DEVELOPMENT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST

FOR GRADE 7 BASED ON ITEM RESONSE THEORY

Baligua Unis

PhD Scholar, Lahore College for Women, University Lahore, Email: baliguaunis@gmail.com

Dr. Ghazala Noureen

Associate Professor, Department of Secondary Education, Lahore College for Women, University Lahore, Email: g_noureen@yahoo.com

Dr. Tahseen Arshad

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Secondary Education, Lahore College for Women, University Lahore, Email: Tahseen.arshad91@yahoo.com

Abstract 

This article is based on PhD research project. One of the objectives was to develop a standardized English language test for grade seven students in Pakistan. National curriculum of English language in Pakistan is based on five competencies i.e. reading and thinking skills, writing skills, oral communication skills, formal and lexical aspects of language, appropriate ethical and social development. This test was developed on competencies that can be assessed through paper pencil test. Researcher constructed 90 items initially. Test was sent to five experts for content validation. Reading, writing and lexical aspects were selected to measure. The test was pilot tested on 365 students of Grade 7. The psychometric properties of these items were calculated through IRT and items were selected while keeping in view their psychometric properties.

Keywords:  English Language Proficiency, Item Response Theory, Grade 7