Types of Test

2008

Tamar Mikeladze
Doctoral Student of Telavi State University
English Language Teacher at Telavi State University
Types of Test according to:
 test purpose
(or use for which they are intended)
 score interpretation
/frame of reference
 test construction
 scoring procedure
 test format
Types of tests according to test
purpose (or use for which they are
intended)
 Proficiency test  Placement test
to measure people’s to place students at the
ability in a language stage or class
regardless of any appropriate to their
training they may have abilities.
had.  Aptitude test
 Achievement test to predict a student’s
to measure how much of future success,
the language taught potential, capability in
during a period of time language learning.
has been learned.
 Diagnostic test
to identify students’
strengths and
weaknesses and to
ascertain further
teaching plan.
Types of tests according to score
interpretation/frame of reference

 Criterion-
referenced
 Norm- testing
performance is measured
referenced not with relation to others’
testing scores, but with relation
to criteria for a particular
performance is measured not
unit of learning.
with relation to teaching
objectives, but with relation
to group ranking.
Types of tests according to test
construction

 Direct testing  Indirect

to measure one’s ability
directly in an authentic
context and format.
testing
to measure the abilities
which underlie the skills in
which we are interested.
Types of tests according to scoring
procedure
 Objective  Subjective
testing testing
can be scored with
will be scored on
reference to a scoring
an individual
key and with no subjective
basis with scorer’s opinion
judgment.
or judgment.
Types of tests according to
test format
 Discrete-point  Integrative
testing testing
to test two or more
to test single element
(often a number of)
of language or
skills or features of
skill at a time.
language together.
 Power test
to measure the level of performance with sufficient
difficulty and ample time to complete.

 Speed test
to measure the level of performance with many easy test
items and a time limit.
 Computer adaptive testing
using computer to present test content and can match
individual testee’s ability.
 Standardized test
Test that has been experimentally evaluated and found
valid and reliable.
Table of Types of Test/worksheet I

Types of Test and Proficiency Aptitude Achievement Diagnostic

Features of Test Test Test Test Test

Norm-referenced

Criterion-referenced

Objective testing

Subjective testing 
Discrete-point test

Integrative test
Table of Types of Test/worksheet II
Types of Test and Proficiency Aptitude Achievement Diagnostic
Features of Test Test Test Test Test
Norm-referenced 
Criterion-referenced

Objective testing 
Subjective testing

Discrete-point test 
Integrative test

Direct testing

Thank you