Impact of testing on

teaching
 Good tests and good teaching

Exams that test real-life skills can be prepared
for by real life work in the classroom

In real life skills are integrated, and good exams
do this

Students need to transfer skills from the
classroom to real life and good tests do this

Teaching feels ‘real’

2
 Multiple choice questions
What are the advantages and disadvantages of
this type of test?

3
 Other types of testing items

True false

Gapped texts

Cloze passages

Sentence transformations

Multiple matching
4
 Open gap-fill
Lake Titicaca, often known (0) … the ‘holy lake’, is
situated in South America on the border between
Bolivia and Peru. The lives of the people (13) …
tools and pottery have …found on its shores have
long remained a mystery. However, scientists
taking (15) … in an exploration project at the lake
have found what they believe to (16)… a 1000-

5
year –old temple under the water.
 Sentence transformations
Complete the second sentence so that it has a
similar meaning to the first sentence, using the
word given. Do not change the word given.
You must use between two and five words,
including the word given.

6
 Sentence transformations

The two boys were sitting by themselves in the
classroom
OWN
The two boys were sitting …….. in the
classroom

on their own

7
 Sentence transformations

I had never met Pia’s husband before
FIRST
It …………………….. I had ever met Pia’s
husband

was the first time

8
 KET reading

You cannot eat this Closed for lunch –
meal in the evening a) Come back later

Special Lunch
Until 2.30 p.m.
b)
£4.50

COUNTRY FARM SOUP

c) 100% fresh vegetables
9
 For teachers

Enables them to develop real life skills

Gives diagnostic information across skills

Provides framework and goals within real
contexts

Links to the CEFR

Provides a clear syllabus

Avoids repetitive exam practice

10
 For students

Provides motivation

Allows them to measure real progress of
language in use

They can see the relevance of classwork to real
life

Avoids the temptation to concentrate on
repetitive exam practice

They like it!

11
 Round up

Task types test appropriately

Different skills are tested in different ways

Skills are transferable

12