Effectiveness of Test-Retest Method to Measure the Reliability of the Test Items

Abstract

The ultimate goal of this study is to determine the effectiveness oftest retest method to measure the reliability of the test items. The analysisand findings of this study is based on the performance of the students ofthe grade ten marks secured by the students in the both first time andsecond time administered test and researcher himself on the basis of thevarious journals, articles, books and self preparing devices. The major findings of the study are; subjective test items lacks thereliability but objective test items are much more reliable. Thecompetence and performance level of the students varies from school toschool. Due to the unclear instruction students could not do better inexam. Students are interested and easily solve the textual test items butthey lack the consistency in non-textual test items. It was found that the question paper is designed beyond the limitedcourse so while preparing test items, the limitationshould be with in thedesigned course. It can be concluded that piloting or sampling test iscompulsory before administering the real test. So that all level, interest,competence and performance of the students can be addressed. To makethe test items more reliable TM should be focused rather than NTM. Inorder to make the test items more reliable other methods should beapplied like: alternative, split half and internal consistency. So that puretest items can be designed. While designing the test items purpose of thetest should be clear so that a test can be measured what it is expected totest. It can be concluded that gender should be equally address so that allboys and girls can express their performance freely. It means test itemsshould not be paradoxical and gender bias. Special trainings and 9 workshops are required for the teacher so that test items design can beuniformity. The existing study consists of four chapters. The first chapter deals with the introduction of the study. Itincludes the general background, ELT in Nepal, teaching and testing,teaching and testing English in Nepal, validity and reliability, test retestmethod review of related literature, objectives of the study andsignificance of the study. The second chapter deals withmethodology applied to carry outthis research by the researcher. The third chapter is an analysis and interpretation of the markssecured by the students of the grade ten to find out the effectiveness ofthe test retest method. Mostly this chapter is divided into three sections.The first section deals with the analysis of the student's performance andmarks secured in the first and second time administered test. The secondchapter deals with comparative analysis of the researcher. The endsection deals with the researcher's own analysis. The fourth chapter is related with the findings derived from theanalysis and interpretation of the data. Mainly objective questions aremore reliable than subjective questions. Finally, some recommendations are made for further improving thetest items. Some insights are also give to improve test items as well as todesign the reliable test items.