Characteristics of A Good Test
A test is considered as valid when it measures what it is supposed to measure.
2- Reliability :
A test is considered reliable if it is taken again by the same students under the same circumstances and the score average is almost the constant , taking into consideration that the time between the test and the retest is of reasonable length.
Objectivity means that if the test is marked by different people, the score will be the same . In other words, marking process should not be affected by the marking person's personality.
A good test should include items from different areas of material assigned for the test. e.g ( dialogue – composition – comprehension – grammar – vocabulary – orthography – dictation – handwriting )
Simplicity means that the test should be written in a clear , correct and simple language , it is important to keep the method of testing as simple as possible while still testing the skill you intend to test . ( Avoid ambiguous questions and ambiguous instructions ) .
6- Scorability :
Scorability means that each item in the test has its own mark related to the distribution of marks given by ( The Ministry of Education) .
While preparing our usual tests, we need to have many important points in our minds as we write them :
1- Organization of data, school ,subject ,term , session and time.
2- Amount of questions should suit the allotted time .
3- Printing should be clear , handwritten exam are not accepted
4- Gradation ,arrange the items from easiest to most difficult so as not to discourage the less able .
5- Instructions should give students all the information they need in terms they can understand
6- Questions should adequately sample the content area ,global , including different parts from the whole and not focusing on certain lessons .
7- Keep the mechanics simple and clear . Don’t mix types of test items ,(general questions in place of language item or vice versa )
8- Test should involve the cognitive ,effective and psychomotor skills that are important to the units ,varied (subjective and objective questions )and measure different aspects .reasoning ,observation ,comprehending and deducing.
9- All branches of the language taught during the school year should be Included.
JAmbiguous questions are to be disregarded.
10- Avoid questions that depend on imagination or the unknown.
11- Questions paper should not include direct or indirect implications to any answer.
JGrading should be accurate.
12- Plan for easy scoring and do not confuse yourself with too many particles of marks .
Follow samples given by supervisors.