A trial period at the start of a job during which an employee's performance is evaluated before their position is made permanent.
“During your six-month probation period, your supervisor will assess your performance monthly.”
“The manager confirmed that the employee had successfully completed her probation.”
Correspondence about new hires in Reading Part 1 often mentions a 'probation' period, along with its length, such as three months, and its conditions. Look for details about when probation starts or ends, as these are common factual questions in this task.
Synonyms: trial period, probationary period