The IELTS Exam and Cut-Off Decisions: One University's Mistake

Autor/in	Roemer, Ann E.
Titel	The IELTS Exam and Cut-Off Decisions: One University's Mistake
Quelle	In: College and University, 95 (2020) 1, S.29-34 (7 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0010-0889
Schlagwörter	Stellungnahme; Language Tests; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; Cutting Scores; Decision Making; Psycholinguistics; College Admission; Foreign Students; College Applicants; Language Proficiency; Ethics; Test Format; Evaluation Criteria; Higher Education; International English Language Testing System + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Language test; Sprachtest; English as second language; English; Second Language; Englisch als Zweitsprache; Zweitsprachenerwerb; Decision-making; Entscheidungsfindung; Psycholinguistik; Hochschulzugang; Hochschulzulassung; Zulassung; College applications; Studienbewerber; Language skill; Language skills; Sprachkompetenz; Ethik; Testentwicklung; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Language tests; Englisch
Abstract	College and university admissions officers are the gatekeepers who decide which individuals may join the "country club" of higher education. As such, the decisions they make have a significant impact on the lives of individuals, especially those who are willing to travel across the globe and risk living in an unfamiliar country in order to receive a postsecondary education. Making decisions about international students and their credentials is much more complicated than evaluating the applications of U.S. students. Part of this complicated process involves decisions regarding English language proficiency and cut-off scores for exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. In the spirit of fairness and what is best for the students as well as institutions, this article describes the format of the IELTS, introduces some psycholinguistic terms, and evaluates the IELTS vis à vis six criteria for language-proficiency exams. Finally, a case study is shared from the author's university, i.e. a situation in which uninformed admissions decisions were made about students' English abilities as assessed by the IELTS and what was done to correct the situation. The author hopes that their mistake can serve as a lesson for other higher education institutions. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). One Dupont Circle NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-293-9161; Fax: 202-872-8857; e-mail: pubs@aacrao.org; Web site: http://www.aacrao.org/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01