This paper analyses basic theories and empirical research on language test validity in order to provide the notion, the classification of language test validity, the validation working frames and the trends of empirical research. | A REVIEW ON VALIDATING LANGUAGE TESTS Dinh Minh Thu* Haiphong University, 171 Phan Dang Luu, Kien An, Hai Phong, Vietnam Received 26 June 2018 Revised 22 January 2019; Accepted 25 January 2019 Abstract: Validity in language testing and assessment has its long fundamental role in research along with reliability (Bachman & Palmer, 1996). This paper analyses basic theories and empirical research on language test validity in order to provide the notion, the classification of language test validity, the validation working frames and the trends of empirical research. Four key findings come out from the analysis. Firstly, language test validity refers to an evaluative judgment of the language test quality on the ground of evidence of the integrated components of test content, criterion and consequences through the interpretation of the meaning and utility of test scores. Secondly, construct validity is a dominating term in modern validity classification. The chronic division of construct validity into prior and post ones can help researchers have a clearer validation option. Plus, test validation can be grounded in light of Messick (1989), Bachman (1996) and Weir (2005). Finally, almost all empirical research on test validity the researcher has addressed concerns international and national high-stakes proficiency tests. The research results open gaps in test validation research for the future. Keywords: language assessment, test usefulness, construct validity, validation 1. Introduction 1 Testing and assessment, shortened as assessment, has become a mainstream in global language education for several decades (Bachman, 2000). Bachman & Palmer’s (1996) framework of test usefulness has functioned as a fundamental basis for professional English language test development, implementation and evaluation all over the world. It is a combination of six components, namely reliability, validity, authenticity, interactiveness, practicality and impact. Amongst this integration, .
