This study introduces the first Arabic Vocabulary Levels Test (Arabic-VLT), created for foreign learners of Arabic. We present compelling evidence to substantiate its validity and reliability. The Arabic-VLT was developed according to five levels, beginning with the most frequently used words (Level 1) to the least frequently used ones (Level 5),…

Background: Chronotype refers to individuals' preference for morning or evening activities. Its two dimensions (morningness and eveningness) are related to a number of academic outcomes. Aims: The main goal of the study was to investigate the incremental validity of chronotype as a predictor of academic achievement after controlling for a number…

Standardized reading tests and associated issues involved in the teaching of reading skills are discussed, with illustrative examples of reading tests commonly used in Australia. The nature of standardized reading tests is analyzed, and the circumstances under which such tests should be used are outlined. Interpretation of scores from standardized…

Teacher morale in Singapore is explored by means of a questionnaire administered to 415 teachers in 10 secondary schools, and, 4 months later, to 305 teachers in 6 other secondary schools. Analysis suggests that items cluster around three factors: (1) leadership synergy; (2) cohesive pride; and (3) personal challenge. (10 references) (MLF)

To estimate the predictive validity of the Chinese National Medical Examination, scores of a sample (n=1,717) of participating examinees were compared with program directors' ratings on nine aspects of clinical competence. Test scores were consistent with competence measures and overall, correlated significantly with ratings, while varying for…

A Japanese translation of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale was used with 167 developmentally disabled children under age 16. Total score demonstrated a satisfactory level of taxonomic validity and discriminated infantile autism and other pervasive developmental disorders from mental retardation alone. A satisfactory concurrent validity on the…

A study was commissioned to develop and validate a test to assess the attitudes of Alberta students towards the world of work. A revised instrument was created that used 75 items grouped into 15 scales, of five items each, measuring perceptions about available opportunities. During the validation field trial the instrument was administered to 467…

The 15 components used for assessment in an introductory psychology course were examined to determine their relative value as predictors of overall performance. Multiple-choice tests were consistently found to be more effective than essay examinations, but arguments are presented for the retention of essays, with suggestions for their improvement.…

This study evaluated the reliability and validity of the Blind Learning Aptitude Test with 193 Indian children (ages 8-15) with visual impairments and the relationship between time to complete and test performance. Results indicated satisfactory validity and reliability and completion rates of 30 to 133 minutes. (DB)

Traditional tests, sometimes called prescientific, and post-modern tests, such as cloze tests and dictations, take the same approach toward content validity: the examinee must show in an "integrated facile performance" that he or she can use the language fluently. Where traditional tests fail is in a third dimension, test method. These…

The study compared results of rating "Draw a Person" drawings of 250 deaf Israeli children aged 7-15 with those of 54 American deaf children of the same ages and 100 hearing Israeli children. Implications of the findings concerning instrument reliability, emotional development in deaf children, and cross-cultural aspects are considered.…

Discusses gender differences apparent in British public examination entry patterns and outcomes. Questions whether examinations should be designed for equal outcomes and the assumption that assessment techniques may differentially affect performances of males and females. Argues that because other factors such as different experiences and…

The use of factor analysis in examining the dimensionality of language tests is questioned and found to be problematic because it has a number of weak points which make it possible to manipulate results. Some of these weaknesses occur in the examinee selection sample, test selection, and the methods of extraction and rotation chosen. The use of…

Presents study findings which supported the use of answer-until-correct tests. Discusses results based on responses of secondary students from England (N=387) that revealed that the answer-until-correct test of mechanical reasoning had similar findings to the spatial reasoning test. (ML)

This manual describes the theory behind the Learning Process Questionnaire (LPQ) used in Australia and defines what the subscale and scale scores mean. The LPQ is a 36-item self-report questionnaire that yields scores on three basic motives for learning and three learning strategies, and on the approaches to learning that are formed by these…