Lesson Three

Kinds of Test and Testing

Contents

Kinds of Tests: Based on Purposes Classroom use External examination

Kinds of Testing: Three Contrasting Paris of Test Concepts

Current Issues in Classroom Testing: Computer-Based Testing

Norm-Referenced Test vs. Criterion-Referenced Test

Differences between NRT & CRT

Classroom Use

To find out students’ difficulties: Diagnostic tests

To ascertain students’ progress: Progress tests

To assess students’ mastery of the course content and their potential for the next grade level: Achievement tests

Diagnostic Test

To identify both the learner’s strengths and weaknesses.

To help to understand the student and provide necessary help or avoid repetition.

Can be combined with progress tests. May sometimes be indistinguishable from placemen

t tests E.g. http://language.miis.edu/lgp/diagnostic-tests.ht

ml http://www.pattisoncollege.com/programs/ESL/plac

ement_test.htm

Progress Test

To find out how well the learners are doing with the course content/material

As part of an ongoing assessment procedure during the course of instruction

Must be very closely tied to the course content

E.g., tests, quizzes E.g.

http://barronseduc.com/0764179055.html

Achievement Test (Attainment Test)

Directly related to lang. courses; to determine how successful individual students or courses have been in achieving objectives (also Brown 48; Bailey 39)

Test content: based on the course content, syllabus, textbooks and course objectives.

Can be further divided into: Final achievement test: final examination Progress achievement test: midterm

examination or quizzes

External Examination

To select people: Screening/admissions tests

To assign students to classes at different levels: Placement tests

To find out about language ability: Proficiency tests

To find out about potential talent or capacity for learning: Aptitude tests

Screening/Admissions Test

To provide info. about whether a candidate is likely to succeed in a particular program (Bailey 38)

A proficiency test is sometimes used as an admissions test. E.g., TOEFL all MBA program applicants are required to take

the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) which is administered throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, U.S.A.

Placement Test

To correctly place a student into an appropriate class/course or level.

Group students according to their ability. The Successful placement test – constructed

for particular situation. Oxford University

Language Centre - http://www.lang.ox.ac.uk/tests/english_placement.html#top

Proficiency Test Definition of proficiency: (Bailey 37; Brown 44)

Test on general overall language ability: not focused on one particular course.

Almost always summative and norm-referenced.

Language proficiency test: TOEFL, CPT To see if the test taker has sufficient

command of the language. Regardless of any previous training. E.g. http://cpt.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/eng/index.asp

Aptitude Test

To determine a learner’s potential talent or capacity for learning languages

Does not test one’s skill in a particular language—rather it is intended to assess a person’s ability to learn any language

Oxford Language Aptitude test http://www.rhul.ac.uk/Classics/CUCD/test.html

Modern Language Aptitude test (MLAT) http://www.utpjournals.com/product/cmlr/582/

Modern-1.html

Three Contrasting Pairs of Testing Concepts

Direct vs. Indirect Testing Discrete-Point vs. Integrative Testi

ng Subjective vs. Objective Testing

Direct vs. Indirect Testing

Direct Testing Requiring testees to perform precisely the s

kill which we wish to measure; straight forward testing of a particular ability (e.g., using a composition test to measure the test taker’s writing ability).

Indirect Testing Testing one ability indirectly (e.g. testing a

person’s writing ability by using an error identification test).

Direct vs. Indirect Testing

Direct Testing – attractions Provided the clear testing The assessment and interpretation of

students’ performance is straightforward A help backwash effect.

Subjective vs. Objective

Based on the SCORING method of a test Objective

Answers are decided and set prior to test taking; no human judgment required

e.g., multiple-choice questions Subjective

Human judgment involved e.g., composition tests

Discrete-Point vs. Integrative Testing Discrete-Point Testing

Testing only one element at a time, item by item. Almost all the discrete-point tests are also indire

ct tests. e.g., multiple-choice test on a grammatical point

Integrative Testing Testing several fields/skills at the same time; req

uiring testees to combine many language elements in the completion of a task (and tend to be a direct test)

e.g., cloze, dictation

Computer-Based Testing Computer-based or web-based tests

The test-taker performs responses on a computer.

Fixed, closed-ended responses.

Computer-adaptive test A set of questions are based on test takers’

performance to meet the test specification. The computer is programmed to find questions

of appropriate difficulty for test-takers. E.g. TOEFL or ACT’ ESL

The Advantages of Computerized Testing

It simplifies the ESL testing process. The computer routes students to appropriate levels based on t

heir test responses. Beginning students are not required to sit through questions for which they have no background, and advanced students are not forced to answer many items that are too easy.

It's always available. Tests can be administered in group or individual settings with

a proctor and are available whenever students are ready to test.

It's very user friendly. The tests are untimed, helping to relieve the stress and fatigue th

at may trouble students who are testing in a second language or who are computer novices. Most students can complete all three tests in about 50 to 60 minutes. Institutions also have the option of setting the length of the tests, which helps control the amount of time students spend testing.

Each test offers easy-to-understand instructions about the mouse, keyboard, and test question format.

Exercise Find out one particular test for the following list of

tests. Explain how it is administered and used.1. Direct testing2. Discrete testing3. Proficiency test4. Subjective testing5. Achievement test6. Integrative testing7. Placement test8. Admission test9. Computer-adaptive test10. Indirect test