A Comparative Washback Study Of CET-SET6, IELTS And TOEFL IBT Speaking Tests: Evidence From Test-takers' Perspectives

The College English Test Band 6(CET6)is a nationwide English proficiency test which aims to measure English language proficiency of university students in China.IELTS and TOEFL iBT(TOEFL)are internationalized language proficiency tests that intend to provide qualification of English-language proficiency for non-native speakers.Being a part of the three tests,speaking test is increasingly concerned nowadays.Although CET-6,IELTS and TOEFL iBT are all large-scale and high-stakes tests,comparative studies on the washback of the three speaking tests have been scarcely conducted before.This study compares the washback of CET-SET6,IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests on test takers regarding test takers' perceptions and their test preparation processes.The theoretical framework of the present study incorporates expectancy-value theory(Jacob & Eccles,2000),modifies Hughes'(1993)“Participants-Processes-Products” and Xie's(2010)washback model and proposes a new model.Test takers' perceptions are investigated in terms of perceptions of test use,perceptions of test design,task expectancy and subjective task values.Test takers' test preparation processes are explored in terms of time investment and test preparation practices.This study employs a mixed methods design,which includes two phases.In Phase1,quantitative data are collected from questionnaires.A total of 118 CET-SET6 test takers,103 IELTS test takers and 87 TOEFL iBT test takers participated in this phase.In Phase 2,nine CET-SET6 test takers,six IELTS test takers and four TOEFL i BT test takers are involved in the semi-structured interview.The major findings of the present study are as follows:Firstly,there are similarities and differences among test-takers' perceptions of CET-SET6,IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests.As for perceptions of test use,CET-SET6 test takers have significantly stronger instrument-oriented test use while test takers of IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests have stronger achievement-oriented test use.As for perceptions of test design,test-takers all hold positive attitudes toward the three speaking tests,among which test takers have the most positive evaluations on the IELTS speaking test.As for task expectancy,TOEFL iBT test takers have significantly higher self-efficacy and expectations on test result than IELTS and CET-SET6 testtakers.As for subjective task values,test takers of all the three speaking tests agree that the tests exert more positive values than negative ones.However,they hold more positive attitudes towards IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests than CET-SET6.Secondly,there are also similarities and differences among test-takers' preparation processes of CET-SET6,IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests.In terms of time investment,IELTS and TOEFL iBT test takers spend longer time on preparing for the speaking test than CET-SET6 test takers do.In terms of test preparation practices,CET-SET6 test takers are more likely to conduct language skill development practices while IELTS and TOEFL iBT test takers carry out drilling and social affective practices more frequently during the preparation processes.Based on the findings,this study provides empirical evidence from test takers for the washback study of CET-SET6,IELTS and TOEFL iBT speaking tests,and puts forward suggestions to test designers and administrators,teachers and students.Meanwhile,it is hoped to offer references for future comparative studies in terms of theory and methodology.