A Comparative Study of Vocabulary Assessment in Public and Private Sector Universities in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

The study evaluates 1st year English General Undergraduate (BS, B.E, and BA) semesters' examination papers and their respective aims and objectives collected from Karachi's public and private sector universities. A total of 15 papers were collected to compare vocabulary assessing practices of public and private sector universities. The research centres on checking how well the semester papers of English General assess the vocabulary knowledge compared to devised aims and objectives. The methodology preferred to conduct the study is case study methodology under the qualitative research approach's paradigm. The findings reveal that both universities' sectors test a fraction of words on a superficial level in reading and writing skills in examinations. Both universities follow the old method of testing vocabulary, which cannot guarantee communicative competence in students. However, Public sector Universities are giving more emphasis on checking vocabulary in examination papers. The study suggests revising the overall assessment criterion and course objectives related to vocabulary, which entails updating current teaching and testing practices as a whole.