Презентация “Standardized” testing of English: description of the tests: aims and objectives, variations, structure, application and scoring
LECTURE I “Standardized” testing of English: description of the tests: aims and objectives, variations, structure, application and scoring Plan: I. Ability/Achievement Tests
II. Admission Tests
III. Language Proficiency Tests
What is a standardized test?
A standardized test is a test administered and scored in a standard manner. 1 Ability/ Achievement tests
1.1 IQ tests
1.2 Public schools
1.3 Other tests
2 Admissions tests
2.1 Secondary School
2.2 Undergraduate
2.3 Graduate/Professional Schools
3 Language proficiency
4 Psychological tests
5 Professional certification tests
6 Armed Forces 1. Ability/ Achievement tests They are used to evaluate a student's or worker's understanding, comprehension, knowledge and/or capability in a particular area. They are used in academics, professions and many other areas.
A general distinction is usually made between tests of ability/ aptitude (intelligence tests) versus tests of achievement (academic proficiency).
1. Ability/ Achievement tests 1.1 IQ tests IQ Tests and Intelligence
IQ tests are ideal for measuring differences in abilities for tasks that are analytical in nature. Intelligence is a broad concept and includes skills or behaviors that cover wide variety of tasks. Therefore your IQ score should be regarded as an evaluation of the specific skills that are measured and reported by a particular test.
2. Admission Tests 2.2 Undergraduate (SAT and ACT) The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) is the most common college admissions test for undergraduate students. The purpose of the SAT is to determine how well you’ll do in your first year of college. The SAT is designed to measure critical thinking and problem solving skills that are essential for success in college. 2. Admission Tests 2.2 Undergraduate (SAT) It covers three subject areas: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Students have 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the exam.
Each section is worth 800 points, so the highest possible score is 2400. The exam is offered seven times a year: January, March, May June, October, November and December.
2. Admission Tests 2.2 Undergraduate (ACT) ACT (American College Testing)is not as widely accepted as the SAT. It is a national test which measures a students understanding of English, math, reading, and science. Instead of measuring a student’s aptitude (how well they can be expected to do) like the SAT, the ACT measures what a student has already learned. 2. Admission Tests 2.2 Undergraduate (ACT) The test consists of 214 questions and an optional writing prompt.
The test is completed over a four hour and fifteen minute period, which includes two separate breaks. Students who choose to take the writing section of the exam will stay for an extra hour. 2. Admission Tests 2.2 Undergraduate (ACT) The ACT tests students on subjects they are learning in school, compared to the SAT which tests critical thinking.
There are four multiple choice subtests covering mathematics, science, English and reading. An optional writing test which measures planning and writing skills through a short essay. 3. Language Proficiency Tests IELTS - International English Language Testing System
TOEIC - Test of English for International Communication
TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
TSE - Test of Spoken English
TWE - Test of Written English
What is TOEFL? T- Test
O- of
E- English
F- Foreign
L- Language
Different formats of TOEFL The official TOEFL examination is currently administered at test sites around the world in three different formats: the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT), the Computer-Based TOEFL (CBT), and the Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT)
The language proficiency skills are tested on every format, but they are tested in
different ways.
What is the Computer-Based TOEFL program? The CBT is a computer-adaptive test that is offered as an official standard for language proficiency worldwide. The CBT is also called the Official TOEFL.
The Computer-Based TOEFL has four sections: Listening, Structure, Writing, and Reading. The total score is based on a scale of 0-300.
What is the Paper-Based TOEFL? The PBT is a pencil and paper test that is offered for two purposes. One purpose of the PBT is for placement and progress evaluations. Colleges or other institutions use the PBT to test their students.
The other purpose of the PBT is to supplement the official Computer-Based TOEFL in areas where computer-based testing is not possible.
The Paper-Based TOEFL has three sections: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading. What is the Internet-Based TOEFL program? The Internet-Based Test (iBT), launched in 2005, directly measures a test taker’s communicative abilities in four basic skills- Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. TOEFL ibt includes no descrete-point testing. That means it doesn not comprise Grammar Section; your grammar skills are measured within Speaking and Writing Sections. IELTS (the International English Language Testing System) It is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication.
IELTS is required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
http://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/ - an official site of IELTS
Who is it for? The international English language testing system (IELTS) is the world’s leading English language proficiency test, taken by over 1.7 million people each year.IELTS assesses all of your English skills - reading, writing, listening and speaking, and is designed to reflect how you will use English at study, at work, and at play, in your new life abroad. Who is it for? IELTS is recognised by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognised by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.
More than 1.4 million people a year take the test.
What is the IELTS test like? The test has four sections: Listening - 4 sections, 40 questions, 30 minutes Speaking – an interview, 15 minutesReading - different for Academic or General Training - 3 sections, 40 questions, 60 minutesWriting - different for Academic or General Training - pieces of writing, 60 minutes TOEIC- The Test of English for International Communication http://www.examenglish.com/TOEIC/index.php- an official site
TOEIC test questions are based on real-life work settings in an international environment (meetings, travel, telephone conversations, etc).
Who is it for?
It is used by organizations to determine whether an employee is suitable for a particular task.
What is the TOEIC test like?
There are two separate parts to the TOEIC test. You can do one or both parts.
The Listening and Reading test is a paper and pencil test that takes 2.5 hours and is taken at a test centre.
The Speaking and Writing test is an online test that is taken in a test centre and takes 90 minutes.
TSE - Test of Spoken English The Test of Spoken English (TSE) measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to communicate orally in English. The test is approximately 20 minutes long and includes nine questions.
Your TSE result indicates how your oral language ability might affect your ability to communicate successfully in an academic or professional environment. TSE - Test of Spoken English The scores also are used for selecting and certifying health professionals, such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and veterinarians. The Test of Written English (TWE) is part of the TOEFL which examines the "American English" language skills. It tests the written skills. Questions to be discussed: 1. What is a standardized test?
2. What are six main groups that standardized tests are divided into?
3. What are achievement tests?
4. What are admission tests?
5. What are language proficiency tests?
6. What is TOEFL,IELTS, SAT?