TESTING TECHNIQUES OF ASSESSING FOREIGN LANGUAGE READING IN THE UNIFIED ENTRANCE EXAM (UEE) AND INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING SYSTEM (IELTS)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/gph2026.858-859.145-155Keywords:
testing techniques, assessing reading, Unified Entrance Examination (UEE), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), reading strategiesAbstract
The article highlights test methods for assessing reading in the Unified Entrance Examination (UEE) for master's studies in Ukraine and compares them with the test tasks for assessing reading in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A description of reading strategies that ensure successful passing of the test is provided. The study is based on a complex of theoretical and methodological research methods including methods of analysis and synthesis, descriptive and comparative methods. The article explores the Reading section of the Unified Entrance Examination test which has two test formats – matching tasks and multiple choice tasks to check the understanding of text details. The IELTS Reading section covers a variety of test formats. In addition to the matching tasks and multiple-choice questions, which are common with IELTS and UEE, the IELTS structure also includes such test formats as identifying information as true or false, identifying the writer’s views/claims, sentence completion, notes, summary, table, flowchart completion, labeling a diagram, and short answer questions. The IELTS matching test method embraces three subtypes: matching headings, matching features, and matching sentence endings. To successfully complete both tests, candidates should have experience with reading strategies such as reading for general comprehension to quickly familiarize themselves with the text in order to determine the main idea; searching for details and key words in the text to answer specific questions; and recognizing paraphrases to find equivalents and synonyms. We advocate the prospect of further research in clarifying the possibilities of integrating test methods and tasks of international English language exams into university educational programs.
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