Making a placement test based on vocabulary knowledge / Andrew Gorringe and John Anderson

The object of this paper is to describe how the authors used vocabulary to
create a valid and reliable placement test. First, the writers will explain the
reasons for using vocabulary for placement testing purposes by looking at
the literature on knowledge of vocabulary and its relationship to language
ability. Next the paper will explain how the test was constructed and delivered
to the test takers using the Moodle quiz module. It will then show how
the test and test items were analysed using both classical test theory and
item response theory. It will also show the reliability of the test and how the
test was validated. Finally the paper will show how accurately the test
placed the test takers.
The results of this study demonstrate that using vocabulary knowledge as
the basis for a placement test is an easy and efficient way for teachers to
determine their students’ relative language ability. The study also shows
that the test itself is both valid and reliable and that it accurately places
students according to their language ability.