Setting Language Standards For International Medical Graduates

Setting standards is the process by which the critical boundary point used to interpret test performance is established. Critical decisions around standard setting include the general approach to be taken, and the nature and source of any contributing human judgments. In the project we present in this chapter, the standard is the criterion level on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test that overseas-trained doctors must attain in order to be allowed to practice medicine in Britain. The major focus of the chapter is on the standard-setting procedures that were carried out, the problems that were encountered, and the decisions that were reached. Cut-scores arrived at by means of subjective judgments, descriptive analysis of score equivalent Bands, and MFRM analysis of appropriate skills papers are presented and compared. We conclude by proposing suggestions for improving future standard-setting events in medical contexts.