The Spanish word 'examen' (meaning 'examination') comes from the Latin word 'examen', which originally meant 'needle of a balance' or 'weighing'. The Latin word was formed by combining three elements: the prefix 'ex-' meaning 'out', the verb 'agere' meaning 'to drive' or 'to do', and the instrumental suffix '-men'. The combination of these elements created a word that literally suggested 'driving out' or 'weighing out', which evolved to refer to the process of testing or examining something carefully, just as one would carefully weigh items on a balance scale.

Some related Spanish words include 'exacto' (exact), which shares the same 'ex-' prefix and relates to the idea of precise measurement, and 'exigir' (to demand, require), which also contains the 'ex-' prefix and relates to the concept of testing or examining requirements.

The English word 'exam' is directly related to Spanish 'examen', and both come from the same Latin root. Other related English words include 'exact' and 'examine', which share the same Latin elements. The word 'exigent' (requiring immediate attention) is also related, sharing the same 'ex-' prefix and connection to testing or examining.