Exploring the Reliability of Current Summative Assessment Practices in English at the Secondary Level in Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Reliability is a much important aspect of assessment activity. This study aims to determine what practices are carried out to maintain, ensure and improve the reliability of the certification examination in English at the secondary level in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (Pakistan). There is only one intermediate and secondary education board in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. All the sub-examiners (test graders), approximately 300 in number, were taken as a population of the study. A sample of 100 sub-examiners was drawn. The researchers applied a survey design and used a self-structured questionnaire as a data collection tool. Data were analysed through simple statistical measures, i.e., frequencies and percentages. The study results showed that examiners who mark the answer scripts are well-qualified and experienced but not trained. Some risks to the reliability of grading were also found. This study implies that immediate measures to improve the reliability of summative assessment systems, such as training examiners, must be taken.