Preface Aurhor's preface SFCTION I Survey 1 Testing, testing…What is a language test? Understanding language testing Types of test Test purpose The criterion The test-criterion relationship Conclusion 2 Communication and the design oflanguage tests Discrete point tests Integrative and pragmatic tests Communicative language tests Models ofcommunicative ability Conclusion 3 The testing cycle Understanding the constraints Test content Test method Authenticity of response Fixed and constructed response formats Test specifications Test rrials Conclusion 4 The ratlng process Establishing a rating procedure The problem with raters Establishing a framework for making judgemenrs Rating scales Holistic and analytic ratings Rater training Conclusion 5 Valldlty:testing the test Threats to test validity Tesr content Test method and rest construct The impact of tests Conclusion 6 Measurement Introduction Measurement Quality control for raters Investigating the properties of individual test items Norm-referenced and criterion-referenced measurement New approaches to measurement Conclusion 7 The soclalcharacter oflanguage tests Intfoduction The institurional character of assessment Assessment and social policy Assessment and educational policy The social responsibility of the language tester Ethical language testing Accountabiliry Washback Test impact Codes of professional ethics for language testers Critical language testing Conclusion 8 New directions-and dilemmas?