A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners
Abstract
This research focuses on the development and validation of intermediate level English proficiency test designed in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The test was constructed through a multi-phase process involving item selection based on national curriculum standards, expert reviews, pilot testing, and statistical analysis. The process began with the careful selection of 30 test items from the official question pool of the Turkish Ministry of National Education. Expert evaluations were conducted by eight professionals from the fields of English language education and measurement. Using Lawshe’s Content Validity Ratio (CVR), items with insufficient content relevance were eliminated, and further improvements were made. The final version of the test was administered to a total of 190 eleventh-grade students from two public high schools in Turkey. Item analysis showed acceptable difficulty levels (ranging from 0.34 to 0.96, with a mean of 0.71) and discrimination values (ranging from 0.11 to 0.68, with a mean of 0.34). The internal consistency of the test was confirmed with a KR-20 reliability coefficient of 0.79. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a unidimensional structure, with one main factor accounting for 26% of the total variance. The results indicate that the developed instrument is both valid and reliable for measuring intermediate-level English proficiency
Keywords
Supporting Institution
No supporting instituion
References
- Little, D. (2006). The CEFR: Content, purpose, origin, reception and impact. Language Assessment Quarterly, 3(3), 167–180. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15434311laq0303_2
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Curriculum Development in Education, Curriculum Evaluation in Education
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
July 19, 2026
Submission Date
July 29, 2025
Acceptance Date
June 8, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 3
APA
Kızıklı, G., & Ekici, G. (2026). A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners. The Universal Academic Research Journal, 8(3), 117-129. https://doi.org/10.55236/tuara.1750837
AMA
1.Kızıklı G, Ekici G. A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners. The Universal Academic Research Journal. 2026;8(3):117-129. doi:10.55236/tuara.1750837
Chicago
Kızıklı, Gülin, and Gulay Ekici. 2026. “A Multi-Phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners”. The Universal Academic Research Journal 8 (3): 117-29. https://doi.org/10.55236/tuara.1750837.
EndNote
Kızıklı G, Ekici G (July 1, 2026) A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners. The Universal Academic Research Journal 8 3 117–129.
IEEE
[1]G. Kızıklı and G. Ekici, “A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners”, The Universal Academic Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 117–129, July 2026, doi: 10.55236/tuara.1750837.
ISNAD
Kızıklı, Gülin - Ekici, Gulay. “A Multi-Phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners”. The Universal Academic Research Journal 8/3 (July 1, 2026): 117-129. https://doi.org/10.55236/tuara.1750837.
JAMA
1.Kızıklı G, Ekici G. A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners. The Universal Academic Research Journal. 2026;8:117–129.
MLA
Kızıklı, Gülin, and Gulay Ekici. “A Multi-Phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners”. The Universal Academic Research Journal, vol. 8, no. 3, July 2026, pp. 117-29, doi:10.55236/tuara.1750837.
Vancouver
1.Gülin Kızıklı, Gulay Ekici. A Multi-phase Approach to Constructing an English Proficiency Test for Intermediate Level Learners. The Universal Academic Research Journal. 2026 Jul. 1;8(3):117-29. doi:10.55236/tuara.1750837