A Comparison of the Structural Relationships among Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking Components of the AP French Language Examination for AP Candidates and College Students

Sep 20, 2026

Dimensional structure of the 1987 AP French Language examination is evaluated across four populations using confirmatory linear factor analysis models. Item-parcel scores are used to address multiple-choice item factor-analysis challenges by grouping small mutually exclusive items aligned to the same underlying dimensions. Six models are tested within five data samples, comparing high school AP candidates with and without out-of-school French experience, plus candidates with substantial exposure abroad or regular home use of French, and a college third-year cohort. The exam measures four major dimensions tied to listening, reading, writing, and speaking, showing invariance of factor loadings and measurement errors for students without out-of-school experience.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages51

Reading Time2 h 9 min

AccessFree to download

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ED 389719 AUTHOR TITLE INSTITUTION REPORT NO PUB DATE NOTE PUB TYPE EDRS PRICE DESCRIPTORS IDENTIFIERS ABSTRACT DOCUMENT RESUME TM 024219 Morgan,Rick;Mazzeo,John A Comparis on of the Structural Relationships amongReading,Listening,Writing,and Speaking Componentsof the AP French Lsnguage Examination for APCandidates and College Students. Educational Testing Service,Princeton,N.J.ETS-RR-88-59Oct 8856p.Reports -Research/Technical(143) MF01/PCO3 Plus Postage. Advanced Placement Programs;*College Students;Comparative Ana1ysis;Error of Measurement;Experience;Factor Structure;*French;HigherEducation;High Schools;*High School Students;Language Proficiency;*Listening;Mu1tiple ChoiceTests;*Reading Comprehension;Second LanguageLearning;Speech;Test Items;Writing(Composition) *Advanced Placement Examinations(CEEB);ConfirmatoryFactor Analysis;Exploratory Factor Analysis;Structural Constituents The dimensional structure of the 1987 AdvancedPlacement(AP)French language examination was tested in fourpopulations using a series of confirmatory linear factor analysismudels.To mitigate problems with the linear factor analysis ofmultiple chcice items,the linear factor analysis of item parcelscores,made of small mutually exclusive collections of itemshypothesized to measure the same underlying dimension,was used.Sixconfirmatory factor analysis models were tested with each of fivedata samples.Two contained high school AP candidates with noout-of-school French language experience(n=1,500 each),and a thirdconsisted of candidates who had spent a significant amount of time ina F ench-speaking country(n=1,418).A fourth sample contained 477 APcandidates who regularly spoke or heard French at home,and the finalsample contained 302 students with no out-of-class experienceenrolled in third year college French.In all samples the examinationappeared to measure four major dimensions associated with listening,reading,writing,and speaking.For those without out-of-schooiexperience,the examination displayed invariance of factor 1oadingsand errors of measurement.Factor structures were similar for groupswith similar out-of-school French language experience.(Contains 15tables,1 figure,2 tabular appendixes,and 13 references.)(SLD) *☆***☆☆**☆*******k+k***k*☆*k*****☆*****☆**☆☆☆**k**☆*☆**☆*☆☆*☆**k*+*t*六Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made水 ☆from the original document.火 **t☆☆☆*☆*******☆*☆*☆☆★*kk☆☆+☆☆☆k*k*****☆****☆****k*kk****☆*t*ktt**k六☆水 ED389 719 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THISMATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY M.1. BeAUn D This document has been reproduced18cervd trom the 09Lon or oro⁴nizetionoriginatingit □ Minor changes have been mde to mprove reproduction qualty Ponts ofviewor opnuonatatedin thadocument do not nec8sarly (epres4nt ofhcielOERI postion or pohcy TO THE FDICATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER·ERIC # A COMPARISON OF THE STRUCTURAL RELATIONSHIPSAMONG READING,LISTENING,WRITING,ANDSPEAKING COMPONENTS OF THE AP FRENCHLANGUAGE EXAMINATION FOR AP CANDIDATESAND COLLEGE STUDENTS Rick Morgan John Mazzeo BEST COPY AVAILABLE Educational Testing ServicePrinceton,New JerseyOctober 1988 A Comparison of the Structural Relationships among Reading,Listening,Writing,and Speaking Components of the AP FrenchLanguage Examination for AP Candidates and College Students Rick Morgan and John Mazzeo …… ….… … ………… ….:……:……_. Abstract Yearly the Advanced Placement Program administers an examination to highschool students measuring French language skills that students might acquireafter six semesters of college French Language courses.The dimensionalstructure of the 1987 AP French Language exam was tested in four populationsusing a series of confirmatory linear factor analysis models. In order tomitigate problems associated with the linear factor analysis of multiple-choice items,the linear factor analysis of item parcel scores,made up ofsmall mutually exclusive collecti

FAQs

What is the main purpose of the study on the AP French Language exam?

To test whether the 1987 AP French Language exam has a dimensional structure that consistently reflects four language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

How do the researchers handle factor analysis for multiple-choice items?

They use item parcel scores, constructed as small, mutually exclusive collections of items hypothesized to measure the same underlying dimension, reducing problems seen in direct linear factor analysis of individual items.

Do the exam results show measurement invariance across student groups?

For groups lacking out-of-school French language experience, the exam displays invariance in factor loadings and errors of measurement, with similar factor structures among groups sharing similar out-of-school experience.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Caleb Sterling