Topic 4: Principles of

language testing
Tutorial questions
Farouk Rupiwin
Pang Wan Ji
Rozzarieca Jamieus

Question 1
Country X has issues with the obsession
of test score among parents and
students. Studies have shown the test
scores severely hamper student
development as a whole person. Students
are not able to be creative, lack social
responsibilities and practical abilities

i. Provide 2 reasons for the importance

of test scores for the students
Measuring pupils achievement or
understanding in learning
Used to grade the pupils (good,
average, low)

Identify and discuss 2 washback effect of

test scores on students development

Students are not able to improve

what they are weak in as students
just simply receive test score without
feedback given by teacher.
Students are demotivated when they
see their low marks in their test
scores and this might hinder the
interest of pupils to learn the
language.

How can authentic assessment help to solve the

problems mentioned in the stimulus above?

Authentic assessment is a form of

assessment in which students are
asked to perform real-world tasks that
demonstrate meaningful application of
essential knowledge skills------ Jon
Mueller
Example: Assess pupils through
meaningful task such as role play,

Authentic assessment helps students

become proficient at performing the
tasks they will encounter in the future.
Example: Role play allows students to
simulate the real life situation. Assessing
language through role play expose
pupils to real life situation and therefore
pupils will be able to learn social
responsibilities and practical abilities

 Authentic assessment involves testtakers in listening and speaking,

reading and writing. Authentic
assessment which can be done
through interactive testing is able to
stimulate pupils thinking skills as
they are actively involved in the
assessment without being restricted
to provide one and only correct
answer.

Question 2
Reliability and validity are generally
important for all types of evaluation.
However, some may argue that for
formative evaluation, more emphasis
could be given for validity than reliability.
Discuss the argument that can be used to
justify this stand. To what extent do you
agree with the above statement?

 In formative evaluation, more emphasis could be

given for validity than reliability because:
Formative assessment reflects on the
syllabus/curriculum learned.
For example:
School-Based Assessment (SBA)
Formative assessment measures the pupils
achievement on that particular moment.
The evaluation is valid but it may not be reliable
because it the result may not be the same when
pupils take the same test in the future
(summative assessment).