Review questions

1. What is the definition for a norm-referenced test? What definition would be appropriate for a Criterion-referenced test?

2. What is a domain-referenced test? How is a domain-referenced test different from an objectives-referenced test? How are both DRTs and ORTs related to CRTs?

3. Are CRTs necessarily better than NRTs? If so, how so? If not, why not? What are the strengths of CRTs vis-à-vis NRTs.

4. Would percentile scores be more appropriate for for CRTs or NRTs? What about percent scores? Which type of test (CRT or NRT) produces interpretations that are termed absolute? Which produces relative decisions?

5. What are the differences between the view that language proficiency consists of a general factor and the view that language is divisible into subskills? Is it possible for both views to be correct?

6. What makes language testing special?

7. In your view, what is language proficiency? What is communicative competence? How are the language proficiency and communicative competence different and similar concepts?

8. How are communicative competence and authenticity of materials related? Do researchers agree on that relationship?

9. What are the three common uses for test scores according to Hambleton?

10. Are Criterion-referenced tests without problems? What problems do CRT developers face?