A key concern of washback research in language testing is with the value of test preparation for facilitating learning and improving test performance. Although test takers may draw on a wide range of preparation activities, the majority of research studies examining test preparation have taken place in classroom settings, leaving self-access approaches largely unexamined. The aim of the current study was to (a) explore possible links between self-access test preparation activities and improved test performance and (b) examine how repeat test takers adjust their test preparation activities from test sitting to test sitting while preparing for the Pearson Test of English (Academic). The study involved the collection and analysis of interviews from 60 recent repeat test takers. The interview data were coded for themes and sub-themes and analyzed for the kind of test preparation activities in which learners engaged, and how these changed over time. The interviews showed that the test takers were strategic in their preparation, by changing their approaches depending on their previous test results. The largest number of significant improvements was identified for speaking, where test takers engaged in a variety of strategies, some of which were construct-irrelevant. The findings are discussed in relation to test validity and washback.

中文翻译：

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利用重复应试者研究考试准备实践及其与分数增长的联系

语言测试中反洗研究的一个关键问题是测试准备对于促进学习和提高测试性能的价值。尽管应试者可能会利用广泛的备考活动，但大多数考查备考的研究都是在课堂环境中进行的，因此自学方法基本上没有得到检验。当前研究的目的是 (a) 探索自学考试准备活动与提高考试成绩之间可能存在的联系，以及 (b) 研究重复考生在准备 Pearson 考试时如何调整他们的考试准备活动，从一次考试到另一次考试。英语测试（学术）。该研究涉及对 60 名近期复试者的采访进行收集和分析。面试数据按主题和子主题进行编码，并分析学习者参与的考试准备活动的类型，以及这些活动如何随时间变化。访谈表明，应试者在准备过程中具有战略性，根据他们之前的测试结果改变了他们的方法。最大数量的显着改进被确定为口语，考生参与了各种策略，其中一些与结构无关。讨论结果与测试有效性和反冲有关。最大数量的显着改进被确定为口语，考生参与了各种策略，其中一些与结构无关。讨论结果与测试有效性和反冲有关。最大数量的显着改进被确定为口语，考生参与了各种策略，其中一些与结构无关。讨论结果与测试有效性和反冲有关。