PRINCIPLES FOR DEVISING A READING COMPREHENSION TEST: A LIBRARY BASED REVIEW

Abstract

This study aimed to review principles for devising reading comprehension tests. It focused on
format, duration, marking and tasks for the development of reading comprehension tests. For this
purpose, the material was downloaded from online sources including web search engines,
databases and journals which comprised of a number of books, research articles and power point
presentations that were read and relevant information was extracted in a separate MS word file.
In this process, Mendeley Desktop was also utilized to locate most relevant information from
different articles and books. The data were searched with help of keywords. Other than
keywords, the information was gathered by typing questions and phrases in the search bars of the
aforesaid databases and web search engines. To have an overview of the current practices
regarding reading comprehension tests, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and GRE tests were also
reviewed and through this process, different points of similarities and dissimilarities were
observed. Through this process, it came to know that reading comprehension tests were very
important since, they measured varied aspects of the reading skill. It also unveiled certain facts,
strengths and weaknesses of the reading tests. Plus, the study explored certain principles and
suggested that reading tests should be devised in the light of those principles