Necessary requirements in successful test administration

The best test may give unreliable and invalid results if it is not well administered. Improper administration can cause entire groups to perform at less than their maximum effectiveness and thus invalidate inter group comparisons. The administrators, therefore, will have to bear in mind a set of points when administering a test. Even though most of the points will be very obvious, some of them can be forgotten without a list of this kind to refer to.

The key to successful test administration is careful advance preparation. In particular, attention should be given to the followings:

Materials and equipments:

1.      Organise the printing of test booklets and answer sheets in plenty of time. Check that there are no errors or any faulty preparation.

2.      If previously used booklets are to be employed, check that there are no marks left by candidates.

3.      Number all the materials; this permits greater security before, during and after test administration.

4.      Check that there are sufficient keys for scorers and that these are free from errors.

5.      Check all equipments are in good working order.

Examiners:

6.      Detailed instructions should be prepared for all examiners. The examiners should go

     through these instructions at least the day before the test is administered.

7.      Examiners should practise directions which they will have to read out to candidates.

8.      Examiners who will have to use equipment should familiarize themselves with its operation.

9.      Examiners who have to read aloud for a listening test should practise preferably with a model tape-recording.

10.  Oral examiners must be thoroughly familiar with the test procedures and rating system to be used.

Invigilators:

11.  Detailed instructions should also be prepared for invigilators.

Candidates:

12.  Every candidate should be given full instructions.

13.  There should be an examination number for each candidate.

Rooms:

14.  Quiet and large rooms should be chosen to accommodate comfortably the intended

      number of candidates.

15.  For listening tests, the rooms must have satisfactory auditory qualities.

16.  The layout of the rooms should be arranged well in advance.

17.  There should be a clock visible to all in every room.

Administration:

18.  Candidates should be required to arrive well before the intended starting time for the  test.

19.  Candidates arriving late should not be admitted to the room. If it is reasonable and thought appropriate, they may be redirected to another room.

20.  The identity of candidates should be checked.

21.  If possible, candidates should be seated serially to prevent copying.

22.  The examiner should give clear instructions to the candidates about what they are required to do during the test time.

23.  Once the test is in progress, invigilators should monitor the behaviour of the candidates.

24.  During the test, the candidates should be allowed to leave the room only one at a time.

25.  When the testing time is exactly up, invigilators should ensure that candidates stop work immediately and all the materials have been collected.