The effectiveness of the general aptitude test in Saudi Arabia in predicting performance of English as a foreign language

Abdulhameed Aldurayheem

PSU Research Review, 2022, vol. 8, issue 2, 341-355

Abstract: Purpose - This study examines the test's predictive validity of English language performance and compares test constructs to identify the most effective predictors of English language performance. Design/methodology/approach - Data were collected and analysed from test scores of students enrolled in the foundation year (N = 84) and level 2 (N = 127) in the faculty of English at a Saudi university using correlation and regression tests. Findings - The findings revealed that the General Aptitude Test (GAT) is effective in predicting English performance for students in level 2 and that the error detection task is the most effective predictor of performance in English reading. Practical implications - The study provides support for the validity of the GAT as a university admission requirement for English language courses in the Arabic-speaking world. Originality/value - This study examines the GAT's power using a fine-grained approach by deriving scores from its breakdown constructs to predict the performance of English skills at the university level.

Keywords: University admission tests; The general aptitude test; Cross-linguistic influence; Interdependence and threshold hypotheses; Transfer in reading; Language aptitude (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:prrpps:prr-01-2021-0002

DOI: 10.1108/PRR-01-2021-0002

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