Language testing is defined as evaluating an individual's proficiency in using a particular language effectively. There are two basic types of language tests: achievement tests, which measure content from a specific course, and proficiency tests, which measure general language ability regardless of course content. When developing and administering language tests, it is important to consider their validity, reliability, practicality, and instructional value. Validity refers to how well a test measures what it is intended to measure. Reliability means a test produces consistent results under similar conditions. Practicality is determined by the resources required to administer the test. Instructional value refers to how easily test results can be used to improve teaching and learning.

2. Definition
“Language Testing is the practice and study of
evaluating the proficiency of an individual in using
a particular language effectively.”
According to Oiler “A Language testing is a
device that tries to assess how much has been
learned in a foreign language course, or some part
of a course by learners.”

3. According to brown “A language testing is a
method of measuring a person’s ability, knowledge,
or performance in a given domain.
 The purpose of language test is to determine a
person’s knowledge and ability in the language
and to discriminate that person’s ability from that
of others.

4.  A basic test is achievement test and proficiency
test.
 Achievement tests generally measure specific
content covered in a course or a programme.
 Proficiency tests measure general language
ability and are not tied to the content of a particular
course or a programme.

5. Language proficiency is the ability of an
individual to speak or perform in an acquired
language.
 The primary purpose of assessment is to improve
students learning and teachers teaching as both
respond to the information it provides.
 Assessment for learning is an ongoing process
that arises out of the interaction between teaching
and learning.

6. The focus on language tests will cover
 Validity
 Reliability
 Practicality
 Instructional value

7. Reliability
Reliability is a matter how consistently it
produces similar results on different occasions
under similar circumstances.
Validity
Validity is related to how well the tests do what it
is supposed to do, namely to inform us about the
examinee’s progress toward some goals in a
curriculum or course study, or to differentiate levels
of ability among various examinees on some tasks.

8.  Practicality
It must be determined in relation to the cost in term
of materials, time, and effort that it requires. It will
include the preparation, administration, scoring and
interpretation of the test.
Instrumental value
It is pertained to how easily it can be fitted into an
educational programme, whether the latter involves
teaching a foreign language ,teaching language arts to
native speakers, or verbally imparting subject matter in a
monolingual or multilingual school setting.