Teachers’ attitudes toward exercise typologies in the computer-based university entrance examination

Abstract

This article stems from research carried out within the Paulex Universitas Project in order to gather relevant information regarding 2nd year baccalaureate professors’ preferences in terms of exercise typology with a view to analysing the feasibility of implementing a computer-based foreign language exam within the University Entrance Examination in Spain and, more specifically, the suitability of exam automation, professors’ preferred exercise typologies and the relationship between them. A total of 214 professors completed a questionnaire, administered in accordance with the Delphi method, enquiring about the typologies they preferred in relation to the language skills to be assessed. Regarding test automation, there was evidence that professors clearly accepted the proposed computer-based language exam. As for exercise typology, professors preferred open answer/input and multiple-choice exercises. With regard to the relationship between exercise typologies, there appears to be no visible marked tendency toward a specific type of task, as it is unclear whether communicative tasks or objective information tasks are preferred. Findings also showed that, despite some reservations, teachers consider computer use an overall good system for exam delivery regardless of the language skill being assessed.