Cheating on Testing: Cramming on Test Preparation

Professor Glenn Fulcher’s research has influenced language testing and assessment in two ways: in proposing a new understanding of data-driven speaking test design, and in drawing attention to the core identity of language testers. The former has had a powerful impact on practical speaking testing and assessment. The latter has asked a very essential question of what language testers do, exploring philosophical, historical, and social ideas from a pragmatic view of language testing and assessment. In particular, Fulcher (2015)’s chapters on meritocracy and values in language tests explain why we have been using tests throughout history to discern vital roles of language tests and yet why people attempt to cheat on them, in relation to ‘three Ms’ ideas including meritocracy, material success, and motivation. Within this view, this paper aims to review TOEFL cramming practices on test preparation, using Fulcher (2015)’s notion of cheating. Korean test takers study TOEFL cramming skills at test preparation companies to acquire admission to schools, called Hagwons in Korean. However, there is little research regarding cramming practices in terms of cheating. Collected data from my doctoral study (Kim, 2016) were reviewed. It was found that cramming skills as a form of cheating were explicitly taught in class, including use of actual test questions, memorisation of sample answers, and the use of a testing environment. The study revealed reasons to lead the cramming skills: (1) practical benefits of test scores, (2) speaking and writing sections and (3) investments of test preparation. The implications of the study are to raise awareness of the importance of links between cheating and cramming in the field of language testing and teaching.