Pros and Cons Assessment

Advantages:
Easy and objective to mark
Learners see it as valid
Can test a wide range of language and skills
Disadvantages:
Quite dull
Does not assess productive ability
Random guessing can distort results

2.gap-fill tests

Advantages:
Quite objective to mark
Learners see it as valid
Can test productive ability indirectly
Can be adapted easily to make it harder or easier (e.g., by giving multiple-choice alternatives)
Can be used to target a range of language and lexis
Disadvantages:
Can require judgement if there are multiple possibilities
Does not directly assess productive ability
Random guessing can distort results

3.re-ordering tasks: paragraphs, sentences, phrases, words

Advantages:
Adaptable: can be used with a range of text types
Learners see it as valid
Can test receptive ability indirectly
Can be used to target syntax or discourse
Disadvantages:
Multiple correct ordering is sometimes possible so marking is more difficult
Time consuming to prepare and do
Does not target productive ability

4. sentence transformation / skeleton sentences

Advantages:
Quite objective to mark
Learners see it as valid
Targets particular structures directly
Can be used to target a range of language and lexis
Disadvantages:
Can require judgement if there are multiple possibilities
Lack of lexical knowledge can interfere with the ability to do the grammar task

5. information transfer (e.g., diagram to written text, diagram to spoken text)

Advantages:
Directly assesses productive ability
Learners see it as valid
Can be adapted to make it harder or easier
Can be used to target a range of language and specific lexis (e.g., describing trends, making comparisons)
Disadvantages:
Time consuming to prepare
Advantages students who access graphical information easily
Subjective marking

6.guided writing or speaking (structured response tests)

Advantages:
Can be more objectively marked than free writing / speaking
Learners see it as valid
Can test productive ability directly
Can be adapted to make it harder or easier
Can be used to target a range of communicative language functions and lexis
Disadvantages:
Can advantage students familiar with the topic
Cannot be purely objectively marked
Requires reading / listening comprehension to produce accurate responses in speaking or writing

7.one-to-one or paired interviews (role plays etc.)