DELTA: Assessment and Testing Study
Guide
Integrative testing - Answer tests a wider knowledge of language ability in certain skills. eg.
essay, dictogloss, oral test
Norm-referenced testing - Answer aims to test students against each other and thereby
determin the top percentage and different bands within the cohort.
eg. who can move up to the next level
who can enter University
Scorer Reliability - Answer idea that different markers or scorers would give the same marks to
the same tests (difficult within writing and speaking - subjectivity).
need clear guidelines
standardisation
double marking
Test Reliability - Answer Reliable if the same students, with the same amount of knowledge,
taking the same test at a different time would get more or less the same results.
eg. external exams - vital that there is not a large discrepancy in the level of difficulty in each
examining session.
Test Practicality - Answer How easy it is to administer the test. (materials, time to mark test
etc.)
Backwash - Answer The effect that the test has on the teaching programme LEADING UP to it.
Can be positive or negative.
+ More motivations, does homework...
- learning only for the test, lacking functional communicative language
Spin-Off - Answer The effect a test may have on the learner, teaching, and classroom activities
that FOLLOW the test.
Discrete Item Test - Answer A test that tests if a learner can recognise or produce a specific
language item.
eg. gap fills, multiple choice questions
Guide
Integrative testing - Answer tests a wider knowledge of language ability in certain skills. eg.
essay, dictogloss, oral test
Norm-referenced testing - Answer aims to test students against each other and thereby
determin the top percentage and different bands within the cohort.
eg. who can move up to the next level
who can enter University
Scorer Reliability - Answer idea that different markers or scorers would give the same marks to
the same tests (difficult within writing and speaking - subjectivity).
need clear guidelines
standardisation
double marking
Test Reliability - Answer Reliable if the same students, with the same amount of knowledge,
taking the same test at a different time would get more or less the same results.
eg. external exams - vital that there is not a large discrepancy in the level of difficulty in each
examining session.
Test Practicality - Answer How easy it is to administer the test. (materials, time to mark test
etc.)
Backwash - Answer The effect that the test has on the teaching programme LEADING UP to it.
Can be positive or negative.
+ More motivations, does homework...
- learning only for the test, lacking functional communicative language
Spin-Off - Answer The effect a test may have on the learner, teaching, and classroom activities
that FOLLOW the test.
Discrete Item Test - Answer A test that tests if a learner can recognise or produce a specific
language item.
eg. gap fills, multiple choice questions
