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ERIC Number: EJ1396072
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0265-5322
EISSN: EISSN-1477-0946
Test Review: High-Stakes English Language Proficiency Tests--Enquiry, Resit, and Retake Policies
Pearson, William S.
Language Testing, v40 n4 p1022-1035 2023
Many candidates undertaking high-stakes English language proficiency tests for academic enrolment do not achieve the results they need for reasons including linguistic unreadiness, test unpreparedness, illness, an unfavourable configuration of tasks, or administrative and marking errors. Owing to the importance of meeting goals or out of a belief that original test performance was satisfactory, some individuals query their results, while others go on to retake the test, perhaps on multiple occasions. This article critically reviews the policies of eight well-known, on-demand gatekeeping English language tests, describing the systems adopted by language assessment organisations to regulate results enquiries, candidates resitting (components of) a test where performance fell short of requirements, and repeat test-taking. It was found that all providers institute clear mechanisms through which candidates can query their results, with notable variations exhibited in procedures, costs, restrictions, outcomes, and how policies are communicated to test-takers. Test resit options are scarce, while organisations enact few restrictions on test retakes in the form of mandatory waiting times and cautionary advice. The implications for language assessment organisations are discussed.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: International English Language Testing System; Test of English as a Foreign Language
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A