Standardization of EFL Undergraduate Skill Exam Papers: A Case Study at Majmaah University

Autor/inn/en	Abahussain, Majed Othman; Iqbal, Muhammad; Khan, Imran
Titel	Standardization of EFL Undergraduate Skill Exam Papers: A Case Study at Majmaah University
Quelle	In: Arab World English Journal, 11 (2020) 4, S.363-381 (19 Seiten) PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Abahussain, Majed Othman) ORCID (Iqbal, Muhammad) ORCID (Khan, Imran)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2229-9327
Schlagwörter	Undergraduate Students; Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; English (Second Language); Outcomes of Education; Taxonomy; Group Discussion; Standardized Tests; Language Tests; Case Studies; Student Attitudes; Test Items; Alignment (Education); Foreign Countries; Saudi Arabia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Zweitsprachenerwerb; Fremdsprachenunterricht; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Taxonomie; Gruppendiskussion; Standadised tests; Standardisierter Test; Language test; Sprachtest; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study; Schülerverhalten; Test content; Testaufgabe; Ausland; Saudi-Arabien
Abstract	Designing standardized exams for EFL undergraduates is a matter of great concern in pedagogical practices that assess learners' academic achievements. This case study was conducted at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia, to explore the significance of educational exam standardization and its impact on the process of implementation, leading to a balanced and equitable assessment of English language skills. During the study, 250 final English skill exam questions of two semesters were analyzed. A mixed-method approach using a questionnaire and Focused Group Discussion was adopted to collect relevant data. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS 16, and the qualitative data was processed by thematic analysis. The quantitative data results showed that questions were balanced, valid, and reliable in language skill exam papers designed for undergraduate English students. The qualitative data revealed four major themes -- standardization of questions, the efficacy of Bloom's taxonomy, assessment/evaluation, and alignment of the question with learning outcomes. These emerging themes highlighted the effectivness of standardizing exam papers, identified problems, and suggested ways of improvement. The study indicates that exams must be scrutinized for the sake of standardization in terms of maximum course coverage; the variety in the question item; clear, concise, and precise instructions; validity and reliability of exam papers; and the alignment of questions with the course and program learning outcomes to ensure the implementation of the revised Bloom's taxonomy. The study suggests, to generalize the results, that further investigation should be done in another Saudi university for the sake of comparison. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Arab World English Journal. 10602 Davlee Lane, Richmond, Texas, 77407. e-mail: editor@awej.org; e-mail: info@ASELS.org; Web site: https://awej.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01