Assignment Task

Your task is to evaluate a test or examination. The main aim of this task is to help you become familiar with the considerations and decisions involved in designing a test/exam/assessment instrument for NESB learners and whether these decisions have contributed to the validity, reliability or practicality of the instrument. You will draw on the knowledge developed throughout the subject (and your readings) to help you critically analyze and evaluate the test/examination/assessment instrument. Your essay will need to demonstrate a familiarity with the literature on testing in TESOL and the current issues facing the assessment procedure.

1. Write a critical evaluation of one of the following formal or semi-formal assessment procedures in TESOL. 

• A formal examination (e.g. TOEFL, TWE, IELTS, OPI, others)
• A mainstream exam (e.g. Basic Skills Test, final examination, others)
• An institutionally-developed assessment procedure (e.g. a placement test, diagnostic test, exit test, others)
• A teacher-made test for second language learners which is used in your institution

2. You will need to:

a) Describe the nature of the assessment procedure (what context is the test used? Who are the targeted test takers? etc. Be as specific as possible as this will help with the evaluation)

b) Use a set of criteria for evaluating the test

c) Analyse the procedure in light of the criteria

d) Report on its effectiveness or otherwise

e) Include the chosen assessment procedure as an appendix