Types of Tasks
A type of task in which students read a text with words missing and try to work out the missing words. The missing words are removed regularly from the text, e.g. every seventh word. Used for testing reading ability or general language use. This is different to a gap-fill activity which can focus on testing a specific language point.
Cloze Test
A type of testing which is different from a final examination. Some or all of the work that students do during a course is part of the final mark.
Continuous assessment
Tests are often at the end of term or end of the year and test the main points of what has been taught in that time.
Achievement test
Tests that compare an examinee’s performance to that of other examinees.
Norm-referenced tests
Refers to how good a test is.
Validity
A type of task in which students are asked to pair related things together, for example, match two halves of a sentence, or a word with a picture.
Matching Task
When a teacher judges students’ work through a test and then gives a formal report or grade to students, to say how successful or unsuccessful they have been.
Formal assessment, evaluation
Used to identify problems that students have with language.
Diagnostic test
Each examinee’s performance is compared to a pre-defined set of criteria or a standard. The goal with these tests is to determine whether or not the candidate has the demonstrated mastery of a certain skill or set of skills. These results are usually “pass” or “fail” and are used in making decisions about job entry, certification, or licensure.
Criterion-referenced tests
How good a test actually is in testing what it says it will test.
Content Validity
A type of task in which students are given a question and have three or four possible answers. They choose the correct answer.
Multiple-choice Question
When students give feedback on each other’s language.
Peer assessment, evaluation
Marked without using the examiner’s opinion, e.g. true/false questions, multiple-choice questions. There is a clear right answer.
Objective test
Works on the assumption that language can be reduced to several components to be assessed.
Discrete point testing
The results accurately indicate whether or not the test taker will be able to perform a specified "real life" task, in terms of the level of language competence required.
Predictive Validity
A type of task in which students read or listen to a text and answer questions using their own words.
Open Comprehension Questions
When a teacher gives students feedback on their progress during a course, rather than at the end of it so that they can learn from the feedback.
Formative assessment, evaluation
Used at the beginning of a course to identify a student’s level of language and find the best class for them.
Placement test
States that language is indivisible. Two common assessments include cloze test and dictation.
Integrative Language Testing Methods
A test that is consistent and dependable.
Reliability
A type of task in which students are given parts of a sentence and are asked to complete the sentence, using specific target language.
Sentence Completion
When a teacher decides whether a student is doing well or not, or whether a course is successful or not, but without a test or an official report or grade.
Informal assessment, evaluation
Used to see how good students are at language, or use of the language. The contents are not chosen according to what has been taught, but according to what is needed for a particular purpose, e.g. English for hotel receptionists, English for studying at university. Cambridge ESOL
Proficiency test
It involves taking an authentic reading passage and removing words from it.
Cloze tests
The effects the test has on instruction in terms of how students prepare for the test.
Washback