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What is the
LLaMa test?
- based
on a so-called c-test in which test takers sit before a computer
screen and fill in gaps in four selected texts of increasing
complexity
- the
gaps correspond to the second half of truncated words at regular
intervals (such as every 4th word) in the text
- each
of the four texts contains 25 gaps
- test
takers have 30 minutes to complete the test
- they
score one point for each word properly completed, for a maximum of 100
points
- traditional
c-tests are designed to provide an objective assessment of a test
taker’s general language proficiency; accordingly, they employ
‘neutral’ texts from newspapers, magazines, and other common sources
- the
LLaMa test, by contrast, provides an objective assessment of the test
taker’s ability to compete in a demanding LLM programme in English;
accordingly, texts for the LLaMa test are chosen from case decisions
of the House of Lords (Supreme Court of the UK), United States Supreme
Court, Supreme Court of Canada, and High Court of Australia
Why the LLaMa
test?
- specifically
tests legal reading and writing proficiency, the most important
language skills needed in an LLM programme
- easy
and inexpensive to administer
- unlike
the TOEFL, it is offered in Münster
- students
in Münster already possess a high level of English language
proficiency
- c-tests
are used as an admissions test at several German universities,
including Münster and Munich
- scores
on c-tests provide consistently reliable estimates of language ability
References:
http://www.uni-duisburg.de/FB3/ANGLING/FORSCHUNG/HOWTODO.HTM
Coleman, Jim., Rüdiger Grotjahn and Ulrich Raatz,. University Language
Learning and the C-Test. Bochum: AKS-Verlag.
Grotjahn, R. (Ed.), 2006.
Der C-Test: Theoretische Grundlagen und praktische Anwendungen, Band
4. Bochum: AKS-Verlag.
Lienert, Gustav und Ulrich Raatz, 1998. Testaufbau und Testanalyse.
Weinheim: BeltzPVU.
Norris, John
M., 2006. Development and evaluation of a curriculum-based German
C-test for placement purposes. In Rüdiger Grotjahn, ed. Der
C-Test: Theoretische Grundlagen und praktische Anwendungen. New York:
Peter Lang, 45-83.
Sigott,
Günther (ed.) ,2004. Towards Identifying the C-Test Construct. New
York: Peter Lang.
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