Author:
Title:"'Quick Placement Test on CD'"
Publisher:OUP & UCLES
Reviewer:Andrzej Zychla
Reviewer's rating:
Readers' comments


Quick Placement Test (referred to as QPT later on in this review) is a spectacular breakthrough in language testing, successfully matching the most recent developments in testing theory with all the blessings of computer technology. The CD version I chose to evaluate (there is also a corresponding paper and pen version available should access to computers be limited) makes use of the unique Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT) technique, which enables the program to adjust automatically to the language level of the takers (utilizing the knowledge gained from their previous responses). The CD contains banks of items (activities) ordered by difficulty. If the taker fails a question, he is then given an easier one; if he succeeds, he gets a harder one. This procedure saves a lot of time (one test can be taken in 15-20 minutes, though no time limits are imposed on the testee) and the complicated statistical formulae can still assure reliability. QPT was initially validated by more than 5,000 students in 20 countries, and the on-going validation encourages supervisors to share test results with the test makers to make it even more reliable.

The results of the test are available in either an Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) level or points (out of 100). The ALTE level can be translated easily (thanks to the Chart of Equivalent Levels) into:

a) Council of Europe specifications
b) Cambridge Examination levels.

The program offers a special password-protected mode for supervisors in which they can customize the following elements:

  • the amount of personal information they want to obtain from the takers (it is stored on the hard drive and can be accessed from the supervisor mode)
  • the language of instruction (nine options available)
  • whether to make the test results known to the testee (test results are by default available only to supervisors).

    QPT checks listening, reading and use of English (including grammar and vocabulary), mostly through multiple choice or cloze formats (suggestions for assessing writing and speaking can be found in the manual). The program can be installed on standalone computers or on networks, which means that more than one student can take the test at the same time (in the latter case each taker is given different items to analyse).

    The little problems I noticed while evaluating the program were:

  • it did not allow me to choose the drive or directory in which to install the program
  • Polish characters did not show properly (in the supervisor mode one enters certain institutional data and testees provide some basic personal info at the beginning of each test)
  • Polish was not one of the nine languages (or language varieties) available to users in the help mode (the help mode can be run either before the test starts or accessed later on through a special button while taking the test). I do believe that some of the above will be considered in the forthcoming versions of the program.

    A much more serious issue I encountered while evaluating the program was the loss of user counts (strictly connected with the number of times the program can be run) after I had to re-format the disk and re-install the system. User counts are saved on a floppy (called the Authorisation Disk) - there are 50, 250 and 1000 use disks currently available. All of the counts are transferred to the hard disk during the installation stage (it is possible to retrieve some/all of them later on). Since my hard disk had crashed before I managed to transfer the remaining counts to the floppy, I lost all of them. The good thing was, though, that after I had got in touch with the on-line help, I was immediately offered a free replacement (it was a very prompt reply, I must say). I believe that it would be safer if the uses were gradually 'debited' from the floppy rather than all transferred to the hard drive at the beginning. Accidents do happen, even if the machine meets the minimum system requirements!

    I do recommend the programme to schools, educational institutions and individual teachers for the following reasons:

  • it is easy to install and run and really user-friendly; the interface is simple but appealing; the user manual is detailed and on-line help is available (see the link below); it can be installed on a number of computers and on a network, and accessed by more than one user
  • its assessment is quick and accurate (the result is available immediately after the test has been taken), allowing the placement of many takers in appropriate groups relatively quickly
  • the test is fun to take, as it checks various skills in a variety of ways
  • testees can find out instantly (thanks to the Chart of Equivalent Levels) what their current level is and which of the Cambridge Exams they should be able to pass; teachers can assign students to appropriate groups quickly and accurately and deal with late-comers (joining groups in the middle of the course).

    Additional information:
    http://www.oup.com/elt/global/isbn/7162 - follow the link to find out more about the programme (links to additional information and frequently asked questions can be found on that webpage). NOTE: If your browser directs you to the main OUP page and prompts you to choose the country you are from, follow the link to the ELT International Site at the bottom.

    If you have any questions about the program or this review:

  • get in touch with qpt@ucles.org.uk (customer support and information) or
  • write the author of this review: zychla@poczta.onet.pl.

    System requirements for QPT: Pentium PC with a minimum of 16 MB RAM, Microsoft Windows 95 or above, sound card, CD-ROM drive (at least 8 x transfer rate), 10 MB free hard disk space (if the program is run from the hard drive, then at least 650 MB of free space are necessary).

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