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A Systematic Review of Research Characteristics on the Construct Validity of the Pearson Test of English Academic

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Title: A Systematic Review of Research Characteristics on the Construct Validity of the Pearson Test of English Academic
Language: English
Authors: Phat Hong Cao (ORCID 0000-0002-7993-7327), Csaba Z. Szabo (ORCID 0000-0003-1375-0903), Barry Lee Reynolds (ORCID 0000-0002-3984-2059)
Source: European Journal of Education. 2026 61(1).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Information Analyses
Descriptors: Literature Reviews, Second Language Learning, Language Tests, English (Second Language), Measurement, Evaluation Methods, Construct Validity, Educational Research
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Pearson Test of English Academic
DOI: 10.1111/ejed.70419
ISSN: 0141-8211
1465-3435
Abstract: The construct validity of global-scale language proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA), is crucial for ensuring accurate measurement of underlying theoretical concepts. Despite a plethora of studies that address different aspects of construct validity of the PTEA, the results have been mixed. Using a systematic review approach, this study evaluated the features of 40 PTEA construct validity studies, focusing on their research aims, construct characteristics, and methodologies. Results reveal that a variety of aspects of construct validity have been examined, with a predominant focus on a combination of linguistic and background trait-oriented constructs (e.g., gender factor or cognitive demand), and quantitative analyses have been primarily employed. The findings additionally highlight discrepancies in the conceptualisations of constructs, which consequently lead to variations in the adopted theoretical frameworks and the methods for construct validation. Recommendations for enhancing construct validity and future research directions for the PTEA are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1497835
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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  Data: A Systematic Review of Research Characteristics on the Construct Validity of the Pearson Test of English Academic
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Phat+Hong+Cao%22">Phat Hong Cao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7993-7327">0000-0002-7993-7327</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Csaba+Z%2E+Szabo%22">Csaba Z. Szabo</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1375-0903">0000-0003-1375-0903</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Barry+Lee+Reynolds%22">Barry Lee Reynolds</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3984-2059">0000-0002-3984-2059</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(1).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 15
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Literature+Reviews%22">Literature Reviews</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Tests%22">Language Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Measurement%22">Measurement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Evaluation+Methods%22">Evaluation Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Construct+Validity%22">Construct Validity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Research%22">Educational Research</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SU" term="%22Pearson+Test+of+English+Academic%22">Pearson Test of English Academic</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/ejed.70419
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  Data: 0141-8211<br />1465-3435
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  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: The construct validity of global-scale language proficiency tests, such as the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA), is crucial for ensuring accurate measurement of underlying theoretical concepts. Despite a plethora of studies that address different aspects of construct validity of the PTEA, the results have been mixed. Using a systematic review approach, this study evaluated the features of 40 PTEA construct validity studies, focusing on their research aims, construct characteristics, and methodologies. Results reveal that a variety of aspects of construct validity have been examined, with a predominant focus on a combination of linguistic and background trait-oriented constructs (e.g., gender factor or cognitive demand), and quantitative analyses have been primarily employed. The findings additionally highlight discrepancies in the conceptualisations of constructs, which consequently lead to variations in the adopted theoretical frameworks and the methods for construct validation. Recommendations for enhancing construct validity and future research directions for the PTEA are discussed.
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  Data: 2026
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      – SubjectFull: Language Tests
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