Validity Argument for Professional Language Assessment: Evaluating ‘PPSC Test for Recruitment to the Post of Lecturer English’

Authors

  • Memona Mujahid PhD Scholar, Department of English, International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Dr. Nighat Shakur Professor, Department of English, International Islamic University Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2024(8-I)40

Keywords:

Language Test, Lecturer English, PPSC, Professional Assessment, Recruitment, Validity Argument

Abstract

The current research aims to evaluate the validity of the Recruitment Test for Lecturer English (RTLE) conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC). The test scores are used to allocate subject experts to teach the English language at degree colleges in Punjab. The inclusion of inappropriate and insufficient content leads to invalid test development and unfair decisions. The researcher follows a mixed-method approach focusing on quantitative data analysis of the five PPSC-RLTEs held between 2013 and 2022. The theories of language test validity informed the validity argument and guided the researcher to devise a tailored analytical framework. The quantitative data analysis and comparison of five tests reveal that it under-represents certain areas of language and exhibits inter-test and intra-test inconsistency. The findings suggest that the test is not entirely accurate for assessing candidates’ language proficiency and predicting their language ability. The study recommends further research to investigate the reliability of the same test and recruitment tests for other subjects.

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Published

2024-02-12

Details

    Abstract Views: 182
    PDF Downloads: 51

How to Cite

Mujahid, M., & Shakur, N. (2024). Validity Argument for Professional Language Assessment: Evaluating ‘PPSC Test for Recruitment to the Post of Lecturer English’. Pakistan Languages and Humanities Review, 8(1), 441–458. https://doi.org/10.47205/plhr.2024(8-I)40