Comparing standard setting methods while determining cut point for English proficiency exam

The aim of this study is to compare the cutoff scores of the test-centered and the examinee-centered methods. 11 judges took part in determining the cut-off score for Angoff Y/N and Nedelsky methods and evaluated the "English Preparatory Test" consisting of 80 multiple choice questions. For the Contrasting and Borderline Group methods, 18 judges took part and evaluated the performances of 163 students who studied English for a year. After collecting the data from the judges, the cutoff scores for each method were estimated. The lowest cutoff score was determined by Nedelsky method (40.08) while the highest one was determined by Angoff Y/N (54). No significant difference was found between the Contrasting and Borderline groups in terms of the percentage of students who were considered successful by taking points above the cutoff scores; but the differences between the other methods were significant. In addition, it was found that there is a compliance between all the other methods in terms of classifying the students as successful and unsuccessful. There is a weak (0.46) relationship between the minimum passing scores determined by the Angoff Y/N and Nedelsky methods. It was also found that there is a significant difference between the current cutoff score of the university (48) and the percentage of students who were considered successful according to the cutoff scores of other methods. Finally, it is concluded that there is a positive and high relationship between the students' end-of-year grades and the "success-failure" situations determined according to each method.