Discrete Feature Test

(DFT)
Aisha binti Azman
 Concept of DFT
• DFT are tests which test one element of language at a time.
- DFT are constructed on the assumption that language can be divided into
its components parts
- The components are the skills of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and
various unit of language of phonology, morphology, lexicon, and syntax.
- DFT aim to achieve a high reliability factor by testing a large number of
discrete items, but each question tests only one linguistic point.
 Examples of DFT items

•  Multiple choice questions

• True/false
• Fill in the blank
• Spelling
• Word completion
 Strengths
• The test of this approach can cover a wide range of scope of materials to
be put
• in the tests.
• The test allows quantification on the students’ responses.
• In the term of scoring, the test is also reliable because of its objectivity;
the scoring is efficient
 Weaknesses
• Constructing discrete point test items is potentially energy and time
consuming.
• The test do not include social context
• Success in doing the test is not readily inferable to the ability of the test
taker to communicate in real life circumstances.
DFT for assessing reading and
writing.
Activity : Fill in the blank
Read and fill in the blanks
1. In picture one, the girl __________ likes the spider.
2. In picture three, the spider is ____________ the table.
3. In picture four, the spider is ___________.
4. In picture five, they don’t ____________ the spider.
5. In picture eight, the three children __________ the
spiders.