Examination of the Grade 2 EIKEN Test Items

Focusing on CEFR Levels, Achievement Goals, and Washback Effects

Abstract

This study examined the test items of the Grade 2 EIKEN test. It investigated whether the test items of the Grade 2 EIKEN test matched the guidelines describing the achievements of learners issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) as well as the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels. The washback of the test items was also examined. The results indicated that overall, the test items of each skill matched approximately to the B1 level of t he C EFR. R egarding t he washback effects, various types of questions for each skill indicated positive washback effects. Reading and listening skills were tested with various types of passages and questions. Word ordering questions were used to examine writing skills. Speaking skills were examined with the use of a face-to-face test, and it was suggested that the aim was to develop communicative skills. The analyses also showed that the Grade 2 EIKEN test matched the guidelines describing the achievements of learners who graduated from high school. The test items matched the reading and listening skills on the basis of background knowledge or inference. The speaking tests, which aimed to examine proper pronunciation and the ability to state own opinions, also matched the guidelines. It was suggested that including a task that required learners’ output might improve the test items. However, there is a need for improvement, especially considering the practicality of the test as the EIKEN test is a large-scale test with a large number of test takers.