Test-taking strategies of Arab EFL learners on multiple choice tests

Abstract

Many studies have focused on the function of learners' strategies in a variety of EFL domains. However, research on test-taking strategies (TTSs) has been limited, even though such strategies might influence test scores and, as a result, test validity. Motivated by this fact and in light of our own experience as EFL test-makers, this article will discuss TTS in light of the related literature in the Arab world intending to show that Arab EFL learners use different TTS strategies to improve their test performance on multiple choice test items. The paper then concludes by showing some interesting strategic behaviours exhibited by Arab EFL learners.