Why test learners?

Initial testing is often a diagnostic test to help formulate a syllabus and

Explain the differences between course plan or a placement test to put learners into the right class for
initial, formative and summative their level.
evaluation. Formative testing is used to enhance and adapt the learning programme.
Summative tests seek to measure how well a set of learning objectives
has been achieved at the end of a period of instruction.

Informal evaluation may include some kind of document but there's

unlikely to be a scoring system as such and evaluation might include, for
Explain the difference between example, simply observing the learner(s), listening to them and
informal and formal evaluation responding, giving them checklists, peer- and self-evaluation and a
or assessment, with an example number of other procedures.
of each. Formal evaluation usually implies some kind of written document
(although it may be an oral test) and some kind of scoring system. It
could be a written test, an interview, an on-line test, a piece of
homework or a number of other things.

Objective assessment is characterised by tasks in which there is only one

Explain the difference between right answer. It may be a multiple-choice test, a True/False test or any
objective vs. subjective other kind of test where the result can readily be seen and is not subject
assessment with an example of to the marker's judgement.
each. Subjective tests are those in which questions are open ended and the
marker's judgement is important, for example, marking an essay and
judging task completion or general impression on the reader.

Criterion-referenced tests are those in which the result is measured

Explain the difference between against a performance scale (e.g., by grades from A to E or by a score out
criterion-referencing and norm- of 100).
referencing with an example of Norm-referencing is a way of measuring students against each other to
what is meant. discover, for example, which learners in a group should be separated off
into a higher-level class, e.g., the top six scorers are moved to another
class.

Explain, with an example what Aptitude tests test a learner’s general ability to learn a language rather
the following test types are: than the ability to use a particular language.
aptitude tests An example is The Modern Language Aptitude Test (US Army)
achievement tests Achievement tests measure students' performance at the end of a
diagnostic tests period of study to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme.
proficiency tests Examples are: an end-of-course or end-of-week test etc. or even a mid-
lesson test
Diagnostic tests are designed to discover learners' strengths and
 weaknesses for planning purposes.
An example is a test set early in a programme to plan the syllabus
Proficiency tests test a learner’s ability in the language regardless of any
course they may have taken.
Examples are public examinations such as FCE etc. but also placement
tests.

Alternate response
A True / False test or any test with one wrong and one right response.
E.g.:
Mary came late: True/False
John came before / after Mary (delete the wrong word)
Multiple-choice
This is sometimes called a fixed-response test. The correct answer must
be chosen from three, four or more alternatives.
E.g.:
Mary came to the party with:
A: her brother
Explain what is meant by these B: her mother
test item formats C: alone
alternate response D: her father
multiple-choice Structured response
structured response The subject is given a structure in which to form the answer.
free response E.g.:
hybrid structured and free Expand this to make a correct sentence:
response. Mary / party / late / left / early / tired
Give an example of each. Free response
In these tests, no guidance is given other than the rubric and the
subjects are free to write or say what they like.
E.g.:
Write 200 words about a well-known actor in your country.
Hybrid structured and free response
The subject is given a list of things to include in the response.
E.g.:
Write 200 words about a well-known actor in your country.
Include where and when she/he was born, the first successful role,
where she/he now lives and a photograph of the person saying where
and when it was taken. If he/she is dead, say where and when she/he
died.

Explain the difference between Direct testing is testing a particular skill by getting the student to
direct and indirect testing with perform that skill.
an example of testing writing. E.g.:
Testing whether someone can write a discursive essay by asking them to
 write one
Indirect testing is testing the abilities which underlie the skills we are
interested in.
E.g.:
Testing whether someone can write a discursive essay by testing their
ability to use contrastive cohesive devices, modality, hedging etc.

Discrete-point testing is a format with many items requiring short

answers which each target a defined area.
E.g.:
Explain the difference between
Tests with a range of with multiple-choice items focused on vocabulary,
discrete-point and integrative
grammar, functional language etc.
testing with an example.
Integrative testing combines many language elements to do the task.
E.g.:
Written tasks in which marks are given for various elements: accuracy,
range, communicative success etc.

Explain the difference between Reliability refers to whether candidates would get the same result
reliability and validity. wherever and whenever the test is taken.
Validity refers to whether a test actually targets what we think it does.

Why does subjective marking

The more judgement markers have to use, the greater the possibility of
lower reliability?
disparity between markers.

What is face validity? Test takers need to trust that a test is fair and will result in an accurate
assessment of their ability. The test must look like a real test.

What is construct validity? Test designers need to be able to state precisely what a test is assessing
and how it is doing it.