A Study on Short-answer-question Format in Testing EFL Learners' L2 Reading Ability

Abstract

This study investigated the substitutability of short-answer-question (SAQ) format for multiple-choice-question (MCQ) format in measuring EFL learners' L2 reading ability and the existence of differences in SAQ format test-taking strategy use among different reading ability groups. A total of 120 Korean high school students were asked to take a 7-question SAQ format reading test and then, immediately after answering each item, write down anything that they thought were going on in their mind when trying to give the answer, i.e., test-taking strategies. The study revealed that SAQ format could be used as an effective alternative to MCQ format with its stronger construct validity in assessing EFL test-takers' reading comprehension ability and learners with poor reading skill could benefit from instruction of SAQ format test-taking strategies, though tentatively and restrictedly.