The backwash effect of the test items in the achievement exams in preparatory classes

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to give insights about the four language skills and language use assessed in achievement tests and the possible backwash effect of the items on both learning/teaching processes in English preparatory classes at the tertiary level. For this purpose, some samples of achievement tests from 13 institutions have been collected and analyzed in terms of test items used to assess four language skills, language use and vocabulary, and their potential backwash effect. The results have revealed that reading skill and subskills, language use and vocabulary knowledge are assessed in the achievement tests by all institutions. However, listening, writing and speaking skills are assessed by 70% of the institutions. In addition, 15% of them also assess translation in their achievement tests. All in all, four language skills and their subskills are tested to some extent in almost all institutions. This is a very effect ive approach to create needs for the learners to focus on four language skills and to get them ready for their academic life as the tests items/tasks have tendency to assess performance rather than language knowledge solely.