Abstract:

Taking mock exams is an important learning tool when preparing for language exams. Learning from own mistakes has been a widely accepted learning method, and therefore, receiving an effective and constructive feedback following a mock exam may serve as a key incentive for students in their further improvement prior to the real exam. This paper provides analysis and comparison of students’ speaking performance during mock and real exams as well as the evaluation of effectiveness of the feedback provided after the mock exams. The analysis focuses on key areas that students should improve in in order to succeed at the real exam.

First, the students were given a mock exam followed by oral feedback together with recommendations for language skills improvement including methods and techniques facilitating their learning progress. Then the feedback was studied through a set of questionnaires and subsequently analyzed to assess its effectiveness. The first questionnaire was given to students immediately after their mock exam and the second questionnaire was completed by the students after the real exam. Subjective understanding of the feedback received was compared with the real exam results and with the analysis of the individual students’ performance at both exams. Finally, conclusions and recommendations related to feedback effectiveness were proposed.

The results of the study show the importance and effectiveness of taking mock speaking exams, it also identifies the areas which are decisive for real exam success as well the areas which are either less or more probable for a student to improve in after the mock exam feedback. In addition, the paper concludes the analysis with the findings related to the differences between online and face-to-face exams.

Keywords:

Language assessment, mock exams, feedback, feedback effectiveness.