Test construction and administration practices among Lecturers and staff of examinations unit of the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

The study assessed the extent to which lecturers applied principles of test construction and administration in the University of Cape Coast. The descriptive survey design was used for the study. The census sampling procedure was used to include 131 lecturers in four faculties/schools and 40 Examinations Unit staff in the University of Cape Coast for the study. Seven research questions guided the study. A 67-item and 14-item questionnaires for lecturers and Examinations Units were used for data collection. The Cronbach’s coefficient alpha for the lecturers and Examinations Unit questionnaires were 0.73 and 0.70 respectively. The results showed that, to a great extent, lecturers were aware of the test construction principles. Lecturers indicated that they defined the purpose of every test prior to construction, determined the test items format and prepared marking scheme as soon as test items were written. Again, it was found out that lecturers were aware of the test administration principles. Students were made aware of the rules and regulations governing the test during test administration. The study also showed that lecturers had difficulty in controlling large classes during quizzes and examinations. It is recommended that lecturers are given timely in-service training on test item construction and administration. Furthermore, university management should allocate funds for workshops, seminars and others for lecturers on test item construction and administration.