New procedures for validating proficiency tests of ESP? Theory and practice

Abstract

This paper reports on work in progress on an international project to revise the English Language Testing Service (ELTS) test, currently jointly produced and administered by the British Council and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The project is trying out what it believes are somewhat new approaches to the content validation of the revised test, and both the rationale for this and the details of the procedures for test validation are set out here. It remains to be seen, however, whether such procedures will result in improved construct, concurrent or predictive validity.