Content Validity Study On Reading Expression Tests Of NMET (Shandong)

Reading is an important way for people to obtain information. For our high school Englishteaching, reading is always a key component of English teaching in high school, and Thenational Matriculation English Test(NMET) is a very critical component of English teaching inhigh school. At present, Nation NMET in every province and city of the whole countryemphasizes English reading test. Also, the selecting feature of NMET demand that reading testshould have a high validity. Therefore, Validity of the test is a very important factor which is toassess the quality of NMET.I studied the reading expression tests of NMET (Shandong) from2007to2012. The aim ofour study is to evaluate the reading expression tests of NMET (Shandong) scientifically, and toimprove the quality of NMET (Shandong). Through combining literature analysis andcomparative study of NMET (Shandong) from2007to2012, we evaluate whetherNMET(Shandong) reflects the requirements very well or not. Meanwhile, we will summarize themethods of problem-solving strategies.The first step is to analyze the specific situation of NMET (Shandong) reading expressiontest by using Bachman’s framework of language task characteristics and to sort out the overallstructure of NMET (Shandong). It is based on both the Bachman’s framework of language taskcharacteristics and the reading expression test of NMET of Shandong. Then, combined with thenature of reading, an investigation is made to explore how the content of the reading expressionsection reflects the corresponding requirements laid down in the testing syllabus and teachingsyllabus. The content validity of reading expression test of NMET of Shandong is inspected andverified from five aspects: the test setting, the test rubrics, the input, the expected response, aswell as the relationship between input and response. Finally, we propose some principles andmethods in order to regulate the content validity of reading expression test. They will also helpus optimize the design of reading expression test and improve quality.The findings of this study are as follows:Firstly, the reading expression tests of NMET(Shandong) have fulfilled the provision ofboth testing syllabus and teaching syllabus. These tests are well designed. They cover all the knowledge and reading skills which must be tested. That is to say, the reading expression havereached a high content validity.Secondly, through factor analysis and validity verification, we find a series of variables thataffects test validity. Then, we identify their characteristics to ensure a good content validity ofreading expression test. These factors affecting validity exist in the test setting, the test rubrics,the input, the expected response, as well as the relationship between input and response. Becausethey all have an effect on the content validity of a reading expression test, it is reasonable andfeasible for us to acquire good validity by regulating these variables. Meanwhile, the principlesand methods of controlling the content validity can be applied to the reading expression test ofNMET of Shandong.Thirdly, the study will improve English reading teaching and promote English reading tests.For example, the question format in NMET of Shandong can be more flexible, multiple-choicequestions has been the only test form for six years; some weakness revealed in test entails bettertest design; the criteria-syllabi for test design should be updated; the backwash effects of the teston teaching should be valued; test-takers should increase their reading amount, and teachersshould enhance the teaching of analytical reading.