Not in writing, as an exam

Editorially verified for the May 5, 2026

2 Down

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NYT Crossword

This clue's Tuesday, May 05, 2026 appearance

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Across

  1. 1Tried-and-true choice, informally
  2. 5It's perfect for some musicians
  3. 10Motorcyclist's invitation
  4. 15Asia's shrinking ___ Sea
  5. 16Ruckus
  6. 17Where Boise is
  7. 18It's a piece of cake
  8. 20Computer geeks
  9. 21Source of some South American wool
  10. 22Alaska politico Palin
  11. 24___-Ball
  12. 25Alternative to a Word doc
  13. 27It's child's play
  14. 29Glassblower, e.g.
  15. 33One of three statistical averages
  16. 34M.L.B. stadium demolished in 2009
  17. 35Ones always blowing off steam?
  18. 39Altar promise
  19. 42It's a no-brainer
  20. 45Starchy tuber
  21. 462016 Ariana Grande love song
  22. 47Drug buster
  23. 48Heavy, spiked club
  24. 50Bared one's teeth, say
  25. 52It's a breeze
  26. 57___-fi
  27. 58Sudden or impulsive, as a decision
  28. 59Lipstick blunder
  29. 61Intermittently offered fast-food pork sandwich
  30. 65Oscars host, e.g.
  31. 67It's a walk in the park
  32. 69Abandon prematurely, as a mission
  33. 70Piano exercise
  34. 71Fencing blade
  35. 72"OMG, same!"
  36. 73About 50.7% of all Americans
  37. 74Like typical communicators in sign language

Down

  1. 1Effrontery
  2. 2Not in writing, as an exam
  3. 3Magician's "Look what I did!"
  4. 4International competition in math, science and other disciplines
  5. 5Greek letter that looks like an "O" superimposed with an "I"
  6. 6Charged particles
  7. 7Roman robes
  8. 8French sweetheart
  9. 9Prohibited in Islam
  10. 10Chart-topper
  11. 11Texas setting for 2004's "Friday Night Lights"
  12. 12Mule or burro
  13. 13"Fancy seeing you here!"
  14. 14They may be counted when taking attendance
  15. 19Bell-bottom jeans and pet rocks, in the 1970s
  16. 23Undeniable successes
  17. 26Media misinformation
  18. 28Loch ___ monster
  19. 29Like a campfire by morning, typically
  20. 30Flightless bird from South America
  21. 31Figure in a school pep rally
  22. 32Empty ___ (home after the kids go off to college)
  23. 36Chinese general on a menu
  24. 37"___ will be done"
  25. 38English facilities
  26. 40"Don't you ___!"
  27. 41How much 1990s music was issued
  28. 43Pet pests
  29. 44Having added nutrients
  30. 49Obey, with "to"
  31. 51Apex
  32. 52Pay for at a restaurant, say
  33. 53Title role for Sylvester Stallone
  34. 54"This is my first day on the job"
  35. 55"Groovy"
  36. 56Unit of information
  37. 60Like checking a dating app while you're on a date
  38. 62Fully matured
  39. 63Swedish furniture supplier
  40. 64Complaint, informally
  41. 66Arrivals in the 2016 thriller "Arrival," in brief
  42. 68___ Faire (historical event)

The answer to “Not in writing, as an exam” in the New York Times crossword is ORAL — a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on May 5, 2026, a Tuesday puzzle, at 2-Down. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Not in writing, as an exam” answer

ORAL (4 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is ORAL.

Why the answer is ORAL

ORAL is the 4-letter solution that fits "Not in writing, as an exam" in the NYT Crossword crossword on May 5, 2026 (2-Down). Use the letter tiles above if you'd rather reveal it one letter at a time.

What does ORAL mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of ORAL is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(adjective)

  • spoken rather than written; verbal
  • relating to the mouth

When else has “Not in writing, as an exam” appeared?

New York Times reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

May 5, 2026 (most recent) → ORAL. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Not in writing, as an exam”?

The answer is ORAL, a 4-letter word. It most recently appeared in the New York Times crossword on May 5, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Not in writing, as an exam”?

4 letters: ORAL.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the New York Times crossword on May 5, 2026 (a Tuesday puzzle), at 2-Down.

Can “Not in writing, as an exam” have a different answer?

Yes — New York Times sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's NYT Crossword answers?

The full grid for May 5, 2026 is on the NYT Crossword answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

New York Times Crossword is published by The New York Times; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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