Washback-based Approach of the Achievement Test in Assessing the Learning Process

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of the achievement test results on developing the EFL learning process. The study adopts experimental and descriptive methods to analyze and verify the results in which frequencies, percentages, means and their standard deviation were used. The analysis was carried out through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) technique. The study sample comprises (30) students of first-year secondary school in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia who have been exposed to the test and (30) teachers of EFL in Saudi Arabia who responded to the questionnaire. Two tools have been used for collecting data relevant to the study, namely (pre/post) test to the students and a questionnaire to the teachers of English as a foreign language. These tools were judged by arbitrators and provided answers to the research questions and hypotheses. The researcher designed a specific teaching plan aiming at improving the learners' language knowledge. For carrying out the plan, all available techniques, teaching materials and aids were exploited during the plan. The results have shown great improvements in the performance of learners and the study has come up with findings that revealed the impact of test on assessing the EFL learning process. The study offered some recommendations and suggestions for further studies that will encourage EFL learners to be aware of the positive and negative influence of test