Abstract

This study used Latent Growth Curve Modeling (LGCM) to examine the overtime patterns of the score and test-taking strategy changes in an international high-stakes standardized proficiency test. To this end, the test records of 178 Iranian IELTS repeaters were analyzed, using close- and open-ended questionnaires to measure test scores as a function of construct-relevant and construct-irrelevant test-taking strategy changes. Additionally, this study explored the accountable factors for the changes in the repeaters’ strategies. Results indicated a small and gradual increase in the test scores following an overall augmented use of test-management (TM) and a decreased employment of test-wiseness (TW) strategies. Along with contributing to IELTS validity evidence based on the repeaters’ scores, this study found multiple sources to account for the changes in repeaters’ test-taking strategies. Consideration of changes in repeaters’ test-taking strategies by IELTS instructors and test users may add to the validity of interpretation of test scores to the intended purposes of the tests.

摘要

本研究使用潜在增长曲线模型 (LGCM) 来研究国际高风险标准化能力测试中分数的加班模式和考试策略的变化。为此，我们分析了 178 名伊朗雅思考试复读者的考试记录，使用封闭式和开放式问卷来衡量考试成绩，作为结构相关和结构无关的考试策略变化的函数。此外，本研究还探讨了留级生策略变化的影响因素。结果表明，在全面增加测试管理（TM）的使用和减少测试明智（TW）策略的使用后，测试分数逐渐小幅上升。除了根据复读生的分数提供雅思有效性证据外，这项研究发现了多个来源来解释复读生考试策略的变化。雅思考官和考试用户考虑复读生考试策略的变化，可能会增加对考试成绩的解释是否符合考试的预期目的。