Test-wiseness and foreign language achievement tests

Abstract EN

Test-wise students use the characteristics and format of a test .to maximize their scores, which do not reflect their actual competence in or knowledge of the subject-matter being tested.

They also exploit the flaws in teacher-made tests.

That is, test-wiseness is a serious biasing factor in measuring ESLIEFL learners' achievement, proficiency, or development.

This bias threatens the validity, reliability, and fairness of tests.

The present paper reviews the literature on Test- Wiseness in order to familiarize ESL/EFL teachers with I) item flaws that cue students, particularly test-wise students, to the selection of the correct answers without knowledge of the measured form or structure, and 2) the skills and strategies employed by testwise students.

It also offers some guidelines and principles in test construction to help ESLfEFL .teachers improve their test-writing skills, in general, and to minimize the effect of test-wiseness, in particular.