Chapter Four Testing Specifications (考试规范的制定),I. What are the test specifications According to Alderson et al ( 2001, p 9) , testing specification is defined as “ to provide the official statement about what the test tests and how it tests it. The specifications are the blueprint to be followed by test and item writers, and they are also essential in the establishment of the tests construct validity.”,Deriving from this is another definition : the test syllabus. They can be used sometimes interchangeably, like in UK examinations boards. However there is still slight difference between them.,II. The difference between test specifications and test syllabus.,A test specification: a detailed document, and focuses on internal purposes only. Sometimes it is confidential to the examining body. It is for the test developers and those who need to evaluate whether a test has met its aims or not.,A test syllabus: a public document , often much simplified ，indicates to test users what the test will contain. It is directed more to teachers and students who wish to prepare for the test; people who need to make decisions on the basis of test scores and publishers who wish to produce materials related to the test.,IV. What should the test specification look like?,1.The test purpose 2.Description of the test taker 3.Test level 4.Construct theoretical framework for test 5.Description of suitable language course or textbook. 6.Number of sections/papers 7.Time of for each sections 8.Text-type 9.Text-length,10.Language skills to be tested 11.Language elements to be tested 12.Test tasks 13.Test methods 14.Rubrics 15.Criteria for marking 16.Description of typical performance at each level 17.Description of what candidates at each level can do in the real world 18. Sample papers 19. Sample of students performance on tasks.,Classroom tasks for students : How can we draw up very scientific and standard test specifications ?,Imagine you have been asked to give a test for some people who will enter the primary school to be the English teacher temporarily for one term, the students will be grade two. How can you use the test specifications checklists to write a test specification for them,What have you got from the lesson today?,