TEFL Assessment and Testing in EFL

Question 1

What is the difference between 'formative' and 'summative' assessment in EFL?

Accepted Answer

Formative is ongoing assessment to inform teaching during learning; summative is end-of-term assessment to measure achievement

Answer

Formative assesses the teacher; summative assesses the student

Answer

Formative uses written tests; summative uses oral tests

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Formative is graded; summative is ungraded

Question 2

What does 'validity' mean in the context of language testing?

Accepted Answer

The test measures what it claims to measure

Answer

The test is consistent and produces similar scores if taken again

Answer

The test is fair to all cultural backgrounds

Answer

The test can be marked quickly

Question 3

What does 'reliability' mean in language assessment?

Accepted Answer

The test produces consistent results under similar conditions and across different markers

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The test measures the intended skill accurately

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The test covers all language areas equally

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The test has clear, understandable instructions

Question 4

What is a 'placement test' used for in an EFL context?

Accepted Answer

To assign students to appropriate level groups at the start of a program

Answer

To measure student progress during a course

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To certify language proficiency for employers

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To diagnose specific language weaknesses

Question 5

What is a 'diagnostic test' designed to do?

Accepted Answer

Identify specific areas of language weakness so teaching can target those gaps

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Rank students from best to worst

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Certify students at the end of a course

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Place students in level groups

Question 6

What is 'washback' (or backwash) in language testing?

Accepted Answer

The influence that a test has on the curriculum and teaching practices that prepare for it

Answer

The process of giving test results to students

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Re-taking a failed test

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Returning marked papers to students