final examination; main exam
Refers to the official, final, or main examination, as opposed to a mock or preliminary test. Common in academic and certification contexts.
The final examination will be held next Friday.
Based on the mock exam results, I prepare for the main exam.
試験 is a general term for any exam or test; 本試験 specifies the main or final one.
模擬試験 is a practice run, while 本試験 is the real, official exam that actually counts.
Compound of 本 (ほん, 'main', 'real') and 試験 (しけん, 'examination').