ABSTRACT

Test preparation has been shown to affect educational test scores to varying degrees. In language testing, however, there are no cross-regional studies that consider the effects of gender and age on test preparation practices. This study represents an attempt to remedy this situation. Questionnaire respondents to a global survey were tasked with indicating their preferences for test support activities by rank ordering twelve options identified by the research team. Respondents were then grouped into three geographical areas: East and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Central and South America. Results of Principal Components Analysis indicated that there does not appear to be a hugely different approach or preference to test preparation across the globe. While there are some differences in how important the different elements are seen in different regions, it is likely that similar preparation materials and strategies will be applicable regardless of the region.

摘要

考试准备已显示出不同程度地影响教育考试成绩。但是，在语言测试中，没有跨区域的研究考虑性别和年龄对考试准备实践的影响。这项研究是试图纠正这种情况的尝试。一项针对全球调查的问卷调查者的任务是通过对研究团队确定的十二种选择进行排名，以表明他们对测试支持活动的偏好。然后将受访者分为三个地理区域：东亚和东南亚，中东和北非以及中美洲和南美洲。主成分分析的结果表明，在全球范围内似乎没有很大不同的方法或测试准备。