Preparatory vs. Preparation — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 26, 2024
Preparatory refers to designed or intended to prepare or make ready, often used in educational contexts, while preparation is the action or process of making something ready or being prepared for use or consideration.
Difference Between Preparatory and Preparation
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Preparatory is an adjective that describes something as serving to prepare. It's commonly used in contexts like preparatory schools, which are institutions designed to prepare students for further education, particularly for entrance into colleges or universities. These settings emphasize foundational education, skills development, and academic excellence as a means of preparation. On the other hand, preparation is a noun referring to the act or process of preparing, planning, or getting something ready. This could involve a wide range of activities, from cooking and studying to strategic planning in business or personal endeavors.
While preparatory often implies a structured or formal approach to readiness, especially in academic or professional settings, preparation encompasses a broader spectrum of activities and can be informal or formal, personal or public. For instance, a student may engage in preparation for an exam, which could include reviewing notes, participating in study groups, or completing practice problems, whereas attending a preparatory course specifically designed for that exam emphasizes a more structured form of readiness.
In education, preparatory settings are not only about academic readiness but also about character building, discipline, and instilling values that contribute to overall success in future educational pursuits. In contrast, preparation can be seen in various contexts outside of education, such as in preparing a meal, where the focus is on gathering ingredients, following recipes, and cooking.
Preparation involves a dynamic and often proactive approach to handling upcoming challenges or opportunities, emphasizing the individual's or group's actions to be ready for what lies ahead. Conversely, something described as preparatory often provides the tools, knowledge, or environment necessary for effective preparation, acting as a catalyst or facilitator for readiness.
Both terms deal with the concept of getting ready, preparatory is more about providing the means or setting for preparation, whereas preparation is the actual process of getting ready, regardless of the context. This distinction highlights the complementary relationship between the environment or conditions conducive to readiness (preparatory) and the active process of becoming ready (preparation).
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Nature
Adjective: Describes something intended to prepare or make ready.
Noun: The act or process of making ready.
Usage Context
Often used in educational and formal settings.
Broad usage across various contexts, including personal and professional.
Focus
On providing the tools, knowledge, or setting for readiness.
On the actions taken to be ready.
Examples
Preparatory courses, schools, and exercises.
Studying, cooking, strategic planning.
Outcome
Prepares individuals or things for a subsequent phase or challenge.
The state of being ready for a specific purpose or event.
Application
Primarily in long-term, structured environments.
Applies to immediate, short-term, and long-term situations.
Key Characteristics
Structured, foundational, geared towards future readiness.
Dynamic, involves planning and execution, context-specific.
Relation to Readiness
Facilitates readiness by providing necessary conditions.
The active pursuit of achieving readiness.
Compare with Definitions
Preparatory
Related to preparation for further education.
The preparatory school focuses on college readiness.
Preparation
Activities undertaken to achieve readiness.
Her preparation for the exam paid off with high scores.
Preparatory
Providing groundwork for future challenges.
The seminar is preparatory to the upcoming international conference.
Preparation
Planning or arranging beforehand.
Preparation for the wedding took almost a year.
Preparatory
Intended to prepare or make ready.
She enrolled in a preparatory course for the medical school entrance exam.
Preparation
The state of having been made ready.
The team's preparation was evident in their flawless execution.
Preparatory
Aimed at building foundational skills.
Preparatory exercises in math help students with complex problems.
Preparation
The act of making ready or being prepared.
His preparation for the marathon included long runs and diet adjustments.
Preparatory
Serving as an introduction or preliminary step.
The workshop serves as a preparatory step for the new project.
Preparation
The process involved in getting something ready.
The preparation of her presentation involved extensive research.
Preparatory
Serving to make ready or prepare; introductory.
Preparation
The act or process of preparing
The preparation of dinner for six people.
Preparatory
Relating to or engaged in study or training that serves as preparation for advanced education
A preparatory course.
Preparatory students.
Preparation
The state of having been made ready beforehand; readiness.
