2.3.3 Time Pressure
Every test has its time allocation, which is considered as the physical setting. According to Bachman and Palmer (1996: 51), time allocation refers to the amount of time the test takers use in finishing each part and the whole test. They claim that there are two sorts of tests resulting from different time allocation. One is designed to be speeded tests, short ones in which not all the test takers are expected to manage to complete all the tasks. The other one is the power tests, in which longer time is given and test takers are expected to attempt every question task. Speeded tests tend to be easier than power tests because in the former kind, the texts and the questions are less difficult and test takers are required to give a quick response. Power tests seem to be more time-consuming and exhausting since test takers have to spare no efforts to concentrate in the whole test. In the IELTS reading test, a power test, time pressure could be a mechanical factor that affects candidates’ performance. If candidates fail to arrange their time or use improper reading strategies, their reading efficiency will greatly become influenced by time pressure.
2.4 Preparation Course for the IELTS Reading Test at School A
School A in Ningbo, China is a language school that has been running for 11 years. It provides IELTS preparation courses for the four modules of the IELTS test: listening, speaking, reading and writing. Throughout the 11 years, the language school has successfully helped a large number of candidates gain high band scores in the IELTS test. Its reputation attracts a great amount of IELTS candidates to enroll before they sit the test. The goal of the IELTS preparation course in this language school is to “prepare the candidates in terms of examination techniques”, which complies with the requirement of the IELTS preparation course according to the official checklist6. The reading preparation course investigated in this study aims to teach candidates test-taking strategies and reading skills officially required in the IELTS reading test, thereby fulfilling the candidates’ expectations.
6 To know more about the checklist of the IELTS preparation course, assess http://www.chinaielts.org/en/guide/suggestion2.shtml#c.