Abstract:
There is still relatively little research on cognitive diagnostic analysis of large-scale, high-stakes language tests to assess the individualized strengths and weaknesses of every learner, and even less on the accuracy and applicability of the feedback information in post-hoc learning and teaching. Using both cognitive diagnostic approach in the reading section of a national Spanish test and qualitative data from the learners’ bachelor thesis drafts, the precision of the diagnostic results was examined to verify its usefulness for better literature review and discussion. The results showed that this method has an appropriate model fit with the test performance, and is able to determine the skill profile of each test taker, which is not always consistent with the scores provided by classical test analysis. By triangulating the diagnostic reports and the literature review and discussion of the learners’ thesis drafts, it is clear that the cognitive diagnostic approach in a large-scale test can assess the reading skills more accurately and the feedbacks are valuable for remedying the future academic reading and thesis revision.