DISCREET POINT AND INTEGRATIVE (GLOBAL) TESTING

Discrete Point tests are based on an analytical view of language. This is where language is divided up so that components of it may be tested. Discrete point tests aim to achieve a high reliability factor by testing a large number of discrete items. From these separated parts, you can form an opinion is which is then applied to language as an entity.  You may recognise some of the following Discrete Point tests:

1.      Phoneme recognition.

2.      Yes/No, True/ False answers.

3.      Spelling.

4.      Word completion.

5.      Grammar items.

6.      Most multiple choice tests.

Such tests have a down side in that they take language out of context and usually bear no relationship to the concept or use of whole language.

Integrative tests

 In order to overcome the above defect, you should consider Integrative/Global tests. Such tests usually require the testees to demonstrate simultaneous control over several aspects of language, just as they would in real language use situations. Examples of Integrative/Global tests that you may be familiar with include:

1.      Cloze tests

2.      Dictation

3.      Translation

4.      Essays and other coherent writing tasks

5.      Oral interviews and conversation

6.      Reading, or other extended samples of real text

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