Since washback is the central theme of this paper, let us begin by clarifying that term. Washback has been defined by Alderson and Wall (1993) as "the way that tests are . . . perceived to influence classroom practices, and syllabus and curriculum planning" (p. 117). A key feature of this concept, they point out, is that it impels teachers as well as students ". . . to do things they would not necessarily otherwise do" (ibid.).
Bachman and Palmer (1996, pp. 29-35) regard washback as a feature of a wider phenomenon known as test impact. They suggest test impact should be viewed both in terms of its micro effects in a classroom as well as its macro effects on educational systems and societies at large. Just as micro and macro economics have synergistic patterns, a synergism often exists between micro and macro test impact. In many cases, tests both influence and are influenced by the social climates in which they are used. However, the TOEIC test itself has been relatively impervious to change for several decades. Until a revised form of this test was announced in July 2005, the test had been fossilized for decades.
A concept closely related to washback is consequential validity. Some authors regard these two as synonymous. Linn, Baker, and Dunbar (1991) describe consequential validity as the intentional as well as unintentional effects of an assessment tool on teaching and learning. In other words, to evaluate how effective a test is, they emphasize that we must also consider its consequences on students and course content. Since at many universities in Asia now offer classes explicitly to help students raise their TOEIC scores, the consequential validity of this test is worth considering. For many schools, the TOEIC is not just a possible measure of English proficiency: it is a core part of the English curriculum. Though the test was not designed for that purpose, Hilke and Wadden (1997) have pointed out that it is common for high-stakes tests to interface with the curriculum closely and become a facet of the curriculum.
Though the concept of washback is evolving as new research comes to light, in this paper we will work with Anderson and Wall's standing definition of washback. Those desiring a more complete discussion of this concept should refer to a recent volume by Cheng, Watanabe, and Curtis (2003).