Development and validation of the test of spelling competence (TCORT) in incoming university students

Abstract

This study aims to present a test to assess spelling competence (TCORT) in incoming Spanish university students and to obtain validity evidence to support its use. The starting point was a bank of 73 items covering the most relevant spelling areas of the Spanish language, and the 37 most representative items were selected from the information provided by six experts. Afterwards, a pilot study of the TCORT was carried out with 602 students. The final version consisted of 31 items, with sufficient internal consistency (α = .90; ω = .89) and an invariant unidimensional structure between sexes. It also correlated significantly with other variables, such as previous performance (r = .37, p <.01), verbal reasoning (r = .27, p <.01) and spelling, measured with another tool not adapted to the target population (r = .45, p <.01). Validity evidence based on the test content, internal structure and relations to other variables supported the use of the test to assess spelling competences in incoming university students. The usefulness of TCORT in providing relevant data to facilitate the creation of university policies aimed at promoting spelling competence training in university students is discussed.