New Insights into cognitive processes: researching IELTS reading tasks though eye-tracking technology.

Bax, S. and C. J. Weir

March 2011 to December 2012

Funding Body: British Council

Summary:  This project used innovative eye tracking technology, together with questionnaires and interviews, to investigate test-takers' cognitive processing as they completed onscreen IELTS (International English Language Testing System) reading test items. Findings demonstrated significant differences between successful and unsuccessful test-takers on a number of dimensions, including their ability to read expeditiously and their focus on particular aspects of the test items. The findings should be of value to examination boards, and also to teachers and learners.

Download: www.ielts.org/pdf/IELTS_Annual_review_2010.pdf