Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
1. Introduction
There are several factors when selecting a test. To do it, you should consider the four
basic principles of assessment. First, our test must have validity which refers to whether a
test measures what it is supposed to measure. Validity is also related to how well a test
matches your intended purposes and uses. Then, there is also reliability, and it refers to
the consistency of test results. Third, practicality refers to how feasible a particular
assessment or test is to administer. And finally, impact is the possible effect(s) of a test.
This test will be administered at Universidad de Sonora which is a public university in
Hermosillo, Sonora. The students are in the general courses of the foreign language
department. Focusing on the students of the fifth level, which corresponds to a
intermediate B1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for
Languages. This language center is for university students, and it is also open to the
public. The minimum age for entering to a course is 15 years old. However, the age range
on a fifth level varies from 18 to 25 years old.
The purpose for learning English is that students can develop a second language and
being able to communicate effectively. Also, students will also have an advantage in their
professional lives if they are proficient in English.
Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
Standardized English tests could be expensive for students. The EF SET is completely
free. This was the main reason for choosing this test. Students will be able to take a test,
get a certificate and include it on their resume.
The EF Standard English Test (EF SET) is a free, online English test designed to meet
the high technical standards as the other standardized tests in the field, such as the
TOEFL or IELTS.
As mentioned on the EF SET official website, the EF Standard English Test, sets out
to challenge the status quo – to build a testing solution that not only provides reliable
measurement, but is also affordable, simple to use, and always accessible. It is the
world’s first completely free standardized English test for learners of all levels, from
beginner to advanced.
With completion of our 50-min EF SET, you will receive a breakdown of your
Reading and Listening skills, and an official EF SET Certificate URL. You can add your
personalized URL to your LinkedIn profile or include on your CV. The score scale, based
on the CEFR, is internationally recognized - making it easy for you to share your results
and prove your English learning achievements.
Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
On the breakdown of this test review, there is a table provided with the most relevant
information about the test. The purpose of this review is to provide all the information
collected from the official website of EF SET and give a point of view about the test.
2. Table
Test EF SET
Publisher EF Education First
Website https://www.efset.org/
Date of September 2014.
publication
Target All English learners, regardless of their level of English or the way they are
population currently learning English. All students can benefit from having a reliable way to
measure their current level of proficiency and track their progress over time.
Cost Free
Purpose of Their goal is to make English proficiency testing not only reliable, but also
test affordable, simple to use, and always accessible. At EF SET they are applying
sophisticated research and development to provide objectively scored
standardized English tests for all level learners - from beginner to advanced - for
free.
Structure Timing: 50 minutes.
of test Sections: Reading and Listening
Items: Reading: 28, Listening: 36
Tasks:
-Reading:
*Single passage with m/c or m/c questions + completions
* Fixed format two-passage
-Listening:
*Single passage with m/c or m/c questions
*Dialogue with m/c or m/c questions
*Speaker match
Delivery mode: Computerized
Scoring of You have 50 minutes to take the EF SET and at the end it is automatically scored
test on a scale that goes from 0 to 100 with a report divided into two, one for the
reading comprehension section with a maximum duration of 25 minutes and
another for the of listening comprehension that can last up to another 25 minutes,
as well as an overall score that is the arithmetic mean of both scores. The scores
Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
obtained in the EF SET correspond to the 6 CEFR levels from A1 to C2, as well
as the IELTS and TOEFL scores.
Statistical
distribution
of scores
for normed
group
Standard The standard error of measurement is comparably low with TOEFL, TEOIC or
error of IELTS.
measureme There is no more information provided.
nt (SEM)
for the
normed
group
scores
Evidence The EF SET was built to the same standards of reliability as the other
for standardized English tests like the TOEFL, TOEIC or IELTS:
reliability
All test content was pretested on hundreds of thousands of international
population of English language learners over many years, at all CEFR* levels.
These test results were intensively analyzed for statistical reliability.
Scale reliability was demonstrated to be very good for the EF SET scores given
the adaptive nature of the test. These results suggest that EF SET examinations
are very reliable, demonstrate expected positive associations with IELTS scores,
but also may be getting at a somewhat unique set of English language reading and
listening.
Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
Evidence An international sample of non-native English language learners were recruited
for validity and screened over a period of 4 months. Four-hundred and six examinees who
met the study eligibility requirements were administered both an EF SET reading
and listening test. As part of the eligibility requirements, the examinees were
required to upload a digital copy of their IELTS test score report. Their scores on
EF SET and their reported IELTS scores were then analyzed to investigate the
degree of statistical correspondence between the tests. The study results confirm
that the EF SET scores are quite reliable across the corresponding reading and
listening score scales and that there is reasonable statistical correspondence with
IELTS scores. Overall, this provides important evidence about the validity of the
EF SET reading and listening scores.
3. Conclusion
It has been concluded that this test cannot be administered to the target audience. It is
mentioned that this test can be administered to all English learners’ levels, however it
does not provide an age range. This test can be administered to all levels, but not all type
of students. This is not a type of test you would like to administer to young learners, for
example. This test could be boring for young learners. I would recommend this test for
students in secondary education and up.
It also stays within appropriate time constraint; it can be administered during a one-
hour class. The administration of the test is very practical, as all you need is a computer
and internet for the students to complete the test. It can also be at any time during the day,
so in case there are students who weren’t able to attend to class, they can still take the test
later.
Alejandra Chacon Sanchez
218207595
Test Review
October 10, 2021
This test can have a positive impact in students and teachers because it recognizes
weakness and strengths of each learner. This information can be used by the teacher to
make changes in his syllabus, or to continue with the syllabus available. On the other
hand, students will be able to test their English proficiency, and be more aware of their
learning process.
4. References
EF SET. (2015a). EF SET - IELTS CORRELATION STUDY REPORT.
https://a.storyblok.com/f/79503/x/3044206eea/ef-set-ielts-correlation-study-report.pdf
EF SET. (2015b). EF SET ACADEMIC AND TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT.
https://a.storyblok.com/f/79503/x/6c8302dc10/ef-set-academic-development-report.pdf
First, E.-E. F. (2014). English test with free certification | EF SET. EF Standard English Test.
https://www.efset.org
