[Nightedge]

Could I simply use examination? (not an examination/the examination/examinations)

-John said that none of them had asked the format or the scope of __.

[susan53]

No. Examination is a countable noun so you would need an article. Here John is obviously talking about a specific exam so :

John said that none of them had asked about the format or the contents of the examination.

[Nightedge]

Excellent answer. Thank you.