Brain Dominance and Test Format: A Case of Vocabulary

This research was conducted to investigate the relationship between brain dominance and test format. This relationship was taken into consideration to see whether examinees hemispheric preferences affect their performance on different vocabulary test formats or not. The research data were collected from a sle of 53 Iranian language learners using the Style of Learning and Thinking (SOLAT) questionnaire, which is a tool that measures the inclination toward the right , integrated , and left thinking. The researchers also collected data on students performance on eighty vocabulary test items with different formats including multiple choice synonyms, multiple choice antonyms, word for word translation, and picture identification. Statistical analyses revealed that brain dominance is a factor which affects students performance when taking different vocabulary test items. Right thinking test takers outperformed integrated and left thinking test takers on the picture identification test. Left thinking test takers, on the other hand, outperformed the other respondents on multiple choice synonyms, multiple choice antonyms, and word for word translation.