Unit Three: Standardized Test
Return to: Introduction to Educational Assessment
Unit Overview
In this unit, we are going to discuss:
1, What is standardized test, and what makes a standardized test different from other tests;
2, The pros and cons of standardized test.
Lesson Six: Standardized Test
Cutting Score
Cutting score is part of standard setting of a standardized test. Let' s use ETS Praxis as an example:
The Praxis Series assessment is one of ETS’ testing products (In the rest of the paper, Praxis is used in short for The Praxis Series). Praxis is designed for candidates, who plan to become teachers. Praxis focuses on testing examinees’ job-relevant knowledge and skills in academic skill, subject knowledge, and teaching knowledge. Praxis can be categorized into two different tests, which are Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators and Praxis Subject Assessment (For Test Takers, n.d.). The Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators tests academic competency, such as reading skills, writing skills, and mathematics. The test, takes 4 hours and 30 minutes (with 85 minutes of reading section, 85 minutes of mathematic section, and 100 minutes of writing section) to complete. It is similar to the GRE in the content structure. The Praxis Subject Assessment tests examinees’ subject-specific knowledge. For example, Biology content test is required for some candidates, who plan to become biology teachers. Praxis is used as part of the certification requirements to become a teacher and is adopted by many states in the US. Depending on the different requirements of states, candidates need to take different kinds of Praxis tests, some states only require the core academic test while others require the core academic and specific subject assessment tests depending on what type of teacher they will be.
Cut Scores
Passing score.
According to the ETS, the passing score/cut score of Praxis is set by the state or licensing agency. The cut score of Praxis also can vary from state to state. We can take Arkansas as an example. In Arkansas, the passing score of the mathematics section is 150, the passing score of the reading section is 156, and the passing score of the writing section is 162 (ETS, 2015). This means, if the candidate wants to become a teacher and work in Arkansas, he or she needs to get at least 150 in math, 156 in reading, and 162 in writing. According to the Praxis Technical Manual (2015), the score earned by a person in one state represents the same level of knowledge as the same score of the same test taken in another state (it measures innate ability). For example, if one person got 145 in mathematic section, he or she would pass the cut score in Washington, but not pass in Arkansas. This is because the cut score in Washington is 142, while the cut score in Arkansas is 150. So the person might have a chance to be a teacher in Washington, but not in Arkansas. However, the person’ s knowledge and skill do not change with the change of location.
Lesson Seven: Pros and Cons of Standardized Test
In education studies, standardized test is always a controversial topic. There are so many debates around standardized test, and no easy agreement.
With the ideas below, let' s think about the pros and cons of standardized test:
Pros and Cons of standardized test
Should we get rid of standardized test
What you think about standardized test? The good, the evil, or both? In what ways?
The current situation in educational assessment study is: we know standardized test has a lot of limitations. The educators are trying to emphasize this flaws, while test companies are trying to improve their products. For example, GRE is trying to practice personalized test/performance-based test with the help of technology. If you finish one session very well, computer will give you a harder level session as your next one. Also, the point weight of each question will increase. It seems either teachers nor students like standardized test, but it is still a necessary elements in modern education. For example, most graduate schools require GRE score as part of the application.
In your imagination, what the future of standardized test looks like?
Reference
ETS (2015). The Praxis Series Passing Scores by Test and State, Retrieved December 10, 2015, from http://www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/passing_scores.pdf
ETS (2015). Praxis Technical Manual, Retrieved December 10, 2015, from http://www.ets.org/s/praxis/pdf/technical_manual.pdf
The End