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 • Can’t 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?