A Good Language Test Should Be:
1- Valid:
It means that it measures what its composer supposes to measure. It tests what it ought to test. E.g. the test which measures control of grammar should have no difficult lexical items.
2- Reliable:
If it is taken again by the same students under the same conditions, the score will be almost the same regarding that the time between the test and the retest is of reasonable length. If it is given twice to the same students under the same circumstances, it will produce almost the same results. In this case, it is said that the test provides consistency in measuring the items being evaluated.
3- Practical:
It is easy to conduct it, easy to score without wasting too much time or effort.
4- Comprehensive:
It covers all the items that the teachers taught and the students studied. It includes items from different areas of the material assigned for the test so as to check accurately the amount of students’ knowledge.
5- Relevant:
It measures reasonably well the achievement of the desired objectives.
6- Balanced:
It tests linguistic as well as communicative competence and it reflects the real command of the language. It tests also appropriateness and accuracy.
7- Appropriate in difficulty:
It is neither too hard nor too easy. Questions should be progressive in difficulty to reduce stress and tension.
8- Clear:
Questions and instructions should be clear. Students should know what to do exactly.
9- Authentic:
The language of the test should reflect everyday discourse.
10- Appropriate for time:
A good language test should be appropriate in length for the allotted time.
11- Objective:
If different teachers mark it and the score is the same, it is objective. The marking process should not be affected by the teacher’s personality. Questions and answers are so clear and definite that the marker would give the students the score he/she deserves.
12- Economical:
It makes the best use of the teacher’s limited time for preparing and grading and it makes the best use of the students’ assigned time for answering all items. So, we can say that oral exams in classes of +30 students are not as economical as it requires too much time and effort for teachers to conduct.
For More Explanation and Information On This Topic, Click:
- Top 5 Characteristics of a Good Language Test
- Practical Guidelines for Developing Good EFL Test Items
- How to Write Good Questions to Test Reading Skills
- 9 Key Patterns of Questions to Test the Writing Skills
You Can Also Get My eBook:
Writing Effective Test Questions: The Definitive Guide.
Thanks For Reading
Liked This Article?
Share It With Your Networks.
You can also join my email list not only to be notified of my latest ELT articles but also to get my FREE two featured teaching guides and FREE access to my Printables’ Library
Join My Email List (It’s FREE)
well written article
Awesome information.
You are good and clere on this matter
Good points but need more explanation.
good but too short
Quite good but very summarized
Very helpful especially for teachers
Please send me on my email
Reblogged this on Mariam BenHassona.
Needs more explanation
short and precise needs relevant example thnx
good points tho lacking pregnant exp..n.
good points tho lacking pregnant explanation
helpful. still more explanation is needed