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The example of paper-and-pencil language tests is National Examination since the test items in multiple choice formats. Besides, the aim of administering National
Examination is to assess the students’ receptive skills. Receptive skills refer to the
ability to receive information and understand it by listening or reading.
b. Performance tests
Nowadays, performance tests are well known as oral tests. Performance tests are different from paper-and-pencil language tests since they assess the act of
communication McNamara 2000. Therefore, it is specifically used to assess speaking and writing skills.
3. Test Purposes
In term of test purposes, language tests are differentiated into five types. They are namely language aptitude tests, proficiency tests, placement tests,
diagnostic tests, and achievement tests. Brown 2004 explains that by defining the purpose of testing, the test-designers will more focus on the certain objectives
of the tests p.42. Besides, it helps the test-designers to compose the items.
a. Language Aptitude Tests
According to Brown 2004, language aptitude test is “a test which is
designed to measure capacity or general ability to learn a foreign language and ultimate success in that undertaking
” p.43. Language aptitude test is not commonly employed since this test is used to predict one’s achievement in
learning a language. The achievement of the tests is assessed by likewise processes of mimicry, memorization, and puzzle-solving Brown, 2004. The
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reason is doubtful since the factors like appropriate self-knowledge, active strategic involvement in learning, and strategies-based instruction influence
somebody’s success. The examples of language aptitude tests are the Modern Language Aptitude Test
MLAT and Pimsleur Language Aptitude Battery PLAB.
b. Proficiency Tests
Proficiency tests are not limited to one course, curriculum, or certain language skill. However, it tests all skills. Brown 2004 explains that proficiency
tests consist of standardized multiple-choice items on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening comprehension, writing skill, and sometimes
oral production performance p.44. In addition, McNamara 2000 states that proficiency tests are not correlated to the process of teaching since tests more refer
to the future ‘real-life’ language use as the criterion. Therefore, the score of this kind of tests has gate-keeping function especially in the educational field and
working area. An example of standardized proficiency tests is Test of English as a Foreign Language or well-known as TOEFL.
c. Placement Tests
Brown states placement tests are tests which are employed to place a student into a certain level or course correctly. Since it is for placing a student into
a certain level or course, the tests commonly comprise the sample of the material completed in various levels in a certain curriculum p.45. The tests are various;
they can be in a form of written test or oral test, depending on the nature of the
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program. An example of standardized placement tests is the English as a Second Language Placement Test ESLPT at San Fransisco State University.
d. Diagnostic Tests
