Test Construction

A workshop

Activity 1Using the information you read Brown (2004) (particularly on pages 51-64), develop criteria for evaluating an ESL course’s final exam. Consider these questions:1. What do you need to know about the context and

curriculum in order to appropriately evaluate the test?

2. What should you be looking for, particularly in terms of multiple-choice items, in order to evaluate the test?

3. How will you determine the validity of the items on the test?

4. How will you determine if the scoring methods are fair?

Activity 2

Discuss group responses to above questions. Using the criteria that you developed, analyze a prebasic exit exam. Divide the exam into sections and have different groups evaluate closely each section, then combine to give an overall evaluation as a group.

Activity 3

If time, discuss in your groups how the same or similar objectives could be tested using authentic/alternative assessment.