UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
FINAL ACHIEVEMENT/ SUMMATIVE TEST - CORRECT ANSWER This test is used
at the end of a course to see if students have achieved the objectives set out in the syllabus. An
end of year test, for example, falls into this category. A lot of information from this type of test is
often wasted because it does not feed back into the learning process.
PROGRESS TEST/ FORMATIVE TEST - CORRECT ANSWER This test is
administered during the course. The test aims to find out how well students have grasped what
has been taught on the course so far. In other words, the test content is based on the teaching
content, not on other things. As a result of this test, the teacher and the learners see how they are
progressing. They can be used to help the teacher and the learners themselves set their own
learning goals.
DIAGNOSTIC TEST - CORRECT ANSWER This test is used at the beginning of a
course to find out what the students know and what they don't know. It is more finely tuned than
a placement test and the content reflects what the students should know or will need to know at
this particular level. Based on the test results the teacher or course planner can then ensure that
the course content is relevant to the students' needs, or in other words, will teach them what they
don't already know.
PROFICIENCY TEST - CORRECT ANSWER This test focuses on what students are
capable of doing in a foreign language, regardless of the teaching programme. It is used to assess
whether a student meets the general standard. These types of tests are often set by external
bodies such as examining boards. They may be used within schools to see for example whether
students are at the required level to enter for and pass a public exam.
PLACEMENT/ ENTRY TEST - CORRECT ANSWER This test is used to find out what a
learner's level is before deciding which course or level he/she should follow. It is usually used at
the time of enrolment for obvious reasons! The content may reflect the syllabus of the school.
, CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT - CORRECT ANSWER An approach to assessment in
which students are assessed regularly throughout the programme rather than being given a single
assessment at the end.
MINI CHECK TESTS - CORRECT ANSWER They are small progress tests which focus
on particular language items or skills that the students have been learning. They can be used for
diagnostic purposes or to check learning. They can also be used on a self-access basis, with keys
available for checking; students do them when they want and record their marks. If they have
problems, they can go away, study and then do the test again later.
FORMALLY ASSESSED CLASSROOM TASKS - CORRECT ANSWER This refers to
tasks done in class which are formally assessed and the marks recorded. Thus rather than setting
up specific tests students can be assessed while they are carrying out normal classroom tasks.
You could inform the students that you are going to record marks or not.
PORTFOLIOS - CORRECT ANSWER Very useful source of information, especially at
the end of the course. SS keep their results, pieces of writing, reports, self-evaluation sheets,
attendance records, etc. It's also very good when a class has two teachers.
COUNSELLING SESSIONS - CORRECT ANSWER It's a meeting between a student or
a group of students and their teacher to discuss their work, objectives and/or results. They can be
also called APPRAISALS or TUTORIALS. They are good because the students get involved in
their own learning process and take responsibility for it.
NORM-REFERENCED TESTS - CORRECT ANSWER The aim is to assess the students
against each other and thereby determine the top percentage, and different bands within the
cohort.
CRITERION REFERENCED TESTS - CORRECT ANSWER The iam is 'to classify
people according to whether or not they are able to perform some task or set of tasks
satisfactorily'. (Hughes 2003: 21). IELTS, FCE.