Preface
Aurhor's preface
SFCTION I
Survey
1 Testing, testing…What is a language test?
Understanding language testing
Types of test
Test purpose
The criterion
The test-criterion relationship
Conclusion
2 Communication and the design oflanguage tests
Discrete point tests
Integrative and pragmatic tests
Communicative language tests
Models ofcommunicative ability
Conclusion
3 The testing cycle
Understanding the constraints
Test content
Test method
Authenticity of response
Fixed and constructed response formats
Test specifications
Test rrials
Conclusion
4 The ratlng process
Establishing a rating procedure
The problem with raters
Establishing a framework for making judgemenrs
Rating scales
Holistic and analytic ratings
Rater training
Conclusion
5 Valldlty:testing the test
Threats to test validity
Tesr content
Test method and rest construct
The impact of tests
Conclusion
6 Measurement
Introduction
Measurement
Quality control for raters
Investigating the properties of individual test items
Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurement
New approaches to measurement
Conclusion
7 The soclalcharacter oflanguage tests
Intfoduction
The institurional character of assessment
Assessment and social policy
Assessment and educational policy
The social responsibility of the language tester
Ethical language testing
Accountabiliry
Washback
Test impact
Codes of professional ethics for language testers
Critical language testing
Conclusion
8 New directions-and dilemmas?
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