Test and Testing

Types of test and testing


Proficiency test
In this kind of test we measure the abilities of a person in the target language. For example if we need a translator for the Embassy, we will test the proficiency of the language of the person, excluding if the person has taken any classes of the target language or not.
This test usually are being design to measure the knowledge of the teacher in order to know if the teacher qualifies. These test are based on specific abilities. For example TOEFL test, which it was design to measure English abilities. For this test exist previously schooling in where students are taught the essentials to take the test. This schools don't have any connection we the people of TOEFL to make the test fair for everyone.


Achievement Test
This kind of test let us see how the students improved in the language learned. These test are mainly prepared by the teacher or any other institutional educator and exist two kinds: final achievement test and progress achievement test.
The final achievement test must seek the knowledge obtained trough the course and the objectives of the course.
The progress achievement test are mainly design to measure the progress of the students during the course. In this kind if test is suggested to make the test based on short term objectives.
For example, the test that a teacher makes to see if the students reach the goal of learning the material taught during the course time.


Diagnostic test
The purpose of this test is to measure the weaknesses and strengths of the student. For example, the test given at the beginning of the course to see where the students are in accordance of the course.



Placement test
This test is use to place students in their levels of understanding. This test can be made by the teachers of the institution to fit their necessities. For example, UABC placement test. This test is design to give a place to the student according with the knowledge of the target language.

Direct versus indirect test
Direct test is when an student does an specific skill learn in the course, for example if we want the student to show how a perfect tense is made, we need to teach them the elements that are part of the perfect tense. Direct test is an easy tool when we talk about reading and speaking.
Indirect test attempts to measure the abilities shown in the skills acquired. For example if the student understood the perfect tense, then he/she needs to identify the mistakes in a sentences per-say.

Discrete point versus interrogative testing
In discrete point we test each item individually in order to see if the item was learn correctly,
and in the interrogative testing we test the items combined. For example, the parts of speech. The student must right a paper using a well structure sentence.

Norm-reference versus criterion-reference testing
Norm-reference test gives the percentage of the knowledge acquired between students. In this test we give a detail information about the development of the student's learning in an specific area. For example, we give one student a story to read and we can start testing how fast he/she were reading, if it was well read (intonation, fluency), etc.
Criterion-reference, in this test we test how the student is doing in the language. For example if he/she is able to understand instructions or follow directions, or being able to have a conversation with someone else in the target language.




Objective testing versus subjective testing
Objective testing is when a judgment is not require. Subjective when a judgment is require.

Computer adaptive testing
In this test the computer gives the student a test according to their level. For example, the students is taking a test on perfect tense, the computer will ask him/her a difficult question if the student response correctly it will continue with the hard test, if the student is not able to answer correctly it will give him/her an easier level in the same subject.

Communicative language testing
In this case we will use a unique test that involves all the test seen already.