The effect of unit tests on language development

Abstract

The purposes of the present study were to: 1) investigate the impact of frequent assessment in the form of unit test on the midterm and final scores of the learners, 2) examine the relationship between the unit test scores and the midterm and final tests scores, 3) investigate the impact of frequent testing on leaners retention ability, and 4) explore the learners' perception on frequent testing. Fifty Thai vocational students were recruited for the study. They were divided into two groups of 25 students each; the experimental and controlled group. A total of ten unit tests following each unit of the course were administered to the participants in the experimental group. Subsequently, feedback was given to the participants on test items. The controlled group neither received any unit tests nor the feedback. Then, both groups were administered the midterm and final tests. Two weeks after the treatment, both groups were administered a retention test. A 50-item questionnaire was also administered to find out participants' perception of frequent testing. A descriptive analysis such as mean, standard deviation and t-value of paired sample t-tests were used to compare the midterm, final and retention mean scores of subject groups. The result of the study showed a significant increase in the midterm, final and retention scores of the experimental group. The scores of the midterm and final tests of the two groups were significantly different at 0.05 level, and at 0.01 for retention. The study also revealed a strong positive relationship between the experimental group's unit test scores and the midterm and final tests scores. In addition, participants in the experimental group gave positive response to frequent testing. In short, there is a positive impact on the performance of students when the frequent assessment is conducted.