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- Title
Drawing on repeat test takers to study test preparation practices and their links to score gains.
- Authors
Knoch, Ute; Huisman, Annemiek; Elder, Cathie; Kong, Xiaoxiao; McKenna, Angela
- Abstract
A key concern of washback research in language testing is with the value of test preparation for facilitating learning and improving test performance. Although test takers may draw on a wide range of preparation activities, the majority of research studies examining test preparation have taken place in classroom settings, leaving self-access approaches largely unexamined. The aim of the current study was to (a) explore possible links between self-access test preparation activities and improved test performance and (b) examine how repeat test takers adjust their test preparation activities from test sitting to test sitting while preparing for the Pearson Test of English (Academic). The study involved the collection and analysis of interviews from 60 recent repeat test takers. The interview data were coded for themes and sub-themes and analyzed for the kind of test preparation activities in which learners engaged, and how these changed over time. The interviews showed that the test takers were strategic in their preparation, by changing their approaches depending on their previous test results. The largest number of significant improvements was identified for speaking, where test takers engaged in a variety of strategies, some of which were construct-irrelevant. The findings are discussed in relation to test validity and washback.
- Subjects
ENGLISH language education; LANGUAGE ability testing; TEST preparation (Classroom instruction); EFFECTIVE teaching; TEST validity; PEARSON Test of English Academic; ENGLISH language examinations
- Publication
Language Testing, 2020, Vol 37, Issue 4, p550
- ISSN
0265-5322
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/0265532220927407