Investigates potential presence of a topic effect for the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Assessment using the mechanism of choice. Sought to determine whether test-takers given a choice of topic perform significantly differently from test-takers not given a choice. English-as-a-Second-Language university applicants were assigned one of…

Describes the strong power of tests and the fact that tests lead to far-reaching and high stakes decisions and consequences about individuals and groups. Proposes a number of assessment strategies that are based on democratic principles. (Author/VWL)

Surveys the development of language tests toward authenticity and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of indirect and direct (authentic) language tests. Discusses the difficulty of applying appropriate psychometric measures to tests using real-life language, and the large number of tests variables which interfere with the authenticity of…

Describes a study of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, each presented in the native language and in the second language, on the same second language text. Different methods resulted in different scores. Some methods were found to be more difficult than others and to have a greater effect on students of low-level proficiency. (SED)

Investigates the long-term effects of two national language tests in Israel, one in Arabic as a second language and one in English as a foreign language. The study employed questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis from teachers, students and language inspectors. Findings reveal that washback varies over time, owing to factors such as the…