the test is difficult vs the test was difficult

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "The test is difficult" is used to describe the current state of the test, while "the test was difficult" is used to describe the past state of the test.

Last updated: March 23, 2024 • 2489 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe the current state of the test.

"the test is difficult"

This phrase is used to describe the current difficulty level of the test.

Examples:

The test is difficult, but with enough practice, you can improve your score.
I find the test difficult to complete within the time limit.

Show examples from the web [+]

If a test substance is difficult to pipette, the test substance can be pressure-loaded into a positive displacement pipette to aid in dosing.
It is difficult to test a real installation on-site in an examination.
The test may be difficult to conduct with substances of minimal solubility in water (8).
Note: guidance for testing substances with physical chemical properties that made them difficult to test is provided in (4).
If you have received here, the test may not be difficult.
Wednesday's test will be difficult.
Democracy is once again going through a difficult test.
Mr President-in-Office of the Council, the European Union has passed the acid test during difficult times under your Presidency.
Before our very eyes, the Ukrainian people are facing one of their most difficult tests, a test of their civil responsibility.
But trust me, I know how difficult this test can be.
It is therefore difficult to test these against the agreed budgetary framework.
Finally, it would be difficult to test the influence of a substance on the child's organism without involving children in the testing.
However, we can now see that stress tests will be difficult to implement even within the EU, although everyone understands the importance of and need for such tests.
At the same time, the political elite are facing a difficult test: whether or not to succumb to the lure of populism that always offers easy solutions.
The statistics are quite clear: the global crisis has struck the labour market, putting female employment, which shrunk by a further 0.7 percentage points in 2008, to a difficult test.
He has to pass the test first, and I know that is difficult.
Only for poorly soluble substances (Sw < 10-4 g l-1), an appropriate solubilising agent may be needed when it is difficult to dissolve the test substance.
"Difficult test" awaits Bolivia say election observers
The other difficult test lying ahead of you is the solution to the Middle East problem, bearing in mind that the roadmap requires a highly impartial attitude, and therefore European intervention must not be directed to just one side.
The first is that there have rarely been such difficult tests of the European Union's external image as the successive crises in the Balkans, and that is still the case.

Alternatives:

The test seems difficult
The test appears difficult
The test proves difficult
The test remains difficult
The test stays difficult

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe the past difficulty level of the test.

"the test was difficult"

This phrase is used to describe the difficulty level of the test in the past.

Examples:

Yesterday, the test was difficult, but today it seems easier.
When I took the test last year, it was difficult for me.

Show examples from the web [+]

The test may be difficult to conduct with substances of minimal solubility in water (8).
If you have received here, the test may not be difficult.
If a test substance is difficult to pipette, the test substance can be pressure-loaded into a positive displacement pipette to aid in dosing.
Wednesday's test will be difficult.
Democracy is once again going through a difficult test.
Mr President-in-Office of the Council, the European Union has passed the acid test during difficult times under your Presidency.
Before our very eyes, the Ukrainian people are facing one of their most difficult tests, a test of their civil responsibility.
But trust me, I know how difficult this test can be.
It is difficult to test a real installation on-site in an examination.
It is therefore difficult to test these against the agreed budgetary framework.
Finally, it would be difficult to test the influence of a substance on the child's organism without involving children in the testing.
Note: guidance for testing substances with physical chemical properties that made them difficult to test is provided in (4).
However, we can now see that stress tests will be difficult to implement even within the EU, although everyone understands the importance of and need for such tests.
At the same time, the political elite are facing a difficult test: whether or not to succumb to the lure of populism that always offers easy solutions.
The statistics are quite clear: the global crisis has struck the labour market, putting female employment, which shrunk by a further 0.7 percentage points in 2008, to a difficult test.
"Difficult test" awaits Bolivia say election observers
The other difficult test lying ahead of you is the solution to the Middle East problem, bearing in mind that the roadmap requires a highly impartial attitude, and therefore European intervention must not be directed to just one side.
The first is that there have rarely been such difficult tests of the European Union's external image as the successive crises in the Balkans, and that is still the case.
This is the case during the year, so we have always had a large influx of very good and experienced people, and the recruitment tests are very difficult.
2.6 The Commission does not appear to have a set of instruments enabling it to assess adequately the quality of government expenditure in the Member States. It is therefore difficult to test these against the agreed budgetary framework.

Alternatives:

The test used to be difficult
The test had been difficult
The test proved difficult
The test had seemed difficult
The test had appeared difficult

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

the test is difficult vs the test was difficult