Preparatory
In preparation for. Used with to
Thoroughly cleaned the house preparatory to our departure.
Preparation
Often preparations An action done to prepare for something, especially for an event or undertaking
Preparations for the opening of the new school.
Preparatory
Of or pertaining to preparation, having the purpose of making something or someone ready, preparative.
I will conduct some preparatory research before choosing the new restaurant's location.
Preparation
A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.
Preparatory
Preparing the way for anything by previous measures of adaptation; antecedent and adapted to what follows; introductory; preparative; as, a preparatory school; a preparatory condition.
Preparation
The anticipation of a dissonant tone by means of its introduction as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
Preparatory
Preceding and preparing for something;
Preparatory steps
Preparation
The dissonant tone so anticipated.
Preparation
(uncountable) The act of preparing or getting ready.
I went over my notes in preparation for the exam.
Preparation
(uncountable) The state of being prepared; readiness.
Preparation
(countable) That which is prepared.
Preparation
A substance, especially a remedy, that is prepared.
The traditional remedy is a bitter preparation made from steamed herbs.
Preparation
(anatomy) A part of any animal body preserved as a specimen.
Preparation
(music) Any of the objects placed between the strings of a prepared piano.
Preparation
(Judaism) The day before the Sabbath or other Jewish feast-day.
Preparation
Devotional exercises introducing an office.
Preparation
(music) The previous introduction, as an integral part of a chord, of a note continued into a succeeding dissonance.
Preparation
The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.
Preparation
The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for war.
Preparation
That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a preparatory act or measure.
I will show what preparations there were in nature for this dissolution.
Preparation
That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination. Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. (c) Something prepared for use in cookery.
I wish the chemists had been more sparing who magnify their preparations.
In the preparations of cookery, the most volatile parts of vegetables are destroyed.
Preparation
An army or fleet.
Preparation
The holding over of a note from one chord into the next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See Suspension.
Preparation
Accomplishment; qualification.
Preparation
The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose;
Preparations for the ceremony had begun
Preparation
A substance prepared according to a formula
Preparation
The cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening;
His planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties
Preparation
The state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action);
Putting them in readiness
Their preparation was more than adequate
Preparation
(music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord;
The resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another disonance
Preparation
Activity leading to skilled behavior
Preparation
Preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)
Preparation
The act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat;
Cooking can be a great art
People are needed who have experience in cookery
He left the preparation of meals to his wife
Common Curiosities
What is involved in preparation?
Preparation involves the actions and processes taken to get something ready, which can include planning, arranging, studying, and organizing activities.
How do preparatory schools differ from regular schools?
Preparatory schools focus on preparing students for higher education or specific exams, often with a rigorous curriculum and an emphasis on academic excellence.
Can preparation apply to non-academic contexts?
Yes, preparation applies broadly to any context where readiness is required, such as meal prep, event planning, or professional projects.
Why is preparation important?
Preparation is crucial for success and efficiency, helping to anticipate challenges, optimize outcomes, and reduce stress in various endeavors.
What role does a preparatory phase play in learning?
The preparatory phase lays the foundation for deeper understanding, skill development, and academic success, serving as a critical step in the learning process.
What are some common preparatory activities?
Common preparatory activities include reviewing foundational materials, attending workshops, and engaging in exercises designed to enhance readiness.
What does preparatory mean?
Preparatory describes something intended to make ready or prepare, often used in educational contexts to denote readiness for further academic pursuits.
How can one improve their preparation process?
Improving preparation involves organized planning, practice, seeking resources and guidance, and learning from past experiences to enhance readiness.
How can businesses use preparatory strategies?
Businesses use preparatory strategies in training employees, planning projects, and developing products to ensure readiness and mitigate risks.
Is there a difference between preparation for a test and taking a preparatory course?
Yes, preparation for a test involves individual study and practice, while taking a preparatory course provides structured learning and guidance from instructors.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Transfer vs. Shuttle
Next Comparison
Rhomb vs. RhombusAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
