CEFR and CSE comparability study: An exploration using the Chinese College English Test and the LanguageCert Test of English

Abstract

This paper outlines how different studies can be brought together to reveal how two separate examinations, based on different assessment frameworks, may be compared. The paper reports on data obtained from a cohort of a comparatively large sample of Chinese university test-takers who took two separate tests – the Chinese College English Test (CET), which is linked to the descriptive scales of the CSE (China Standards of English) and the LanguageCert Test of English (LTE) linked to the descriptive assessment framework of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). In addition to the test-taking, two further studies were conducted. Analysis indicated that it was possible to make reasonably definitive pronouncements about the comparability of the two frameworks in reading and language use. The findings contribute to the assessment research literature in that they provide relevant stakeholders with a means of comparing performances on either the LTE (linked to the CEFR scale) or the Chinese CET (linked to the CSE framework).These findings are particularly valuable for western institutions of higher education who, when considering the admission of Chinese students, postgraduate or other, are presented with CET results based on the CSE framework and LTE results based on the CEFR framework.