TESTING, ASSESSMENT and KPDS (foreign language proficiency examination for state employees)– What does this exam assess?

Education system in our country has almost completely changed in recent years. In the same vein, the foreign language teaching has nearly entirely changed. Adopted all over Europe as well as Turkey, Common European Framework for Languages stipulated by the European Council has ultimately affected and changed the foreign language teaching system. Accordingly, foreign language learning has necessitated a new learning – teaching approach which aims at improving the communication-based skills and the six main levels includes a description of what a language learner can do for each level. However, in our country, KPDS/üDS and similar tests which are used as a means of assessing the language proficiency levels do not conform to today’s conditions. These examinations have become obsolete in the scientific sense mainly because it is uncertain what those examinations test. The study discusses the validity of the KPDS exams in general terms, and asserts the necessity of a new examination system.