TOPIC 3:

BASIC TESTING
TERMINOLOGY
Group Members:
Aaron Charles
Dg Ainattun Nazwa
Gwynth Vincent
Junichiro Iaan Maritus
Max Ryntingan M. S.

Explain the meaning and purpose

of different types of language
tests.

NormReferenc
ed and
Criterion
Referenc
ed

TYPE
S OF
TEST
Formativ
e and
Summati
ve

Objectiv
e and
Subjecti
ve

Norm-Referenced Test
(NRT)
O The scores are used to compare the

students performance with his peers and/or

compare a group with other groups.
O Individual test-takers score is interpreted in
relation to average score, middle score
and/or percentile rank.
O The purpose of such tests is to place testtakers along a mathematical continuum in
rank order.

Criterion-Referenced Test
(NRT)
O Criterion-referenced tests as the collection

of information about student progress or

achievement in relation to a specified
criterion.
O Performance measured according to
stipulated/fixed standard/criteria
O CRTs are designed to provide feedback to
test-takers, mostly in the form of grades, on
specific course or lesson objectives.

FORMATIVE TEST

SUMMATIVE TEST

To monitor students
progress

To test what has been

taught in a course

Assessment for learning

Assessment of students
learning

Kind of feedback
teachers give students
while the course is
progressing.

Kind of measurement
that summarises what
the student has learnt or
give a one-off
measurement

Generally informal
done in progress.

Done at the end of the

course / year for
grading and ranking

i.

Anecdotal records
ii. Final exams
iii. Quizzes and essays

EXAMPLES

i.

National exams
(UPSR, PMR, SPM,
STPM)
ii. Diagnostic tests
iii. Entrance exams

OBJECTIVE TEST

SUBJECTIVE TEST

An objective test is a test

that consists of right or
wrong answers or
responses and thus it can
be marked objectively.

A subjective test is
evaluated by giving an
opinion, usually based on
agreed criteria

Tend to focus more on

specific facts than on
general ideas and
concepts.

Provides more opportunity

to demonstrate their
understanding and/or indepth knowledge and
skills in the subject
matter.

i.

Multiple choice
items/questions
ii. True-false
items/questions
iii. Matching
items/questions
iv. Fill-in the blanks
items/questions.

EXAMPLES

i. Essay
ii. Short-answer
iii. Vocabulary
iv. Take-home tests.