `补考`, in contrast, is exclusively for those who have failed. It carries the weight of a final chance. The pressure is immense because failing the `补考` typically means you must `重修 (chóngxiū)`, or retake the entire course, which costs time, money, and “face” (`面子 - miànzi`).
• A Formal Process: You don't just ask a teacher for a `补考`. It's a scheduled, formal event, often held at a specific time for all students who failed a particular course. There's an application process, and the results are officially recorded. This reflects the structured and less individualistic nature of the Chinese academic environment compared to some of its Western counterparts. The `补考` is a testament to the value placed on perseverance, but also a reminder of the high stakes of academic performance in China.

`补考` is a common term heard in any academic setting, from high school to university, and even in professional certifications.

• In School and University: This is the most common context. Students will discuss `补考` dates, who needs to take one, and the difficulty of the exam. A conversation might be: “我数学挂科了，得准备补考。(Wǒ shùxué guàkē le, děi zhǔnbèi bǔkǎo.)” - “I failed math, I have to prepare for the makeup exam.”
• For Certifications: The term extends beyond school. For example, if you fail your written driver's license test, the retake is also called a `补考`.
• Connotation: The term is neutral in its definition but carries a slightly negative or stressful connotation in practice. Nobody is *happy* to be taking a `补考`; it's a solution to a problem (failing). Announcing you have to `补考` is admitting you failed the first time.

• Example 1:
  • 我这次期末考试没及格，下周必须去补考。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhè cì qīmò kǎoshì méi jígé, xià zhōu bìxū qù bǔkǎo.
  • English: I didn't pass the final exam this time, I have to go take the makeup exam next week.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and direct use of `补考` as a verb phrase (“to go take a makeup exam”). `期末考试 (qīmò kǎoshì)` means “final exam.”
• Example 2:
  • 补考的通知出来了吗？我不知道是什么时候。
  • Pinyin: Bǔkǎo de tōngzhī chūlái le ma? Wǒ bù zhīdào shì shénme shíhou.
  • English: Has the announcement for the makeup exam come out? I don't know when it is.
  • Analysis: Here, `补考` is used as a noun. The speaker is anxiously waiting for information about the exam.
• Example 3:
  • 你要是这次补考再不过，就得重修了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yàoshi zhè cì bǔkǎo zài bù guò, jiù děi chóngxiū le.
  • English: If you fail this makeup exam, you will have to retake the course.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly shows the consequences of failing a `补考`. `重修 (chóngxiū)` is the next, more severe, step.
• Example 4:
  • 为了准备补考，他整个周末都在图书馆里。
  • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi bǔkǎo, tā zhěnggè zhōumò dōu zài túshūguǎn lǐ.
  • English: In order to prepare for the makeup exam, he spent the entire weekend in the library.
  • Analysis: This highlights the seriousness and effort students put into preparing for a `补考`.
• Example 5:
  • 老师说补考的题目会比期末考简单一点。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī shuō bǔkǎo de tímù huì bǐ qīmòkǎo jiǎndān yīdiǎn.
  • English: The teacher said the questions on the makeup exam will be a little easier than the final exam.
  • Analysis: This shows a common hope among students. `题目 (tímù)` means “questions” or “topics” on a test.
• Example 6:
  • 别担心，补考是给你第二次机会。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, bǔkǎo shì gěi nǐ dì-èr cì jīhuì.
  • English: Don't worry, the makeup exam is to give you a second chance.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames `补考` in a more positive light, emphasizing the “opportunity” aspect.
• Example 7:
  • 我需要去办公室申请补考资格吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào qù bàngōngshì shēnqǐng bǔkǎo zīgé ma?
  • English: Do I need to go to the office to apply for eligibility for the makeup exam?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the formal, procedural nature of the `补考` process. `申请 (shēnqǐng)` means “to apply for.”
• Example 8:
  • 我的驾照理论考试挂了，下个月去补考。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de jiàzhào lǐlùn kǎoshì guà le, xià gè yuè qù bǔkǎo.
  • English: I failed my driver's license theory test, I'll go for a retake next month.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use outside of a typical school context. `驾照 (jiàzhào)` is a driver's license.
• Example 9:
  • 补考的成绩最高只能算及格。
  • Pinyin: Bǔkǎo de chéngjì zuìgāo zhǐ néng suàn jígé.
  • English: The highest grade you can get from a makeup exam only counts as a pass.
  • Analysis: This highlights a very common policy in Chinese universities. Even if you score 95% on the `补考`, your official transcript might just show “Pass” or be capped at 60%, the minimum passing score. `成绩 (chéngjì)` means grade/score.
• Example 10:
  • 他看起来压力很大，因为他有好几门课要补考。
  • Pinyin: Tā kànqǐlái yālì hěn dà, yīnwèi tā yǒu hǎojǐ mén kè yào bǔkǎo.
  • English: He looks very stressed because he has to take makeup exams for several subjects.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the anxiety associated with facing multiple makeup exams. `好几门课 (hǎo jǐ mén kè)` means “several subjects.”

• Not for Improving a Grade: The biggest mistake a learner can make is to think `补考` can be used to improve a passing grade. If you got a 70% and want a 90%, you cannot `补考`. It is exclusively for turning a fail into a pass.
• Not a Simple “Retake”: Do not confuse `补考` with an informal “retake” a friendly teacher might offer in a Western context. A `补考` is an official, scheduled procedure with formal consequences. You cannot simply ask for one because you had a bad day.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • Wrong: 我考了80分，但是我想补考来得到90分。(Wǒ kǎo le 80 fēn, dànshì wǒ xiǎng bǔkǎo lái dédào 90 fēn.) → “I got an 80, but I want to retake the exam to get a 90.”
  • Reason: This is wrong because 80 is a passing grade. `补考` is not an option. You would need to use a different phrasing, like “老师，我能重考一次提高分数吗？(Lǎoshī, wǒ néng chóngkǎo yīcì tígāo fēnshù ma?)” - “Teacher, can I re-test once to improve my score?”, though this request would be highly unusual and likely rejected in a Chinese university context.

• 挂科 (guàkē) - (Slang) To fail a subject. This is the direct cause for needing a `补考`.
• 重修 (chóngxiū) - To retake a course. This is the consequence of failing both the original exam and the `补考`.
• 及格 (jígé) - To pass (an exam). This is the goal of the `补考`. The direct antonym is `不及格 (bù jígé)`.
• 考试 (kǎoshì) - Exam, test. The general term. `补考` is a specific type of `考试`.
• 分数 (fēnshù) - Score, mark, grade. The numerical result of the `补考`.
• 成绩 (chéngjì) - Grades, results, achievement. The overall academic record, which a `补考` can save.
• 学分 (xuéfēn) - Academic credit. Passing a `补考` allows you to secure the `学分` for a course.