2. The principle of face validity Sometimes students don't know what is being tested when they tackle a test. Sometimes they feel, for a variety of possible reasons, that a test isn't testing what it is "supposed" to test. Face validity means that the students, as they perceive the test, feel that it is valid. You can help to foster that perception with:
• a carefully constructed, well thought-out format
• items that are clear and uncomplicated
• directions that are crystal clear
• tasks that are familiar, that relate to their course work
• a difficulty level that is appropriate for your students
• test conditions that are biased for best—that bring out students' best performance
3. The principle of authenticity Make sure that the language in your test is as natural and authentic as possible. Also, try to give language some context so that items aren't just a string of unrelated language samples. Thematic organization of items may help in this regard. Or, consider a story line that may run through your items. Also, the tasks themselves need to be tasks that they have practiced and feel comfortable with. A classroom test is not the time to introduce brand new tasks, because you won't know if student difficulty is a factor of the task itself or of the language you are testing.
4. The principle of "washback" "Washback" is the benefit that tests offer to learning. When students take a test, they should be able, within a reasonably short period of time, to utilize the information about their competence that test feedback offers. Formal tests must therefore be learning devices through which students can receive a diagnosis of areas of strength and weakness. Their incorrect responses can become windows of insight about further work. Your prompt return of written tests with your feedback is therefore very important to intrinsic motivation. One way to enhance washback is to provide narrative evaluations of test performance. Some Practical Steps to Test Construction Here are some practical steps to take in constructing classroom tests.
