Examination System

Setting and Pretesting

1.1 Selection of materials

Item writers are commissioned to select material from a wide range of sources according to the examination specifications and the components of the examinations.

1.2 Test item writing

Item writers are practising teachers and language specialists. There is a group of item writers for each test and an appointed Examination specialist in charge of the group. The items are written by individual team members and then subjected to vetting and editing by the whole team. The Examination specialist supervises the process of item writing and test construction. Guidance is given to each team member of the item writing team. A Development Group made up of experts on language teaching and language testing ensures the quality of tests.

1.3 Pretesting

Material for reading comprehension, listening comprehension and grammar and vocabulary components are pretested. The results are statistically analysed and the accepted items are stored in an bank. When a new examination is constructed, items are selected for it from the item bank.

Marking

2.1 Process

Practising teachers and language specialists trained as examiners mark the written component. Examiners can contact the Examination specialist to discuss problems. Oral components are assessed by two examiners. Objective components will be marked mechanically (by computer). The answers of the oral part will be recorded on an audiotape by the local examiner and will be assessed by two raters, by the local examiner and at the NEQC. The scripts in the written component will be marked by two raters at the NEQC. Raters will be qualified teachers of Estonian. Detailed marking scales pertaining to a number of writing and speaking tasks will be used.

2.2 Training

Training courses are organised periodically. During the training assessments and marking are discussed and evaluated on the basis of selected sample scripts and training videos and then compared by those given by the examiners.

2.3 Monitoring the raters

The NEQC research staff will regularly check random samples of marked examinations and provide the raters with feedback. From time to time, raters will be asked to re-mark each other's work, and any significant differences will be discussed with marks being adjusted if necessary. One staff member will be accountable for the quality of the marking done for writing tasks and the oral component.

Examination results

Results will be in the form of a pass or no-pass mark. Certificates are issued thirty days after taking the examination.

Security

During each stage of the examination, precautions are to be taken to ensure maximum security. The examinations are to be dispatched in sealed envelopes that can be opened one hour before the examinations are to be administered. All examination papers, even if unused, must be returned to the NEQC.