A Comparative Analysis Of Reading Comprehension Tests In CET4&6 And IELTS

The author has carried out a study with a comparative analysis and a questionnaire survey on various characteristics of reading subtests in CET4&6 and IELTS(A) aiming to evaluate the test quality of the three tests in terms of content validity especially that of CET4&6 and to explore whether or not the CET4&6 reading subtests have achieved a beneficial washback effect for college English teaching and learning.As an empirical study based on the quantitative analysis method, this study is carried out from two dimensions, the first dimension is the comparative analysis on the reading subtests of CET4&6 and IELTS. In order to ensure the adequacy of the samples, the author has collected 27 newest consecutive reading subtests papers of the above three tests as the study instrument, within which 96 passages are involved. The comparative analysis is operated in two aspects:analysis of the key characteristics of reading texts and the key characteristics of the reading questions. The methodological technique employed in the second dimension of the study is the questionnaire survey towards the college English learners, aiming to investigate the washback effect produced by CET4&6 and IELTS reading tests. The items in the questionnaire include the college English learners'recognitions of CET4&6 and IELTS reading tests and the effects on college English learning produced by them.It is sincerely hoped that the key findings derived from the present comparative study and the suggestions proposed by the author towards the improvement of the CET4&6 reading subtests can provide some valuable information and inspiration for the college English teachers and learners, CET test developers, thus can further facilitate the beneficial washback effect of the reading subtests of CET4&6.