A Content Validity Study On Netem Cloze Test(2005-2009)

National Entrance Test of English for MA/MS (hereinafter referred to as NETEM) candidates is one of the compulsory subjects set for universities and research institutions to enroll master degree candidates (non-English majors) and also an important measurement of screening. As a large-scale, nation-wide socialized test, it exerts considerable impact on test takers and universities, etc. Furthermore, to ensure the exact judgment of candidates' proficiency in English and the positive backwash on their learning, it is of great importance to guarantee a high validity. However, little research on NETEM cloze test is carried out. Therefore, this paper tentatively conducts the content validity study of the cloze items in NETEM.In light of Bachman & Palmer's framework of task characteristics (1999), with the help of testing syllabuses, cloze test theories and findings of relevant validity studies, a more practical framework for content validation of NETEM cloze test (Use of English) is built in this thesis, which involves the characteristics of the input, the expected response and their relationship. Based on the framework, this thesis conducts content validity analysis of NETEM cloze tests from 2005 to 2009.The study shows that NETEM cloze test has a fairly high content validity. The major findings of the present study show that there is high correspondence between the characteristics of input, expected response and their relationship of NETEM cloze test and the relevant testing syllabuses in the aspects of text length, genre and topic, grammar, vocabulary and cohesion, etc.Meanwhile, the study also highlights some problems:the type of items in cloze test is too limited. The type of genre presented in cloze test is quite limited. No specific time limit for this part, it would be difficult to achieve due purpose. The findings are practical and constructive. This article concludes with how to improve the quality of cloze test in NETEM, which may help the future design of the test. It is hoped that this thesis will have certain practical significance for the development and improvement of foreign language testing in China.