Page 298 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Educational Measurement and Evaluation

Notes 1. Oral Tests : Those tests in which the questions from the examinees are asked orally and
the examinees have to answer orally are called oral tests. Such tests are generally
comprised of short-answer and objective-type questions.
The aim of teaching a subject is not limited to impart knowledge of the related facts,
it is also taught to bring about a change in the thinking and working style of the
students. And its measurement is done by oral tests. These tests are used for ascertaining
their knowledge and practical use of linguistic abilities (pronunciation, lecture,
expression style), their confidence and their knowledge of other subjects. The chief
characteristic of these tests is that the examiner and the examinee are face-to-face with
each other, so the examiner gets an opportunity to know the personal qualities of the
examinees.

These tests are subject to some shortcomings as well. First, the examiner can test only
one student at one time which requires much energy and time. Second, these tests are
subjective in nature and marking depends upon the examiner to a great extent. Third,
change of behaviour as a whole, as a result of teaching of various subjects cannot be
measured correctly. Fourth, the practical aspects of art and science subjects cannot be
measured by these tests. Fifth and the last, these tests greatly depend on the ability and
honesty of the examiners.
It is evident that these tests should be made use of for measurement of students’
pronunciation skill, linguistic ability, fearlessness, confidence and general knowledge
of various subjects and their practice in life. But these tests can be beneficial only if they
are executed honestly. Moreover, these tests should be used only in those subjects where
it is necessary.
2. Written Tests : The tests in which the examinees are given questions in written form and
which they respond in writing, are called written tests. In these tests any types of questions
can be asked as essay-type, short-answer-type and objective-type. So it is necessary to
discuss them independently which we have done in the succeeding paragraphs.
3. Practical Tests : The tests in which the measurement of skills and activities of the students
is executed by asking them to display the skill or activity are called practical tests; such
as asking a child to sing a song in order to measure his proficiency in singing. Practical
tests are used for the measurement of practical skills and knowledge in art, music,
science and other practical subjects.
The chief characteristic of practical tests is that the practical aspect of the examinees is
measured. These tests alone can test the practical knowledge of arts and science. If a
doctor or engineer is not tested as such, a flaw in his theoretical knowledge may create
havoc.
But these tests have their own limitations. First, we cannot correctly measure the
theoretical knowledge and emotional aspect of a person by these tests. Second, their
execution needs comparatively more energy and time. Moreover, these too have been
embraced in the ambit of immorality.
However, the practical skills can be tested only by practical tests. The need is of course to
improve these tests. There is only one advice worth giving—the examiners should work
honestly.
(III) Classification on the Basis of Material Used

The tests are classified into two types on the basis of material used in them, which are :
1. Verbal Tests : This type of tests includes those tests in which words or language are used
which may be written or oral. Such tests are mostly used in the field of education.
2. Non-Verbal Tests : This type of tests includes those tests in which words or language are
not used, rather scenery, symbols, signs, pictures, etc are made use of these tests are used

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