Language Testing

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Language Testing

• Topic 5. Test Specifications

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5.1 Introduction

• Before we design a test, we should be
  clear about what to test and how to test. We
  should write test specifications. Test
  specifications vary according to their uses and
  should include all or most of the following The
  test purpose, Description of the test taker, Test
  level, Theoretical construct and operations,
  Description of suitable language course or
  textbook, Number of sections/papers, Time for
  each section/paper, Weighting for each
  section/paper, Target language situation,
  Text-type, Text-length, Language skills to be
  tested, Language elements to be tested, Test
  tasks and Test methods, Rubrics, Criteria for
  Marking, Descriptions of typical performance at
  each level, Description of what candidates at
  each level can do in the real world, Sample
  papers, and Samples of students performance on
  tasks.

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5.2 Test Specifications

• The purpose of the test
• placement, progress, achievement, proficiency,
  diagnostic, and aptitude.
• Testees
• age, sex, level of proficiency/stage of learning,
  first language, cultural background, country of
  origin
• Sections
• how long, how will it be divided one three-hour
  exam, three 45 minute sections

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• Target language situation
• Text types
• written and/or spoken
• Language skills
• Language elements
• Tasks
• What sort of tasks are required discrete point,
  integrative, simulated authentic?
• Items
• What is the relative weight for each item equal
  weighting, extra weighting?

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• Methods
• multiple choice, filling the blanks, matching,
  short answer question, structured writing, essay
• Rubrics
• instructions and examples
• Criteria for scoring
• How important is accuracy, appropriacy, spelling,
  length of utterance/script, etc.?

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5.3 Discussion questions

• 1. What are the major components of test
  specifications?
• 2. What are the major steps in test construction?
• 3. What are your favorite testing techniques?
  List 3 of them and give your reasons.
• Lets watch "test specifications"