The Relationship between Test-Taking Strategies and Thai Students’ Reading Comprehension Test Performance

Abstract

Tests are often applied to evaluate students’ academic performance in all educational contexts. In order to be successful in the tests, students are required not only to possess the knowledge of the subject, but also test-taking strategies which enable them to gain higher test score. The present study was aimed at investigating the relationship between the students’ test-taking strategies use and their reading comprehension test performance and the types and frequency of the test-taking strategies used among high and low proficiency students. This research employed the mixed-methods approach. A total of sixty eight university students at an international university in Thailand took part in this study. They were asked to take a reading comprehension proficiency test and a questionnaire to find out about their use of the test taking strategies during the test. The results revealed that the test-taking strategies had a significantly positive influence on students’ reading comprehension test performances. Although high proficiency students used the test-taking strategies more frequently than those in low proficiency group, both groups of students were found to similarly employ a variety of techniques to cope with the challenges in the reading test. The findings of this present study not only empirically verified the benefits of the test-taking strategies, but also emphasizes the necessity of the formal instruction of the strategies used in the English tests, especially the ones considered most effective for tertiary students, to ensure their greater academia success.