An analysis on the english final test items for The second semester of twelfth grade students of Sma negeri 5 surakarta in 2008/2009 academic year (a descriptive study)

Oleh :
Arie lestari septiannawati K2205027 - K2205027 - Fak. KIP

ABSTRACT The objective of the study is to know whether or not English final test items for the twelfth grade students are considered appropriate. The motive of the study is the existing phenomenon in the teaching and learning process which emphasizes its measurement through tests. The concern of the study is the appropriateness of multiple choice and essay test items. The study focuses on the description of the test items’ appropriateness based on the quantitative data. The subject of the study is the English final test items for the second semester of twelfth grade students of SMA Negeri 5 Surakarta in 2008/2009 academic year. The data were taken from 100 students in four classes. The appropriateness of the test items is analyzed using item analysis technique. The analysis comprises three aspects i.e. index of discriminating power, level of difficulty, and the effectiveness of distracters. The appropriateness of the three aspects must be fulfilled if the test item is multiple choice. Meanwhile, if the item is essay, the last aspect is not included. The study results a description of each test item based on quantitative data proceeded in the item analysis. Global result shows that there are only 27.5% of the total test items in the type of multiple choice that fulfil criteria of a good test items analyzed from the three aspects. Meanwhile, the essay test items are satisfactory and able to fulfil the two criteria. Suggestion for teacher, test publisher, and other researcher is a follow up for the result of the study. The test maker should consider students’ ability in the subject and construct the items with paying attention to the aspects required in good item criteria as well as good criteria of scoring the test.