noun
preliminary examination; preliminary exam
A test taken before the main examination, often as a qualifying step.
司法試験の予備試験に合格した。
I passed the preliminary examination for the bar exam.
予備試験を突破しないと本試験を受けられない。
You cannot take the main exam unless you pass the preliminary exam.
本試験 is the main or final examination, while 予備試験 is the preliminary or qualifying exam.
Compound of 予備 (preparatory) and 試験 (examination).