Test Development

How Is a New Test Developed?

Developing a new test format takes some time. Here you’ll find a brief overview of the individual steps during development.

Planning

Examinations need to suit the requirements of the future exam candidates. This is why telc test developers carry out both a needs and a target group analysis before beginning. Only then will they create a first draft of a suitable testing format – establishing the likely thematic areas, subtests, text types, distribution of score points and so on.

Construction of a mock examination

After the initial planning has been completed, the developer creates a mock examination draft. Several telc test developers, native speaking item writers and other experts with both theoretical and practical experience carefully review the results.

Test trials ascertain the functionality of the test formats – making sure that the new test is equally usable by candidates, teachers and examiners.  The test developers also create instructions for the test’s implementation, answer sheets, examiners’ sheets for oral tests and, of course, the valued telc certificates.

Developing the test versions

When the concept is finalised, the test developer creates the first versions of the test.