English Language Proficiency Online Test

1
English Language Proficiency Online Test

• Nick Hillman and Sarah Fitt

2
The why

• The recruitment process is the first point of
  contact that an institution has with a potential
  student.
• Anglia Ruskin has an objective to increase the
  numbers of its international students. Integral
  to that aim is a less stressful and time
  consuming admission process.
• At present, potential students in countries where
  access to the IELTS test is difficult, are often
  significantly disadvantaged in the application
  process. A new Anglia Ruskin English Language
  Assessment Test would improve the quality of the
  first contact with many potential students.

3
The what

• The test will allow candidates to submit a
  specified series of tests from a remote location
  over the internet.
• The test will be server-based, allowing all
  aspects of the test to be managed at Anglia
  Ruskin.
• The final version will comprise three parts
• Candidate interface allows the candidate to work
  through a series of tests at a remote computer
  and submit online.
• Invigilator interface allows the invigilator to
  set up test sessions and receive candidate
  identifiers generated by the server.
• Administrator and designer interface allows the
  test administrators and designers to
  manage/develop the test.

4
The how

• Establish components
• Develop software specification
• Write/record items
• Write instructions
• Record instructions
• Give to EFL teachers for comments/feedback
• Pilot with existing international undergraduates
• Evaluate (against known level of test takers)

5
The so far!

• Components established
• Software specification developed
• Items written and recorded
• Instructions written
• Instructions recorded
• Test given to EFL teachers for comments/feedback
  2 out of 5 given responses

6
The feedback

• Generally good
• Cant hear audio
• Some items very difficult to answer on the screen
  with scrolling up and down that is required
• Instructions need simplification
• Typos
• Too long?