Effect of Private Tutoring on University Entrance Examination Performance in Turkey

There is an excess demand for university education in Turkey. Highly competitive university entrance examination which rations the available places at university programs is very central to the lives of young people. In order to increase the chances of success of their children in the university entrance examination parents spend large sums of money on private tutoring (dersane) of their children. In this study, we investigate the factors that determine participation in private tutoring and the effect of private tutoring on getting placed at a university program. We further examine the impact of private tutoring on the scores of the applicants in the university entrance examination. The results indicate that controlling for other factors those students who receive private tutoring perform better in the university entrance examination.Private Tutoring, University Entrance Examination Achievement, Turkey

Item transformation for computer asisted language testing: The adaptation of the Spanish University entrance examination

Since the Spanish Educational system is changing and promoting the use of online tests, it was necessary to study the transformation of test items in the ' Spanish University Entrance Examination ' (IB P.A.U.) to diminish the effect of test delivery changes (through its computerization) in order to affect the least the current model. The purpose of this study was to describe and suggest the properties of a new test item taxonomy for the Spanish University Entrance Examination. After a convenient study and piloting by using previous research in computer-based language testing, the researchers created a taxonomy of test items for the I.B. P.A.U

Developing a web-based system to create, deliver and assess language proficiency within the PAULEX Universitas Project

This study aims to examine the feasibility of a number of technical solutions implemented in a web-based system designed for the creation and management of online language exams within PAULEX Universitas, a project for the development of an online platform to design, deliver and assess the foreign language exam within the Spanish national University Entrance Examination. The paper provides an overview of the context and a discussion of current changes in Spanish ministerial policies, followed by a description of the PAULEX testing platform and a discussion on the technological solutions adopted. Lastly, the paper reflects upon a quantitative analysis derived from a pilot experience conducted in Valencia with over 200 students and their respective teachers, the results of which indicate that in spite of the difficulties, the implemented solutions have a high degree of acceptance Keywords: University Entrance Examination; online platform; English exam; assessmen

Differences and similarities between oral and written competence in Spanish pre-university students. A correlation study.

The Foreign Language (FL) section of Spanish University Entrance Examination (EFL-PAU) has had few revisions over the last twenty years. The Spanish government has substituted the old EFL-PAU University Entrance Examination by a high stakes Baccalaureate Final Evaluation. However, further changes are expected in the coming years. Among the most important ones for the Foreign Language Section is a deep and necessary revision with the inclusion of new types of tasks. To try and inform the decisions made for the new Baccalaureate Final Evaluation, this article reports on the quantitative and qualitative analyses conducted thanks to a pilot oral test carried out with 772 recorded candidate performances. Three main goals were established for this research: 1) to find out the most important variables which characterize foreign language learning in secondary school in Spain; 2) to find out if there is any correlation between the oral competence of students at the end of their non-compulsory secondary education (as obtained from the pilot study) and the marks students obtain in the University Entrance Examination (which does not include the oral skill); and 3) to find out any aspects related to EFL teaching and learning which may potentially enhance oral performance. The results of this paper provide rich information on the students? foreign language learning context, the strong correlation between the written and oral competences and the need to pay attention to three variables which foster the development of oral foreign language in secondary school classroomsMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovació

Washback effects of university entrance examination writing tasks on learning and teaching

PDF/A形式により利用可能アクセス:WWWによる東京外国語大学大学院総合国際学研究科博士 (学術) 論文 (2015年2月)博甲第191号参考文献: p152-159その他のタイトルは英文要旨による東京外国語大学 (Tokyo University of Foreign Studies)博士 (学術

“Música em PAS”: music as an evaluation object of the program of serial university entrance examination of University of Brasília (PAS/UnB)

This paper discusses the musical proposal to Program of Serial University Entrance Examination of University of Brasília (PAS/UnB). The discussion is based on author’s participation on elaboration, systematization, and review groups of 2001 and 2006 programs, as well her researches and her teacher training activities with PAS. The text presents the program, its evaluation conception and the music-pedagogical principles and purposes that guide the insertion of musical knowledge as compulsory evaluation’s object in the university entrance examination. The last program’s version has adopted an Evaluation’s Matrix with some music competences, abilities and evaluation’s objects. The development of music’s competences and abilities is oriented by a music repertoire that defi- nes the content and should be a way for development of musical practices and experiences (performance, improvisation and composition), reception (musical appraising) and context. In this process, the schools and its music teachers are responsible for create learning and teaching situations where the musical experience could be celebrated in sense of to promote a musical significant learning experience and the student’s success in PAS/UnB exams

Looking towards the Future of Language Assessment: Usability of Tablet PCs in Language Testing

This research addresses the change in how the Spanish University Entrance Examination can be delivered in the future. There is a wide acknowledgement that computer tests are very demanding for the delivering institutions which makes computer language testing difficult to implement. However, the use of tablet PCs can facilitate the delivery at even lower cost than the regular computer based language testing. 183 students in their last year of high school took a computer based language test which included reading, writing, listening and speaking. The research aspects were 1) whether they feel at ease with the tablet PC exam; 2) if they felt that visual aspects were accessible and 3) whether the interface organization was clear. The paper first has a brief description of the OPENPAU® platform, after it addresses the field study based on questionnaires and observations with students during the test delivery, finally the results indicate that this means of language test delivery could be adequate not only for the Spanish University Entrance Examination but for most standardized tests

Private Tutoring Expenditures in Turkey

This is the first study on private tutoring in Turkey. Private tutoring especially for the purpose of preparing for the competitive university entrance examination is an important, widespread phenomenon in Turkey. Private tutoring centers are commonly referred to as "dersane" in Turkish. This study first gives an overview of private tutoring centers. Next, it examines the determinants of private tutoring expenditures in Turkey using the results of the 1994 Household Expenditure Survey. The determinants examined within a Tobit model framework include total household expenditure, education levels of parents and other household characteristics. Such analysis of the household behavior of attempting to provide better education to their children will highlight the determinants of the demand for education and the intergenerational transfers in Turkey.Turkey, private tutoring