Test-Taking Strategies and Task-based Assessment: The Case of Iranian EFL Learners

Subject Areas : Research in English Language Pedagogy

Hossein  Barati ¹ (Department of English, Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Isfahan)
Zohreh  Kashkouli ² (Department of English, Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Isfahan)

Received: 2011-12-04 Accepted : 2012-01-12 Published : 2012-01-12

Keywords: Reading, Proficiency, Task-based Assessment, test-taking strategies,

Abstract :

The present study examined the effect of task-based assessment on the type and frequency of test-taking strategies that three proficiency groups of Iranian adult EFL learners used when completing the First Certificate in English FCE reading paper. A total of 70 EFL university undergraduates (53 females and 17 males) took part in the main phase of this study. They were divided into three proficiency groups: high, intermediate, and low. A set of Chi-square analyses was used to explore the type and frequency of test-taking strategies used by participants. The results suggested that the intermediate group test takers used the strategies significantly different after completing each task (sub-test) in the FCE reading paper. However, the high and low proficient test takers› use of strategies was only significant after completing the third task of the FCE reading paper. The findings also revealed that a pattern could be drawn of the type of strategies used by the three proficiency groups who participated in this study. Nonetheless, such a pattern shifted at times depending on the ability of the test takers and/or the task under study.

References:

Bachman, L.F. (1990) . Fundamental considerations in language testing.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.                                                                    

Backman, L. F. & Palmer, A. S. (1995) . Language testing in practice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.                                                            
Barati, H. (2005) . Test-taking strategies and the assessment of reading skills: an approach to construct validation. Unpublished PhD thesis.  University
       of Bristol. UK.                           
Cohen, A. D. (1985) . On taking language tests: What the students report.
       Language Testing, 1 (1): 70-81.                                                           Cohen, A. D. (1998a). Strategies in learning and using a second language.
       London: Longman.                                                                              Cohen, A. D. (1998b). Strategies and processes in test taking and SLA. In
        Bachman  L. F., and Cohen, A. D. (eds.). Interface between second language acquisition and language testing research. Cambridge: Cambridge
        University Press, 90-111.                    
Cohen, A. D. (2007). The coming of age of research on test-taking strategies.
       Language Assessment Quarterly, 3(4): 307-330.              
Cohen, a. D. & Aphek, E.  (1979).  Easifying second language learning. Jerusalem:
       Jacob Hiatt institute.                                                               
Cohen, A. D. & Upton, T. A. (2006).  Strategies to responding to the new TOEFL
       tasks. Language Assessment Quarterly, 10 (3): 20-41.                    Fransson, A. (1984). Cramming or understanding? Effects of intrinsic or extrinsic
       motivation on approach to learning and test performance. Reading in a
 Foreign Language. 4 (3): 30-54.                                                                                              Homburg, T. J., & Spaan, M. C. (1981). ESl reading proficiency assessment:
       Testing strategies. TESOL Quarterly, 4 (2): 21-57.            
Phakiti, A. (2003) .”A closer look at the relationship of cognitive and  metacognitive
        strategy use to EFL reading achievement test performance.” Language
Testing, 20(1): 26-56.                                     
Tavakoli, E. ( 2007). Investigating the construct validity of the FCE reading paper  in the Iranian EFL context. Unpublished M.A. thesis. University of Isfahan.
         Iran.                         
UCLES (2001) . First Certificate in English: FCE handbook. Cambridge:
      UCLES.                                                                                         
UCLES (2004).  First Certificate in English: FCE handbook. Cambridge: UCLES.                 

Woods, R. (1993). Assessment and Testing. In Weir, C. A., (2005). Language testing and validation. UK: Macmillan.