Synopses & Reviews
This book documents a major study comparing the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to investigate similarities in test content, candidature and use. While both tests were designed to measure many of the same abilities, they represent radically different approaches to language test development, reflecting deeper differences between educational measurement traditions in the US and UK. Key features of the volume include: - an introduction by Professor Bernard Spolsky that provides the historical and ideological background to the comparability study - a comprehensive description of the methodological approaches adopted in the study, including the data collection instruments used - detailed discussion of the analyses relating to test reliability, content and score equivalence, and efffect of test preparation - a summary of implication and recommendations for future test development and research. the thorough investigation of the fundamental characteristics and operational utility of two of the most widely used English tests for foreign students makes this study a valuable contribution to language testing research. As such, it will be of considerable interest to langauge testing specialists and examination boards, as well as to academic researchers and graduate students in the field of langauge assessment more generally.
Synopsis
A major study comparing two of the most widely used English tests for foreign students.
Synopsis
This book documents a major study comparing the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to investigate similarities in test content, candidature and use. While both tests were designed to measure many of the same abilities, they represent radically different approaches to language test development, reflecting deeper differences between educational measurement traditions in the US and UK. The thorough investigation of the fundamental characteristics and operational utility of two of the most widely used English tests for foreign students makes this study a valuable contribution to language testing research. As such, it will be of considerable interest to langauge testing specialists and examination boards, as well as to academic researchers and graduate students in the field of langauge assessment more generally.
Synopsis
This study compares two English tests for foreign students, the Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), revealing radically different approaches to language test development and differences in educational measurement traditions in the US and UK.
Table of Contents
1 Overview of the study; 2 Study procedures and sample characteristics; 3 Reliability of the two test batteries; 4 Comparability of abilities measured; 5 Effect of test preparation on test performance; 6 Interchangeability of FCE and ETS test scores; 7 Test content analysis; 8 Implications and recommendations.