diff --git a/common.mk b/common.mk
index 0a0615c067..5feca8ade0 100644
--- a/common.mk
+++ b/common.mk
@@ -1394,8 +1394,8 @@ help: PHONY
 	"  runruby:             runs test.rb by ruby you just built" \
 	"  gdb:                 runs test.rb by miniruby under gdb" \
 	"  gdb-ruby:            runs test.rb by ruby under gdb" \
-	"  check:               equals make test test-all" \
-	"  exam:                equals make check test-spec" \
+	"  check:               equals make test test-all test-spec" \
+	"  exam:                equals make check" \
 	"  test:                ruby core tests" \
 	"  test-all:            all ruby tests [TESTOPTS=-j4 TESTS=<test files>]" \
 	"  test-spec:           run the Ruby spec suite" \