Lessons Learnt from Vetting English Examination Papers

Abstract

In many a teaching institution, teachers apart from teaching, are given the responsibility of setting examinations. Generally a teacher is made responsible for the preparation, editing and typing of her own paper.

We, in the University of Malaya, have "indulged" in vetting sessions. This means that after the paper is set by an individual or two, it is then reviewed by other members of the teaching team. Members will then make comments regarding the nature, type, wording, format etc. of the questions and these suggestions, if accepted, will have to be incorporated in a revamped paper. Provided the suggestions are not to belittle the writer or antagonize him, and if the suggestions are accepted in the same spirit, that is, that the ultimate goal is~ a good product, a valid and reliable test, the vetting session can result in a lot of learning of good habits and unlearning of poor test habits even for the most experienced of teachers.

It is the objective of this paper to record the kind of errors made, which were pointed out at the vetting sessions and consequently to set forth some general guidelines for the setting of ESP test papers. These guidelines resulted from the discussions during the vetting sessions.