Zandi Ernomo - 012

STRENGHT AND WEAKNESS OF TEST BASED ON ITS DIVISION

1. Based on the way to test and to score (objective and subjective)

Objective test is a kind of test in which a number of correct answers are provided in the
worksheet. Therefore, judging the level of test participant is effortless as the fixed answer key
is provided. If such test are valued by different test examiner, the result of the test will be the
same as before. Some objective tests are computerized, the answer key is programmed in a
computer, so that test examiner can easily mark the answer. Since it is easy to do, testing a lot
of candidates is possible. However, constructing objective test is not an easy task as test
maker should provide distraction answer within a question. Some examples of objective test
are multiple choice, matching, and error recognition. Meanwhile, determining the appropiate
value of test participants, in subjective test, takes a couple of minutes, for it is heavily based
on ones assumption. Consequently, the result of the test may differ from one to another test
examiner. One example of subjective test is essay writing.
2. Based on the language aspects to test (oral and written)
The purpose of oral test, as its name indicates, is to evaluate the result of learning outcome by
means of responding the questions orally. Conversely, test participants answer, in written test,
is expressed in the form of writing. Conducting oral tests have some advantages, one of which
is tester can measure diretly the testees cognitive and affective aspects because tester and
testee meet face to face. Another benefit of oral test is testee has no opportunity for cheating.
However, the level of subjectivity in oral test is higher than written test as the tester should
make immidiate judgement after a testee has done the test. Concerning written test, time and
space may be the advanteages, as compared to oral test. Testee can freely express their own
opinion in relation to responding the question and do the test anywhere. Nevertheless, the
result of written test is a bit doubtful since the testee can commit cheating.
3. Based on the test maker/developer (non- standardized test and standardized)
Non standardized test may refer to classroom teacher test. The test construction may not
involve expert assistance. Such test is designed and adapted to the current condition of
learners or testees. In non standardized test, the classroom teacher may want to see how far
the learners is progressing. On the contrary, standardized test offers more formality than non

standardized test because it is created by a group of experts. The policymakers rely heavily on
the result of standardized test in terms of making the right decision. However, standardized
test can be a double-edged sword in which whether standardized test help testee or learner
study hard to pass such test or demotivate testee who never pass the test.
4. Based on the time of administering the test (pre test and post test)
Pre test is a kind of test given by classroom teacher at the very beginning of teaching session.
The purpose of the test is to introduce a particular topic of the lesson to the students and to
find out how far the students understand the lesson. Mostly the test is done informally by
means of asking the students directly some questions related to the lesson. Pre test is so
valuable that the students are able to develop and focus their mental activity on the lesson.
Unlike pre test where it is administered at the early session of teaching, post test is given at
the last session in order to check whether or not the students understand teachers
presentation. By conducting such test, classroom teachers may find out the the strength and
weakness of teaching technique s/he has already applied from the result of the test. Post test
may take place in the form of written test.
5. Based on the reference used (criterion and norm referrenced)
One of the strenghts of criterion referrenced test is students are tested on their mastery skill.
The result of the test is valuable for teacher who want to improve students performance by
means of giving feedback. Criterion referrenced test compares students ability with the
standardized curriculum in particular country, whereas norm referrenced test tries to find out
whether or not students performance are better than the other similar group of students
accross nation. Although the test result of norm referrenced test has small impact for
classroom teacher, the test result has capability of informing accurate data regarding rank
order of students from high to low achievers.