Psychology in Testing: Constructional and Conceptual Discrepancy in Language Tests

19198

This study investigates deficiencies in foreign language tests that stem from the discrepancy between test writers’ assumptions and the test takers’ approach to test items with a qualitative perspective. English language tests administered to elementary school students were analyzed. The analysis revealed that there are five types of common deficiencies. The deficiencies stem from the test items’ requiring cognitive skills, general knowledge and higher developmental potential instead of linguistic abilities. Visual aids provided in the test items are not always useful for test takers and some test items require explicit grammatical knowledge which is not suggested by current teaching models.

193

Foreign language testing , Constructional and conceptual discrepancy , Test item deficiencies , Validity , Reliability

Gazi University Journal Of Gazi Educational Faculty

210

Gazi University Journal Of Gazi Educational Faculty