Errors in the tests

[Yankee]

I think this thread is a good example of what is missing in a great many of the tests:
http://www.english-test.net/forum/
I think this sentence ought to be reviewed and discussed so that a reasonable alternative can be found. To me, it should not simply be left as it is.

There are differences between British English and American English (and also other forms of English). I think a peer review of the tests prior to the publication of each test would accomplish a number of things:

- Most (if not all) of the simple typos could be spotted and cleaned up in advance.

- Other sorts of errors could also be cleaned up in advance.

- When discrepancies in usage arise, these could be discussed and settled in advance.

- Increase the quality and credibility of the tests.

This site states that one of its goals is to 'promote English as a means of international communication'. However, if a particular test claims that a common American usage is incorrect, then this site does NOT support "international" English, but rather only a single "dialect" of English. Unless you specifically mention that you are testing "British English only", you are giving incorrect and misleading information to test takers in situations such as these, and thus the test cannot be viewed as 'international' or even 'correct'. Obviously, the same would be true of a test that categorizes a common British usage as incorrect.

In my opinion, differences in usage ought to be discussed and an appropriate solution found in advance. It seems to me that pointing out typos, discrepancies and misinformation only after a test has been published does not help the credibility of the tests. Obviously, most people are not experts in multiple versions of English, so it would make sense to have someone who speaks a different "version" of English do the peer review of a test.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

[Mister Micawber]

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This verb should be in the subjunctive: ...the doctor recommended that he move...
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yankee]

[Yankee]

[Yankee]

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic5723.html#investigators_vs_invigilators
This test sentence (9) is another that apparently tests British usage and doesn't accept the American equivalent (proctor).

In the same test (sentence 2), 'fitting room' and 'dressing room' are both rejected in favor of 'cubicle'. This seems to be another AmE-BE difference. (I thought there had been some recent discussion about using 'cubicle' in this sentence, but I can't find it now. Was it deleted?)
http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic568.html#cubicle_whats_wrong_with_cabin
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Yankee]

http://www.english-test.net/esl/learn/english/grammar/ii274/esl-test.php
The comma in sentence 8 definitely needs to be removed.
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"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Torsten]

Hi Amy,

Many thanks for your suggestions, it would be great if you could post them in the ESL Tests forum using the "Teacher's Explanation" button next to each test sentence. This will make it easier for us to keep track of your suggestions. As for the changes you suggested, we have made them in our database and they will go online after our next update.

Thanks a lot,
Torsten

TOEIC listening, talks: Clothing store promotion

[Mister Micawber]

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I cannot find a 'Teacher's Explanation' button at that link, Torsten.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

Hi Charles,

Every single test question contains such a button. A user clicks on it, posts their question on the forum so you can answer it. You can try it out yourself by going to one of the tests.

TOEIC short conversations: Personal assistant updates her boss on his current agenda.

[Mister Micawber]

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Sorry, Torsten-- I still don't see a button called 'Teacher's Explanation'.

1-- I follow your link above to the forum.
2-- I open a random thread which includes a student's inquiry about a test question.
3-- I click on the blue question link and get the test page with the 10 questions.

Some questions have a 'Click here for Explanation' button which takes me back to a forum thread answering some previous student's inquiry. Other questions have a 'Do you have a Question?' button which opens up a message box for the student.

That's all I can find. What am I missing?
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

Yes Charles, the exact name of the button is 'Click here for Explanation'. That's what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

TOEIC short conversations: A business man phones to say he will be late for a presentation.

[Mister Micawber]

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OK, but how is that a good place to give notice of a typographical or other error in a test question? It just adds a post to a previous thread started by a student. That is how we began advising of errors, and nothing was corrected because test writers do not check those threads.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Torsten]

Hi Charles,

We have corrected every typo or punctuation error that has been pointed out by a user on the forum. The most effective way of notifying us is to use the explanation button next to each question because then your message is directly added to the sentence the error occurred in.

TOEIC short conversations: Employee congratulates co-worker on his job promotion.

[Mister Micawber]

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OK, then..., but I think that that is the way this long thread started in the first place, Torsten-- they weren't getting fixed.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's