diff --git a/src/scorers/util.ts b/src/scorers/util.ts
index 8f8aa26..4a82776 100644
--- a/src/scorers/util.ts
+++ b/src/scorers/util.ts
@@ -28,10 +28,15 @@ export function result(
   };
 }
 
-/** Normalize text for lenient comparisons (trim + collapse whitespace). */
+/** Normalize text for lenient comparisons.
+ * When `trim` is true (default): strip ends and collapse internal whitespace.
+ * When `trim` is false: leave whitespace untouched (only case folding may apply).
+ */
 export function normalize(text: string, opts: { caseSensitive?: boolean; trim?: boolean } = {}): string {
   let out = text;
-  if (opts.trim !== false) out = out.trim();
+  if (opts.trim !== false) {
+    out = out.trim().replace(/\s+/g, " ");
+  }
   if (!opts.caseSensitive) out = out.toLowerCase();
-  return out.replace(/\s+/g, " ");
+  return out;
 }
diff --git a/tests/scorers.test.ts b/tests/scorers.test.ts
index b53c6a2..4ed04c3 100644
--- a/tests/scorers.test.ts
+++ b/tests/scorers.test.ts
@@ -170,3 +170,14 @@ describe("rubric", () => {
     expect(r.passed).toBe(true);
   });
 });
+
+describe("exact-match trim:false preserves internal whitespace", () => {
+  it("matches when internal spaces are identical", async () => {
+    const r = await run(exactMatchScorer, { type: "exact-match", expected: "a  b", trim: false }, ctx("a  b"));
+    expect(r.passed).toBe(true);
+  });
+  it("fails when internal whitespace differs", async () => {
+    const r = await run(exactMatchScorer, { type: "exact-match", expected: "a  b", trim: false }, ctx("a b"));
+    expect(r.passed).toBe(false);
+  });
+});