From Conventional to Technology-Assisted Alternative Assessment for Effective and Efficient Measurement: A Review of the Recent Trends in Comparability Studies

There is no doubt that using computers in language testing as well as in language learning has some advantages and disadvantages. Despite the widespread use of computer-based testing, relatively few studies have been conducted on the equivalency of two test modes especially in academic contexts. However, some institutes and educational settings are going towards using computerized test due to its advantages without doing any comparability investigation beforehand. Perhaps because they mostly believe that if the items are identical, the testing mode is irrelevant. As the use of computerized test types is rapidly expanding, we need appropriate use of technology as a facet of language learning and testing. Regarding this accelerating development in computerized tests in language testing, further investigations are needed to ensure the validity and fairness of this administration mode in comparison with traditional one. This study provides a brief discussion on the importance of substituting CBT for PPT and necessity of doing comparability study before this transition. It presents the significance of the study followed by an illustration of the background of the comparability studies of CBT and PPT.